Be prepared before traveling during the winter

When you head out to travel during this winter season, make sure you know before you go.

The Wyoming Department of Transportation has several resources available to help motorists stay informed about travel conditions.

Motorists can visit WYDOT’s 511 Road and Travel Information website to get the latest information on conditions and road closures. The site also has other features such as web cameras to help give motorists an idea of what conditions are like in a certain location.

But motorists need to remember that even though conditions may look good in one area, it doesn’t mean that down the road conditions are the same. They can be completely different.

The following are some of the ways motorists can be prepared when traveling.

• Download the Wyoming 511 app for Android or Apple smartphones. The app provides pre-trip and en route travel information, and can be used to provide location information to friends, family or emergency responders.
• Dial 511 to get travel information from a phone. The travel information includes road surface conditions; travel advisories in place; temporary and seasonal closures; current weather conditions; and short-term weather forecasts.
• Sign up for 511 Notify. The system provides alerts by text and/or email.
• Sign up for the WYDOT Authorized Travel Program. This service allows motorists who apply and receive approval permission to drive on sections of closed road authorities deem safe.
• Visit the Road and Travel Information website for more services and features. There are a lot of resources available to motorists by visiting the website.