In this Issue

Share the Road with Bicycles
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month
FL511 Supports National Work Zone Awareness Week
Events in March and April
Out and About

March is Florida Bicycle Month, a time to encourage the use of bicycles for transportation, recreation and exercise. March was selected because of its great weather in Florida. Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and its FL511 team remind motorists to share the road with bicycles in March and year-round. 

Bicycling is very popular in Florida for many reasons: it is a fun source of recreation, good exercise, helps people maintain a proper weight and is an inexpensive form of transportation. For many people, it may be their only form of transportation. Bicyclists can be found on both urban and rural roads and are all ages. Bicycles include road bikes, comfort bikes, off-road bikes, e-bikes (electronic bikes) and others. 

A bicycle is considered a vehicle and bicyclists follow the same rules of the road as automobiles, with a few small exceptions. FDOT and its FL511 team remind motorists to watch for bicycles. Children and youth especially can dart out into the road. A bicycle is no match for a car. If a collision occurs, the bicyclist almost always is more seriously injured than the driver of an automobile. 

Another way to reduce the chance of bicycle collisions and injury is to use Florida 511 before a trip. Check current road conditions which include incidents, blocked roads, congestion, weather and many other factors. Never text behind the wheel. Know before you go with real-time traffic info 24/7 on FL511. For more information, visit FL511.com.

Do you know what is a leading cause of crashes in Florida and the nation – and perhaps one of the most avoidable? It’s distracted driving.

Distracted driving occurs when the driver is focused on almost anything except the road. Distractions include texting, talking on a mobile phone – even hands-free, using a touch-screen installed in a vehicle, eating or reaching for a beverage and even communicating with others in the vehicle. A child or pet can create a distraction. There are many. 

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The FL511 team supports this national effort to keep the nation’s and Florida’s roads as safe as possible. 

Texting is a leading cause of distracted driving, especially among teens. FL511 reminds drivers to never text while driving. It is illegal in Florida and also very dangerous. Just a few seconds of this activity can have disastrous consequences. Never use the Florida 511 Mobile App when driving. Use it at home, when parked off the road, or have a passenger use it if needed. 

For a safe and efficient trip, visit the FL511.com and plan your drive ahead of time. While on the website from the comfort of your home, you can get directions and travel times to reach your destination. You can also see current incidents, congestion, weather and other traffic conditions, and much more.  Travel safely.

Throughout the year as we are driving it is not unusual to encounter flaggers, cones and then a highway work zone. Often this is a minor inconvenience. We are slowed for a few minutes and then move on. Construction is necessary for safety and maintenance of our roads. It occurs year-round on all roadways – big and small. 

FDOT and its FL511 team support National Work Zone Awareness Week which is April 17 to 21 this year. The goal is to remind motorists to use extreme caution in highway work zones. Watch for workers, vehicles, debris and unusual conditions. Be prepared for sudden stops, use caution when driving around large vehicles and stay alert. Every year construction workers, motorists and pedestrians are injured and killed in roadwork construction zones. 

Another way to safely maneuver construction zones is to check FL511.com before you begin your drive. This State of Florida-supported traffic website will show active construction zones on major roads, so you can plan your trip accordingly. FL511 provides real-time traffic info 24/7 for a safer and more efficient motor trip.

For more information, visit FL511.com.

Consider using Florida 511 for turn-by-turn directions to these events or an event in your community!

Safe Mobility for Life CarFit event

The FL511 Marketing Team attended the Safe Mobility for Life CarFit event, held in St. Cloud. The activity was part of FDOT’s Safe Mobility for Life Coalition, in partnership with the City of St. Cloud and the St. Cloud Police Department. It was a fun and easy way for older adults to be proactive about staying safe on the road. CarFit is an educational program developed by AAA, AARP, and the American  Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) designed to provide a quick yet comprehensive check of how well older drivers and their vehicles work together.

 FL511’s Suite of Services

For comments or more information, please contact the FL511 Marketing Team via email: FL511marketing@gmail.com.