In this Issue

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

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and its FL511 team remind motorists to share the road with bicycles in March and year-round. 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.

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 of all ages and can be found on both urban and rural roads. Bicycles include but are not limited to: road bikes, comfort bikes, off-road bikes, e-bikes (electronic bikes), and more. 

A bicycle is considered a vehicle and bicyclists follow the same rules of the road as automobiles, with a few exceptions. 

FDOT and its FL511 team remind motorists to watch for bicycles. Younger bicyclists especially can unexpectedly 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 injuries 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.

A leading cause of crashes in Florida and the nation – and perhaps one of the most avoidable – is distracted driving. This 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. Even a child or pet can create a distraction. Drivers encounter many potential distractions each and every day on the road.

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 texting while driving can have disastrous consequences. Never use the Florida 511 Mobile App when driving. Use it at home, when safely parked off the road, or have a passenger use it if needed.

For a safe and efficient trip, visit the FL511.com website and plan your drive ahead of time. Get directions and travel times and see current incidents, congestion, weather, and other traffic conditions. Look at camera snapshot images to see real-time road conditions.

For more information, visit FL511.com.

Throughout the year, it is not unusual to encounter flaggers, cones and then a highway work zone while driving. Often this is a minor inconvenience causing a slight delay. Construction is necessary for the safety of motorists and the 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 11 to 15 this year. The goal is to remind motorists to slow down and 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 traffic website supported by FDOT 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!

The FTBA Construction Conference

Members of the FL511 Marketing Team attended the Florida Transportation Builders Association’s (FTBA) Construction Conference, which took place on January 20 and 21 in Orlando. The team unveiled the new FL511 prop car and provided a number of educational tools and promotional gear to the hundreds of attendees who stopped by.

 FL511’s Suite of Services

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