Caltrans Activates Drought Message

Tamie McGowen with Caltrans says, unless there are major problems on the roads or Amber Alerts, the message will be on display through tonight...

"...and then we will sporadically use it on occasion to remind motorists that they need to continue joining us in this aggressive action to save water during this drought."

"We typically use (the signs) for traffic safety messages," says McGowen, "but in this case we worked with the Federal Highway Administration and because the governor has declared an emergency in terms of this drought we are able to get out there a very important message."

McGowen says the "Help Save Water" message will be on display through tonight and intermittently when there are no critical emergency or traffic safety messages or "Amber Alerts."

McGowen also says Caltrans is cutting back, by 50 percent, on the amount of water it uses to irrigate landscaping along the state's highways. She says the agency will also stop washing its vehicles, except when necessary for safety reasons.

Governor Jerry Brown has called on all Californians to voluntarily reduce water usage by 20 percent.