Special patrols provide additional protection for drivers
The Illinois Tollway is deploying around-the-clock Zero Weather Road Patrols to more quickly locate and assist drivers who become stranded on the Tollway system during the dangerously cold weather forecast to continue through the week.
The Illinois Tollway typically operates Zero Weather Road Patrols whenever temperatures or sustained wind chills fall below zero degrees to bolster the roadway assistance already provided by the Illinois Tollway’s Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) trucks and the Illinois State Police.
The 24-hour Zero Weather Road 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.
“Safety is always our top priority and with drivers facing dangerously cold conditions, we are operating Zero Weather Road Patrols as an additional step to better protect and assist our customers,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “These 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.”
Drivers who become stranded along the Tollway system should dial *999 for assistance and remain in their vehicle until help arrives.
While Tollway H.E.L.P. trucks sponsored 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 throughout the day and night, including weekends.
Additionally, Illinois State Police patrol the Tollway system 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The Zero Weather Road Patrols consist of crew cab trucks equipped with arrow boards for directing traffic around accidents or stranded vehicles and accommodate passengers if motorists need to be transported to a Tollway maintenance garage, toll plaza or Tollway oasis while service is obtained.
Cars or trucks with empty fuel tanks, flat tires, batteries needing a boost, or overheated radiators are just some of the most frequent problems reported among drivers needing help.
Before traveling, to receive real-time information on pavement conditions and roadway incidents, drivers should sign up for Tollway Trip Tweets at twitter.com or from the Tollway’s website at illinoistollway.com. Drivers can follow all five Tollway Trips or just the roadways that interest them. The five are: @94_294_Tollway, @I_90_Tollway, @I_88_Tollway, @I_355_Tollway and @IL_390_Tollway
Winter Weather Travel Tips
The Tollway offers the following travel tips to keep safe during dangerously cold weather:
- Cell phone users should call *999 motorist assistance for roadway assistance and note the roadway and direction of travel and nearest milepost or crossroad.
- Be sure your cell phone is fully charged before heading out.
- Be sure tires are properly inflated during cold weather. Tires lose a pound of pressure for every 10 degrees the temperature drops.
- Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up and ensure that you have extra to account for additional driving time if the weather is unfavorable.
- Keep a cold weather safety kit in your car that includes gloves, boots, blankets, road flares, water and a flashlight with fresh batteries.
- Stranded motorists should turn on their emergency lights and remain in their vehicles until help arrives.
About the Illinois Tollway
The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.
