One of the most annoying, frustrating aspects of driving is being stuck in stopped or extremely slow freeway traffic without any explanation whatsoever of what the problem is. The authorities in many places across the country treat motorists like sheep, rather than real people — people who desire real-time information so they make the best driving decisions.

We want to applaud the Minnesota Department of Transportation for being an exception. Here are some examples we have noticed of its efforts to reach out to motorists:

• Last summer MnDOT signs warned motorists of possible construction delays on Interstate 35 near Owatonna. For northbound motorists, the warning came before the Hope exit. This gave drivers the choice of getting off the freeway and onto a county road prior to hitting the place that the freeway turns into a parking lot.

• MnDOT’s sign shop pumped out plenty of signs that explained to motorists that they should use both lanes when two freeway lanes merge into one. When all of the available roadway is used, traffic moves faster. Still, now and then truckers tried to occupy both lanes to halt four-wheelers from using both lanes. There is an education curve, of course. Eventually, more people will get the zipper.

• MnDOT has funded overhead electronic message boards, which is really handy when a sign can directly tell a motorist what is happening up ahead. Knowledge is power. The message boards are worthy expenses.

• MnDOT informs local news media by email when the freeways open or close because of crashes, inclement weather or road work. The media then posts the news online. More and more, motorists and passengers sitting in stopped traffic will go to their smartphones for information. They visit the websites of the local news media to see what is causing the delay.

• The MnDOT website 511mn.org is a super handy location to find out about road conditions during bad weather and, on occasion, where crashes are. Motorists are able to use the site to understand what they might face if they travel. And media members can use the site to inform drivers, too.

We hope other government agencies — whether local or state or in other states — follow MnDOT’s example. An agency that wants to get useful information in the hands of all people, not merely a select few, is a sign of good government.