Southwest Floridians have a new, free source for regional traffic information – from both their computers and their phones.

If you're stuck in traffic now answers why are just a phone call away. This region is the 5th to be added to the Florida Department of Transportation’s “511 Network”.

People can get real-time traffic information about conditions on 30 key roadways in Charlotte Lee & Collier Counties. The free service is accessed by dialing 511, or by going to the website SouthwestFlorida511-dot-com.

David Parks is Department spokesman.

“All of the information comes from FHP, Lee County Sheriffs, Collier County Sheriff…basically every emergency responder. When they’re responding to an incident we have a group of folks who are basically listening in on those scanners, similar to what’s used by other resources in town, to get the information they need, and then make the information available through 511 or southwestflorida511.com”

Similar service is provided in the Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando and Miami/Ft. Lauderdale areas. 511 traffic programs are also in place in 33 states besides Florida.

Parks says the goal is to create a free, nationwide traffic network… available ‘round the clock by phone or the web.