admin posted on August 11, 2010 14:31
NCDOT URGES CITIZENS TO “KNOW BEFORE YOU GO” AS HURRICANE SEASON PEAKS
Department provides real-time travel information through 18 Twitter feeds
RALEIGH — More major hurricanes strike North Carolina in August and September than all other months combined. The best way to stay safe is to stay informed.
“We have 18 Twitter feeds that instantly update citizens on real-time travel conditions, as well as changes to our ferry schedules,” said Lisa Schell, the N.C. Department of Transportation’s new media coordinator. “In an emergency, we’ll immediately send out tweets alerting the affected areas about road closures, flooding, dangerous driving conditions and evacuation routes.”
The department’s Twitter feeds provide easy access to travel information for North Carolina residents. They also provide out-of-state visitors who may not know who to contact in an emergency with real-time information. Twitter is accessible on hand-held devices even if traditional telephone service and electricity is disrupted.
NCDOT’s goal is to keep motorists safe using the “know before you go” approach. The department encourages citizens to check Twitter on their computers or smartphones before they leave home, work or school, but not while driving. Behind the wheel, they should be focused on one thing only – operating the car safely.
NCDOT maintains Twitter feeds for the Ferry Division, as well as Interstates 26, 85, 40, 77 and 95. There are also feeds for specific cities, areas and regions including Charlotte, the Triangle, the coast and the Western mountains of North Carolina. For a complete list, visit http://www.ncdot.gov/travel/twitter/default.html.
Citizens are also encouraged to use the department’s other social media tools – Facebook, Flickr and YouTube – for valuable transportation information.