(JUNEAU, Alaska) – As the 2012 holiday season approaches and temperatures drop, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) reminds drivers to prepare for safe winter travel in the Last Frontier.

Drivers should check 511.alaska.gov, call 511 or check the 511 Facebook or Twitter pages before traveling. ADOT&PF updates the 511 system frequently with driving conditions.  Callers can dial 5-1-1 to hear National Weather Service weather watches, and access the Alaska Marine Highway System’s real-time arrival and schedules, get terminal information, reservations, check availability, or speak to a reservation agent. Road Weather Information cameras, which are placed on several roads across Alaska, can also be viewed on the 511 website.

ADOT&PF also offers these tips to make holiday transportation safer:

Before travel: 

• Clear snow and ice from all windows and lights
• Have a full tank of gas – many gas stations are not open in the winter
• Charge and carry a cell phone or satellite phone
• Plan to travel during daylight and with another person when possible
• Dress warmly and in layers
• Bring food and several bottles of water
• Let someone know your travel plans - where you are going and when you plan to arrive

During travel:

• Drive according to road conditions instead of posted speed limits
• Use four wheel drive when appropriate
• Leave room between other cars, maintenance vehicles and plows
• Remember to brake carefully, early and correctly – it takes more time to stop in adverse conditions. 

More travel information can be found on ADOT&PF’s website, www.dot.alaska.gov/traveler.shtml, or by contacting the appropriate public information officer for each region:

• Northern Region: Meadow Bailey, (907) 451-2240, Meadow.Bailey@alaska.gov
• Southeast Region: Jeremy Woodrow, (907) 465-8994, Jeremy.Woodrow@alaska.gov
• Central Region: Rick Feller, (907) 269-0772, Rick.Feller@alaska.gov

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 255 airports, 11 ferries serving 35 communities, 5,619 miles of highway and 720 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska. The mission of the department is to “Get Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure.”

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