Michigan Department of Transportation can now notify you of accidents on your route via text message.

Save your vacation! MDOT can now notify you of accidents on your route via text message.

Aleksandra Glustsenko

Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will let you know when there is a major traffic incident in Southwest Michigan that affects your travel plans.

There's nothing worse than "are we there yet?" "my battery is dead," or "I have to go to the bathroom" from the backseat while caught up in a traffic jam caused by an accident. MDOT is rescuing parents and travelers all across Southwest Michigan with a new notification service.

Just visit the MDOT subscription page, choose "SMS/Text Message" from the Subscription Type dropdown menu, enter your mobile telephone number with area code, and follow the instructions to complete your free subscription. Text messages will be sent for crash and incident notifications on Southwest Region state trunkline (M, I and US roads) in the following counties: Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren. Counties in the Bay, Grand and University regions also are available.

Safe travels and enjoy your Summer!

Next Up: Remember the 123-vehicle accident on I-94 in January 2015?