GENE RANDALL, CNN ANCHOR: The FCC is banking on new three-digit phone numbers to help people get out of jams, traffic and otherwise. Here's CNN's Skip Loescher.</s>SKIP LOESCHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Who hasn't been frustrated, stuck in traffic as you try to get to work or get the kids to school, not knowing what's causing the problem or how to get around it. But within a year or so, motorists all over the country will have another way to get some answers.</s>RODNEY SLATER, TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY: I think they're going to love it.</s>LOESCHER: The Transportation Department and others have been pushing the Federal Communications Commission to assign more three- digit phone numbers so people can get help. And Friday, the FCC came through. Soon, no matter where you're located, you will be able to dial 511 to get traffic information from local and state authorities.</s>SLATER: It will help you to make strategic choices -- the mode of transportation, the particular route that you might take, the time you might depart. It will give you information about the weather, construction.</s>LOESCHER: But the FCC didn't stop there. It also assigned 211 to non-profit groups to help families in need. By establishing one national phone number, officials hope people at risk will get more help finding food, shelter, child care and counseling.</s>SUSAN NESS, FCC COMMISSIONER: For those people who face a minor bump in the road or a major bump in their road of life, this is an opportunity for them to know how to get help and how to get it quickly.</s>LOESCHER: In five years, the FCC will see if the new numbers are doing what they should or whether there are more important uses for them. Skip Loescher, CNN, Washington.
FCC Banks on Three-Digit Numbers to Help People Out of Jams