Thursday, February 17, 2011

A Valuable Tool for Missourians

It’s been rough this winter. Snow and ice pummeled the state without mercy. Blizzard conditions smothered our roadways. Interstates closed.
But Missourians handled it. They were armed with the power of information, and the numbers prove it.
 During each snow event, hundreds of thousands of travelers turned to MoDOT’s website and social media outlets to see road conditions before they even left their homes.
MoDOT’s online Traveler Information Map, located at www.modot.org, logged a record-breaking half-million visits over a three-day period from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2. Statewide, MoDOT added more than 3,500 new Facebook fans and 500 new Twitter followers.
            These numbers are testimony to the common sense found in Missouri’s citizens. Over the years, they’ve learned to turn to MoDOT for travel information that could potentially save time, money and lives.
            Local weather reports and law enforcement still play a vital role in getting the message out.  Weather conditions can change in an instant and folks need to get all the info they can before making the decision to travel.  MoDOT partners with these traditional means to give Missouri the most complete picture technology will allow.
            It’s hard to believe that just a few short years ago these electronic information avenues didn’t even exist. Now, they are a valuable tool for Missourians.