To the editor:

In contrast to the claim in your Dec. 26 “Road reports” editorial that travelers have no way to learn about Kansas road conditions, the Kansas Department of Transportation offers two state-of-the-art ways to inform motorists about road conditions.

Travelers can dial 511 in Kansas or (866) 511-KDOT (5368) from anywhere in the United States to hear road and weather conditions for any highway in the state. Or they can visit the KDOT Web site (www.ksdot.org) and click on “Road Conditions” under the 511 logo to view maps with color-coded road conditions.

Over a four-day period during last week’s storm, concerned travelers called 511 more than 55,200 times and visited the Web site more than 121,000 times.

Also in contrast to the writer’s claims, no motorists were stranded or abandoned their vehicles along I-70 in Kansas. That’s because KDOT works closely with the Kansas Highway Patrol and officials in neighboring states when storms threaten traveler safety.

Kansas has been very proactive in providing travel information. KDOT began offering telephone road condition information in 1995 and added Internet access six years ago. We launched 511 in 2003 and were among the first states to provide such a service.

When winter storms threaten travel in Kansas, I am confident that motorists will have access to comprehensive, up-to-date travel information from KDOT. I urge travelers to use the information wisely as they plan their trips and stay tuned to local weather conditions.

Deb Miller, Kansas

secretary of transportation