Dangerous cold prompts Illinois Tollway to launch special Zero Weather Road Patrols to assist customers
When temperatures and windchills plunge dangerously low, the Illinois Tollway stepped up to assist its customers, launching around-the-clock roadway patrols to more quickly locate and aid drivers who are stranded in the cold along its roads.
The special Zero Weather Road Patrols operate whenever temperatures or sustained wind chills fall below zero degrees, bolstering the roadway assistance already provided by the Tollway’s Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) trucks and the Illinois State Police.
After temperatures sank into the deep freeze in January, Zero Weather patrols in their first four days on the road assisted or checked on more than 400 drivers who were stopped along the Tollway’s 294-mile system.
“Safety is always our top priority and when drivers face dangerously cold conditions, we launch Zero Weather Road patrols as an additional step to better protect and assist our customers,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “Adding around-the-clock patrols provide an extra margin of safety for our customers by enabling us to more quickly locate and aid drivers who need help while traveling on our roads.”
Customers who received help said they were pleased by the quick assistance provided by the Tollway road workers staffing the patrols.
“As soon as I pulled over, they pulled up right behind and asked to help,” said Ricardo Villanueva, who stopped on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) near the Touhy Avenue Toll Plaza because his car’s steering felt “wobbly.”
Tollway Roadway Maintenance division electrician John Wagner, who was working the Zero Weather Road Patrol, tightened several loose lug nuts on Villaneuva’s car tires, allowing him to safely continue his trip.
“Everyone always is very grateful to have us out there,” said Wagner, a 21-year veteran of the agency. “It makes us feel good that we’re helping out our neighbors. It can be very rewarding to help someone out and I feel like when it’s really, really cold out, that everyone might be a little more appreciative of the help.”
The 24-hour patrols search for drivers stranded in disabled vehicles and also respond to calls that come in to *999 motorist assistance, Illinois Tollway dispatch or Illinois State Police.
While the Tollway H.E.L.P. trucks supported by GEICO run from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, a minimum of 12 Zero Weather Road Patrols provide additional coverage through the day and night, including weekends. Illinois State Police also patrol the Tollway system 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Drivers who become stranded along the Tollway system should dial *999 for assistance and remain in their vehicle until help arrives.
The Zero Weather Road Patrols can assist drivers whose cars or trucks have empty fuel tanks, flat tires, batteries needed a boost or overheated radiators. The patrols consist of crew cab trucks equipped with arrow boards directing traffic accidents or stranded vehicles and accommodate passengers if drivers need to escorted to a Tollway maintenance garage, toll plaza or oasis while service is obtained.