511 for springbreakers

FDOT urges Spring Breakers to use the free 511 service for safer Florida travel



Spring Break drivers can customize their travel routes to Florida’s world-renowned sun, surf and sand with the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) free 511 Traffic Information Service and My Florida 511 Internet feature at FL511.com. With millions expected to travel throughout the state, FDOT urges Florida drivers to use the free 511 phone and Internet service for real-time information on traffic conditions, construction updates and severe weather alerts.



“Many of Florida's major universities have coinciding Spring Breaks this year,” said Mark B. Rosenberg, Chancellor of the State University System of Florida. “This means more students than normal will be driving home or to a vacation destination. To increase safety on the roadways, students should use safety tools, like FDOT’s free 511 service.”



Schools that have overlapping Spring Breaks from March 10 to 14 include Florida State University, University of Florida, University of Central Florida, University of South Florida, Florida A & M and University of Miami.



Before leaving school or home, Spring Break travelers can log on to My Florida 511 at www.FL511.com to customize a primary and back-up travel route to their final Florida destination. The service lets users create custom names, such as “Beach” and “Back Up Beach.” With one voice prompt, callers can get information on their entire route.





According to the Travel Channel, three of the top ten Spring Break destinations are Panama City, Daytona Beach and Key West. If 511 tells a traveler that an incident has occurred on I-95 on the way to South Florida, the caller can check traffic conditions on an alternative route, such as Florida’s Turnpike. If that alternative road is clear, the traveler has time to switch routes, save time and increase safety.



“Traffic congestion can lead to accidents, which can lead to even more congestion,” said Florida Highway Patrol Major Ernesto Duarte. “If drivers can use 511 to plan a better route, everyone wins.”



The 511 system uses simple Caller ID technology to recognize the caller and provides the option to hear traffic details for the programmed trips first. If there is an incident on one road, drivers can change routes before getting caught in congestion. The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section provides detailed instructions and useful tips for successfully using the customizable routes feature.



Spring Breakers can call 511 to connect to the free Florida system from anywhere in the state. 511 recognizes a caller’s location and connects them to the service in their immediate area. The 511 service consists of the Statewide and five regional systems, including Central Florida, Northeast Florida, Southwest Florida, South Florida and Tampa Bay. By saying “other parts of the state,” a caller can transfer to any regional service and check road conditions on a local roadway.



For those traveling by air, 511 callers in certain regions of the state can access information from major airports, including flight and parking information. “We encourage people to use the free service to provide a more seamless travel experience,” said Carolyn Fennell, Orlando International Airport’s Director of Public Affairs.



For Florida residents, the free My Florida 511 customizable trip feature also works great for programming daily commutes. This service can prevent drivers from getting caught in traffic to or from the workplace, school or shopping and allows commuters to find out ahead of time about traffic due to an accident or construction.



“The customizable trips feature speeds up the time spent navigating the voice-activated 511 phone system, which in turn, speeds up the time it takes to receive important roadway information,” said Kevin Bakewell, senior vice president, AAA Auto Club South. “Tourists and residents alike appreciate that they can better anticipate travel times. Just having that information easily accessible helps reduce the stress of driving.”



In Florida, 511 is a free service of the FDOT and is 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 and open windows.
Say “other parts of the state” to transfer to Florida’s regional 511 services.
Say “help” for instructions.
Say “next,” “previous,” “stop” or “repeat” to navigate through the phone menus more quickly.
Say “main menu” at any time to start over.
Say “feedback” to report congestion not already mentioned on 511.
Interrupt 511 at any time if you already know your selection.


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 the current road condition.
Customize your trip before you leave home at www.FL511.com to minimize time spent on the phone.
Drive slowly and keep your lights on in low visibility.
Always wear a seat belt.
Don’t drink and drive!