When the roads are blanketed with snow, simple commutes can turn hazardous, and sometimes, it’s hard to find the safest way to get from point A to point B.

But an often underused free service is making things easier than ever: 511, a traffic lifeline at your fingertips.

"It is important that people know about this because not only will it help you on your way, but the more people who know that there’s an issue, the more people will avoid the area with the issue so that issue can be cleared up quicker," said Scott Cook, the public information officer for NYSDOT Region 9.

But the three-digit automated phoneline is just part of it. On the 511 website, travelers can get traffic updates, info on closures, and even view live cameras along their planned commute.

"You do your starting point, your destination, the same way you do Google Maps or Apple Maps, but you get a little more information," said Cook.

While apps can offer info on traffic, 511 provides the most up-to-the-minute results for every roadway in the state.

Anything including reported accidents, road closures and bad weather spots are logged in by emergency crews and even the public, then automatically populated to 511.

"We work in close communication with every emergency management agency, police departments, fire departments, ambulance services, the National Weather Service. It all comes together on this," said Cook.

Reports to 911 related to travel are also logged into the system.

"If there's an incident if if a truck goes off the road, if the police are on a scene. You've seen cars slide into the median once the police are aware. We're aware. 511 New York is aware," said Cook.

You can access the service by dialing 511, or heading to its website.