ORLANDO, Fla. — As millions of travelers hit the road this Labor Day holiday weekend, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) reminds travelers to plan trips in advance and call 511 before traveling to hear updates on crashes, congestion, construction and more on Florida’s interstates, the Turnpike and other major metropolitan roadways.
Travelers can also visit the new FL511.com Web site for traffic information, to view traffic cameras and sign up for free My Florida 511 personalized services. My Florida 511 users can create customized routes to hear travel information on their routes first when calling 511. Users can also register to receive traffic alerts via a phone call, e-mail and/or text message. These alerts can be customized by choosing the time of day, day of week and type or severity of incidents.
FDOT expects many travelers to be on the road this weekend as several of Florida’s colleges kick off their football season including the University of Florida, Florida State University, the University of Central Florida and the University of South Florida.
The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) also reminds drivers that using the free 511 service to prepare for delays before getting on the road could reduce incidents. “Calling 511 prepares travelers for traffic conditions so they know what to expect on the roadway,” said FHP’s Sgt. Kim Montes.
The 511 calls are free and accessible from land lines or cell phones, however cell phone minutes apply.
511 Tips
- Speak as clearly as possible and minimize any background noise – including radios, open windows, air conditioning and other people talking.
- Say “traffic”, “travel times”, “public transit”, “airports and seaports”, or “other options”
- Say “next,” “previous,” “stop” or “repeat” to navigate through the phone menus more quickly.
- Say “main menu” at any time to start over.
- Say “help” if you need more instruction.
- Callers can switch to touch-tone mode by pressing 88 at any time during their call.
- Check your cell phone strength when placing a call; weak reception may cause voice recognition problems.
Safety Tips
- Call 511 before you hit the road, at a rest area or have a passenger call to avoid talking while driving.
- Call 511 before you enter a new roadway to become aware of current road conditions.
- Customize your trip before you leave home with My Florida 511 personalized routes at www.FL511.com to minimize time spent on the phone.
- Drive slowly and keep your lights on low beam in low visibility.
- Always wear a seat belt.
- Don’t drink and drive!
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