RELEASE: CONTACT:

IMMEDIATE Jason Bond 540-387-5250 saleminfo@VDOT.Virginia.gov

SAL-06-78 Dec. 19, 2006

VDOT EXPANDS SAFETY SERVICE PATROL HOURS IN THE ROANOKE AND NEW RIVER VALLEYS

Just in time for the holidays, the Virginia Department of Transportation has increased operating hours of its Safety Service Patrol in the Roanoke and New River valleys.

The Safety Service Patrol now operates seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The patrol covers a 50-mile portion of Interstate 81 from Buchanan in Botetourt County to Christiansburg in Montgomery County. The patrol also helps drivers along I-581 and the Route 220 Expressway in Roanoke.

Wearing bright green, highly visible uniforms and driving specially equipped pickup trucks, the Safety Service Patrol assists motorists and works with the Virginia State Police to respond to traffic incidents.

Trained in basic automobile repair and first aid, Safety Service Patrollers help stranded motorists get back on the road. Patrollers also remove debris from the roadway and can function as “first responders” on the scene of accidents and provide traffic control.

“Studies show that the Safety Service Patrols reduce the time it takes to clear traffic incidents,” said VDOT’s Southwestern Operations Region Director Ken King, P.E. “This has become a very valuable public service especially at times, like the holidays, when traffic is heavy,” King added.

VDOT first implemented a program to assist motorists traveling in the Roanoke and New River valleys in late December 1999. VDOT estimates that thousands of motorists have received assistance from these patrollers.

VDOT has additional Safety Service Patrols located in Charlottesville, Hampton Roads, Northern Virginia and Staunton.