Road conditions reports

Nebraska: Dial 511 from your cell or land line phone.

Iowa: (800) 288-1047.

South Dakota: (866) 697-3511.

Missouri: (800) 222-6400.

Kansas: (800) 585-7623.

Colorado: (303) 639-1111.

Wyoming: (888) 996-7623.

Road safety tips

Prepare a blizzard kit that includes heavy blankets, thermal sleeping bags, mittens, socks, hats, sweatpants, sweatshirts, hand tools, tire pressure gauge, jumper cables, small shovel, ice scraper, container of sand for traction, nonperishable food and a bright red cloth to tie to your vehicle antenna or door handle.

In case of an emergency, dial *55 on your cell phone to be directed to the nearest law enforcement agency. If your cell phone is GPS-enabled, make sure that feature is turned on so emergency dispatchers can locate your signal.

Before you leave home, let someone at your final destination know your planned route and exchange contact information with that person.

Gas prices

A move by Nebraska roads officials this week to lower the state’s variable gas tax rate by 4 cents from 27 cents to 23 cents per gallon likely will mean lower prices at the pump this holiday weekend.

The average gas price for Nebraska on Friday was $2.98, compared to $3.14 a month ago, for regular unleaded.

The average gas price Friday in Lincoln was $2.98, compared to $3.12 a month ago and $2.36 a year ago.

Air travel

With a winter storm expected to slam eastern Nebraska today, many flights could be delayed.

Before you leave home for the airport, check your flight’s status and the weather at your final destination and at any connecting locations.

Save important travel numbers in your cell phone, including those of your airline, hotel and those with whom you’ll be staying.

Pack your cell phone charger so you can keep in touch with others during your travels.

Prepare for flight delays by packing extra medication, entertainment and comfort items for children, and an extra day’s worth of clothes.

State Patrol to be out in force

Through Jan. 1, the Nebraska State Patrol is planning special enforcement efforts to keep impaired drivers off the roads as part of the national “You Drink & Drive. You Lose” campaign.

Those efforts will include saturation patrols, DUI checkpoints and other high-profile efforts focusing on time periods in which alcohol-related activities are considered to be the highest.

The State Patrol will use a $23,000 grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety to pay troopers for more than 400 overtime hours and dispatchers for more than 60 overtime hours to complete the holiday enforcement efforts.