Instagram's @i70things is a hilarious and helpful look at Interstate 70 in Colorado

• The laugh is just what motorists needed, and now the account boasts more than 400,000 followers, many of whom contribute much of the daily content, whether it's semi-truck crashes, bighorn sheep on the road or motorcyclists sitting on snowboards.

Why it matters: Beyond its origins, @i70things is now the leading source for traffic reports about the east-west highway that bisects the state and serves as a vital economic driver.

• Brown is currently partnering with the state transportation department to spread the word about the state's traction law, transit options and winter driving tips, the Denver Post reports.

What he's saying: "I wanted to be able to provide an outlet for people to not only share what they've seen, but also check it out before they go to the mountains or before they come home," Brown told the Post.

• "It's a real community thing, not me just telling people, 'This is what's happening' and not being able to back it up with a photo or a video."

The intrigue: Once anonymous, Brown now makes enough money from sponsored content, merchandise sales and events to make it a full-time job.

The bottom line: The key to driving I-70 in the winter is empathy, he says. "We all get frustrated, but it's how we deal with that," he added. "A funny outlet like this can help, especially when we're stuck and the highway's shut down."