November 12, 2008 - Safe Winter Travel Starts With Informed Drivers

Contact: The media is encouraged to contact their local MSP post for more information.

EAST LANSING. During Winter Hazards Awareness Week, Nov. 9 - 15, the Michigan State Police (MSP) is reminding motorists to check the MSP Winter Travel Advisory before heading out on the roads. The MSP Winter Travel Advisory is available at /roadconditions or by calling 1-800-381-8477.

The Winter Travel Advisory provides road conditions for the state's freeways and trunk lines based on reports from public safety personnel working throughout Michigan. These roads are the first to be cleared during winter weather. Road conditions for rural and county roads are not available; however, it is unusual for conditions on these roads to be better than those listed for area freeways.

The MSP Winter Travel Advisory is updated at least twice a day from information provided by law enforcement and public safety personnel working throughout Michigan. The advisory is posted online from November to March each year.

Motorists are asked to utilize the Web site or the Travel Hotline rather than calling 911 or their local law enforcement agency for road condition information, as these types of calls can hamper critical emergency communications.

As a reminder, driving too fast for road conditions is the number one cause of traffic crashes during the winter season. The MSP encourages travelers to check the Winter Travel Advisory Web site for information and use their own best judgment when traveling this winter. If weather conditions appear too severe for travel, they most likely are.