Gear up for Daytona Bike Week with FDOT 511

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla (WOFL FOX 35) - More than a half million motorcycle enthusiasts will cruise into Daytona Beach from March 4-14, and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) reminds everyone to practice safe driving habits and “know before they go” using its 511 Traveler Information System.

With an expected increase of visitors to Daytona Beach, drivers should be prepared for a rise in congestion on I-95, I-4 and I-10. FDOT encourages drivers heading to or around the area to use the 511 Traveler Information System before hitting the road to stay up-to-date on crashes, congestion, construction and more.

While traveling in the area it’s especially important for motorists and motorcyclists to use safe driving techniques. Here are some safety tips from RideSmartFlorida.com, which was developed by FDOT’s Motorcycle Safety Program along with their program partners:

Motorists

·         Monitor the traffic around you constantly and expect to see motorcycles.

·         Check your blind spots before changing lanes or merging, especially in heavy traffic.

·         Double-check traffic at intersections before you turn or pull out.

·         Motorcycles can easily be hidden in traffic. Look for a helmet above, tires below, or a shadow alongside a vehicle that you can't see around.

·         Leave at least a four-second distance between your car and a motorcycle in front of you. Note when a motorcycle passes a point in the road. If your vehicle passes the same point in less than four seconds, you’re following too closely.

·         When passing a motorcycle, give a full lane to the motorcycle. Do not share lanes!

Motorcyclists

·         Make sure there is plenty of room between you and all the vehicles around you.

·         Stay out of vehicle blind spots.

·         Assume that vehicles pulling out of side streets do not see you and they might pull out in front of you.

There are five convenient ways for all motorists to receive traffic updates:

• Call 511 toll free for updates in English and Spanish.
• Visit FL511.com for interactive roadway maps showing traffic congestion and crashes, travel times and traffic camera views.
• Sign up for a “My Florida 511” account at FL511.com to create custom routes and register for email, text or phone alerts.
• Download the free Florida 511 mobile app available on Google Play or Apple App Store.
• Follow one of the 13 statewide, regional or roadway-specific Twitter feeds (#FL511), including @FL511_I95, @FL511_I4 and @FL511_I10.

Events catering to motorcyclists are taking place throughout Daytona Beach during Bike Week, include:

·         DAYTONA Supercross on Saturday, March 5

·         DAYTONA Flat Track doubleheader on March 10-11

·         75th running of the DAYTONA 200 on Saturday, March 12.

Florida 511 Features

·         Traffic information on all interstate highways, toll roads and many other metropolitan roadways.

·         Commuter travel times and reports on crashes, congestion and construction.

·         Public transit, airport and seaport information.

·         AMBER, Silver and LEO Alerts. America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response (AMBER) Alerts notify the public of the most serious child-abduction cases. Silver Alerts notify the public when law enforcement agencies are searching for missing adults or citizens with cognitive impairments, including Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) Alerts notify the public when law enforcement officers are searching for an offender(s) who has seriously injured or killed a law enforcement officer.

·         Travel information, traffic camera views and free personalized services, including customized travel routes and email, text and phone call alerts, available on FL511.com.

·         Voice-activated and touch-tone navigation available when calling 511.

·         The 511 phone call and FL511.com website are available in English and Spanish.