When travelers take to the road for the holidays, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) encourages them to be prepared for winter driving conditions.
Before traveling, be informed about weather and road conditions. Call 511 anytime from any phone in Kansas or 1-866-511-KDOT (5368) from anywhere in the U.S. to find out about the latest driving conditions for the Kansas Turnpike and any Interstate, U.S. or state highway in Kansas and Nebraska. Phone numbers for road conditions in other states surrounding Kansas are also provided. Information is provided free from a landline phone; however, for cellular phone users, cell minutes may apply but there should be no roaming fee.
“The 511 phone system is a valuable source of travel information,” said Barb Blue, KDOT spokesperson. “Kansas 511 received its two millionth call on Nov 11, 2008 and we’re pleased 511 is used by so many.”
Road information can also be obtained by visiting the 511 Travel Information Web site at http://511.ksdot.org. The site also provides links to other information, such as Closed Roads and Driving Conditions Lists, weather, travel information for other states and more. Travelers can also use their handheld mobile devices, such as Smartphones or Blackberries to access a text report for construction project information by visiting http://511mm.ksdot.org.
In early 2009, 25 additional camera images of traffic and road conditions along I-70, I-135 and US-75 will be added to the Web site.
In addition to being informed and remembering to take it slow if the weather is bad, KDOT reminds travelers to prepare for safe winter driving by inspecting and winterizing their vehicles; allowing extra time to travel; staying attentive to icy conditions and avoiding excessive actions while steering, braking or accelerating; not using cruise control on icy roads; not following snow plows too closely, and wearing their seat belts.
McPherson, Kan. —
