Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

Design System

Address the user

Content on government sites often makes a direct appeal to the public to get involved or take action.
Address the user as "you" whenever possible. For example:

If you’re creating content for multiple types of users — such as travelers and contractors — address the primary user as you and refer to secondary users by their roles or titles.

We recommend not using the word citizens when talking about the public. Instead, use travelers, road users, motorists (when referring to people operating vehicles), community, Minnesotans or residents (instead of taxpayers).