Albertans have been granted easier access to road condition information with the unveiling of a new telephone service last month.
The 511 phone service has been launched and operated by the government of Alberta to inform people of the latest road conditions throughout the province.
The road report hotline is accessible by dialling 511 from a landline or cellphone.
The service provides information regarding highway conditions, roadwork, major incidents, weather alerts and more.
After dialing 511, callers are lead through a number of prompts, with information then provided by a voice recording.
Proper planning, having an emergency kit in all vehicles, having charged cellphones and winter clothes are all essential when travelling in the winter, said Larry Gratton, EMS operations manager with AHS Calgary zone, which includes West Central Alberta south of Red Deer.
"Part of the preparation for all of that is knowing the road conditions on your chosen route,î said Gratton, noting that the new 511 service should be helpful as part of those preparations.
"When the roads are bad all emergency service agencies would recommend that people stay off the roads,î he said.
Sundre RCMP Cpl. Ryan Hodge echoed Gratton's comments, saying being aware of the road conditions is always important.
"Plan ahead and know what you're getting yourself into when you're heading out on a trip,î said Hodge.
Carstairs resident Anne Strilchuk has already called 511 and says it is an "excellentî service.
"Not everybody has computers so not everybody can go on and check the road conditions,î said Strilchuk. "It's so easy to lift your phone up and dial 511, whether you're a teenager or a senior or anybody.î
The hotline is easy to remember and it's accessible throughout the province, she said.
"I think it's a wonderful service,î she said.
The new service is also available online at www.511.alberta.ca.
Alberta Motor Association (AMA) has been providing road reports since 1927 and continues to do so through its website and on its Twitter account @AMARoadReports.
"Plan ahead and know what you're getting yourself into." Cpl. Ryan Hodge
