Know before you go! Keep Florida moving with the new 511!
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are set to play in the TaxSlayer Bowl in Jacksonville on New Year’s Eve. Along with that game, the state of Florida will play host to 11 different college bowl and championship events including the national championship game. The Florida Department of Transportation knows these games are often synonymous with heavy traffic and long travel distances, so Georgians heading south now have options to find the best and safest route.
Football fans traveling with their teams and Florida drivers dodging TaxSlayer Bowl game-day traffic should plan ahead with the Florida 511 Traveler Information System from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).
Florida 511 is the pregame and postgame transportation MVP providing real-time traffic information around EverBank Field, as the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets take on the Kentucky Wildcats Saturday, December 31 at 11 a.m.
Commuters can learn of incidents and congestion by checking the Florida 511 mobile app, which can be downloaded free on Google Play and the Apple App Store. Drivers can also check Florida 511 Twitter feeds including @FL511_NORTHEAST, @FL511_I10 and @FL511_I95.
There are four convenient ways for motorists to receive traffic updates:
- Visit FL511.com for an interactive map displaying current traffic, travel and congestion information.
- Sign up for a My Florida 511 personalized services account at FL511.com to create custom routes and register for email or text alerts.
- Call 511 toll-free from anywhere in Florida for real-time traffic updates.
FDOT encourages everyone to check Florida 511 to know before you go and arrive safely and on time. Check Florida 511 before driving or have a passenger check to avoid using a phone while driving.
The website homepage also features the new “Urgent Alerts” and “News” tabs next to “My Routes.” Under “Urgent Alerts” you will see information on major events including hurricanes, road closures and more. The “News” tab displays articles, information and updates related to 511, including information on high turnout events resulting in heavy traffic.
Once you have registered, the new “My Cameras” feature allows you to add your favorite cameras to a slideshow on the homepage. To do so, select “Cameras” on the map legend, click the camera you would like to add from the map, then click “Add.”
With your mobile device, you can also download the Florida 511 Mobile App.
The app will provide a suggested route plus up to two alternate routes, each with driving directions, travel times and incidents. Click “Options” to select “Highways” or “No Highways” and “Tolls” or “No Tolls.” You can also add way points (additional destinations or stops) along your route. It’s all right on your smartphone, but don’t text and drive. Use the app ahead of time to get familiar with its user interface and feel free to give feedback if there is something you have a question.
For those that prefer social media, the state of Florida has 13 statewide, regional or roadway-specific Twitter feeds, like @FL511_NORTHEAST, @FL511_I10 and @FL511_I95 and share real-time traffic updates with your followers in the lead-up to the bowl game.
Enjoy the football action and safe travels!
