Be an informed driver this winter

The Department of Works, Services and Transportation wants motorists to make informed travel decisions this winter.

"Motorists should check road and weather conditions before they drive so they know what is ahead of them," said Works, Services and Transportation Minister Percy Barrett. "Individuals can visit the department's Web site to view road condition reports and highway camera images or they can call the department for information."

The winter road reports and camera images can be found by visiting the Department of Works, Services and Transportation's Highway Driving Conditions Web site at www.roads.gov.nf.ca. The road condition reports can be found by choosing �Winter Driving Conditions' on the Web site. These reports, which cover all areas of the province, provide information on road surface and visibility and are updated as conditions change. Road condition reports are also available on the Weather Network.

To provide images of driving conditions the department has installed eight Internet highway cameras throughout the province. Cameras are located at weigh scales along the Trans Canada Highway at Foxtrap, Goobies, Grand Falls-Windsor, Pynn's Brook and Port aux Basques. Cameras are also located in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Salt Pond (Burin Peninsula) and Flower's Cove (Northern Peninsula). 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. 

Motorists can also receive up to date information on conditions by phoning one of the following numbers:

AVALON REGION 1-709-729-7669           CENTRAL REGION 1-709-292-4444
EASTERN REGION 1-709-466-4160         WESTERN REGION 1-709-635-4144
LABRADOR REGION 1-709-896-7888       (Standard long distance charges apply) 

"Plowing and de-icing roads in Newfoundland and Labrador can be challenging, especially with rapid fluctuations in weather conditions," said Barrett. "There will be times when roads are icy and blocked due to heavy snowfall regardless of the amount of equipment or crews assigned. It is therefore extremely important that motorists know what conditions are, and make informed travel decisions."

Throughout the winter, supervisors assess road conditions night and day. Maintenance crews report for work between 4:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., five days a week, depending on the area of the province. They work until mid-afternoon, unless weather conditions dictate they work additional hours. During storms, plowing continues until 11:00 p.m. or longer until all roads are open to traffic, if the storm is ending. If the snow is continuing, crews normally go home at 11:00 p.m. until 4:30 a.m. or 5:00 a.m. the next day. Between 11:00 p.m. and 4:30 a.m./ 5:00 a.m. crews are generally not in operation, except in emergency situations. During this period, vehicular traffic flow is typically very low.

"The department does its best to make the province's roads safer in winter, but safe winter driving is everyone's responsibility. Motorists should check conditions before they drive. If people must travel, they should make sure their vehicles are winterized and that they drive in accordance with weather and road conditions," said Barrett.

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

2001 12 19                            4:25 p.m.