MONTGOMERY –With a severe winter storm bearing down on portions of Alabama, the Alabama Department of Transportation at 6:30 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 28, will activate its Emergency Call Center to provide road closure and travel-related information to the public relating to Alabama’s state, U.S. and interstate highways. The public is advised not to travel in areas that will be affected by the severe winter weather conditions. The number of the Emergency Call Center is 888-588-2848. Additionally, Road Conditions information is available on ALDOT’s Web site at www.dot.state.al.us. The Alabama Department of Transportation has made preparations and mobilized personnel and resources in affected areas of the state to respond to icy bridge/road conditions and other adverse impacts. The public is urged to monitor local media for weather updates. ALDOT crews will continue efforts to keep roadways passable as long as conditions allow. ALDOT officials strongly caution that driving should be avoided until conditions have improved enough for safe travel. The Emergency Call Center system was first put into place during the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. A toll-free information line was established to respond to public requests for information and assistance before, during and after storms. When activated for Hurricane Katrina, over 5,000 calls were taken within a five-day period.
24-Hour Web pages Provide Updated Highway Travel Information
Winter storm forecasts for portions of Alabama may result in icy roads causing hazardous
driving conditions. The Alabama Department of Public Safety and the Alabama Department of Transportation
strongly encourage all motorists to drive with extreme caution and to avoid roadways when weather conditions
are prohibitive – particularly early in the morning as bridges may contain icy patches.
ALDOT reminds motorists they may check the conditions of Alabama’s state and federal highways on the
Road Conditions page on ALDOT’s website, www.dot.state.al.us. The public also may also check ALDOT’s
Traffic Information and Cameras page for additional information on traffic delays, construction projects and
other highway conditions from the ALDOT Home Page.
ALDOT has made preparations and mobilized personnel and resources across the state to respond to icy
bridge/road conditions and other adverse impacts from the winter storm. ALDOT will monitor roadway
conditions and will make every attempt to keep highways passable and as safe for travel as possible.
Motorists are encouraged to monitor local news for information on weather conditions and frequently check
road conditions and travel advisories. To report traffic crashes or other emergencies to state troopers, motorists
with cell phones may dial *HP (*47) toll‐free.
If driving becomes necessary, motorists should use caution and remain alert for work zones, highway
maintenance personnel and emergency vehicles. Motorists also are reminded to obey Alabama’s “move over”
law.
In addition, state troopers offer the following tips to help ensure safe winter travel:
• Avoid travel, if possible, when icy or other extremely hazardous driving conditions develop.
• Keep vehicles in good operating condition. Check antifreeze levels and use windshield washer
solution suitable for freezing weather conditions. Keep gas tanks at least half full.
• Remember weather and roadway conditions may change quickly. Adapt speeds to existing roadway
conditions, and be alert to changing weather and the possibility of icy, slippery roads.
• During inclement weather, turn on headlights and windshield wipers, and maintain a safe distance
between your vehicle and other vehicles.
• Pay particular attention to bridges and overpasses, which have a tendency to develop extremely hazardous
“black ice.”
• Keep blankets, a first-aid kit, a charged cell phone and other emergency supplies in your vehicle.
