It is all in the interpretation.
When it comes to winter driving, one person’s idea of “good” road conditions might be another person’s “difficult” condition.
After hearing such complaints the past few years, the Minnesota Department of Transportation this year has created new terms to describe winter driving conditions on state roads.
Gone are terms such as “good,” “fair,” “difficult” and “hazardous/travel not advised.”
Here are the new terms: “normal,” “partially covered,” “completely covered,” “travel not advised” and “closed.”
The state borrowed the new terms from Iowa, after looking at how other states address winter conditions.
“We think the public will have a better understanding of the terms now,” Kelly Braunig, 511 coordinator for MnDOT, said. “It’s easier to understand that roads are ‘partially covered’ rather than ‘fair,’ or ‘completely covered’ instead of ‘difficult.’”
They are more descriptive, for sure, but “normal” still could be viewed as subjective by some, as if any driving in winter can be normal. And let’s face the fact that some people are better winter drivers than others.
So, the more details given the better as motorists head out onto the roads. Or maybe they’ll stay at home. Either way, the improved communication will hopefully lead to more saved lives.
For more details on 511 or the MnDOT’s smartphone app, visit
http://hb.511mn.org/RoadConditions.htm
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