Government urges public to get educated on winter driving

The Department of Works, Services and Transportation wants you to be an informed driver.

Changing weather patterns and fluctuations in temperature often create dangerous driving conditions on the province�s highways. To help motorists obtain up to date information on road and driving conditions, the department is offering several information services to the public.

Individuals with Internet access can visit the Department of Works, Services and Transportation�s Highway Driving Conditions web site at www.gov.nl.ca/roads and view road conditions reports and highway camera images. The road conditions reports can be found by choosing �Winter Driving Conditions� on the Web site and will be available December 1. These reports, which cover all areas of the province, provide information on road surface and visibility and are updated as conditions change. Roads conditions reports will also be available on the Weather Network starting December 4.

To provide images of driving conditions the department has installed Internet highway cameras at five weigh scale sites along the Trans Canada Highway, including: Foxtrap, Goobies, Grand Falls-Windsor, Pynn�s Brook and Port aux Basques. The camera images are available for viewing year round on the site by clicking on �Live Highway Cameras�. Photographs are updated at five to 10 minute intervals, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The time and date are imprinted on the photograph to provide information on when the image was last updated.

"Temperature fluctuations in this province mean road conditions can change very quickly. With the type of environment we live in, it is important to be proactive when it comes to winter driving," said Works, Services and Transportation Minister Rick Woodford. "Motorists should check conditions and check them often. This is an opportunity for drivers to make educated decisions that could save their lives."

Also beginning December 1, motorists can receive up to date information on conditions by using a touch tone phone to call the province�s weather line at 1-900-451-3300 (for a fee of $.75) or by phoning one of the following numbers:

"Motorists need to slow down and exercise caution while driving on our roads and highways, especially during the winter months," said Minister Woodford. "But drivers should also be aware of what is ahead of them before they get into their vehicles. I sincerely hope motorists will use these tools to become better informed of road conditions before they drive."

(Note: As with all 1-900 #�s, the weather line is not accessible by cellular phones).

Media contact: Lynn Evans, Communications, (709) 729-3015.

2000 11 23 4:20 p.m.