Released on December 18, 2012
Highway Hotline Activity Spikes in November
Severe weather during the month of November resulted in a large number of calls to the Highway Hotline.
"Snow and freezing rain led to some adverse driving conditions during the past month, resulting in increased activity for the Highway Hotline," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Don McMorris said. "With a growing province, more drivers are using a variety of methods offered by the Highway Hotline to make informed decisions before hitting the road."
The total number of inquiries to the Highway Hotline increased more than 200 per cent to 659,601 last month from 214,144 the previous November. This year's numbers include 112,317 phone calls and 547,284 web visits to the hotline.
The Highway Hotline Twitter account recorded an increase in its followers to about 4,600 from about 3,700 from the start to the end of November 2012, which is a 24 per cent increase. The Highway Hotline Facebook page, for the same time period, recorded an increase in likes to 4,112 from 3,200, or an increase of about 28 per cent.
For the Highway Hotline's latest available Saskatchewan road conditions, visit hotline.gov.sk.ca to check map and text reports and access a mobile website with similar features or dial the following for recorded reports: 306-787-7623 in the Regina area, 306-933-8333 in the Saskatoon area or 1-888-335-7623 toll-free across Canada. For road closures and travel not recommended alerts on Twitter, check out the Highway Hotline account @SKGovHwyHotline. For general tips, visit the Highway Hotline on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SaskatchewanHighwayHotline.
The information for the Highway Hotline is compiled from observations made by Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure staff. Information provided on the 24 hours a day service may be subject to rapidly changing weather, flooding, forest fires or other events. Motorists need to be alert to these possible changes and operate their vehicles in a safe and responsible manner based on the road conditions before them.
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For more information, contact:
Doug Wakabayashi
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4804
Email: doug.wakabayashi@gov.sk.ca