City Alerts Residents to *999—Tollway's Zero Patrols During Cold Weather

The city of Geneva sent an e-mail yesterday reminding residents of the Zero Weather Road Patrols that are available from the Illinois Tollway.

The following information is courtesy of the Illinois Tollway.

The Tollway's Zero Weather Road patrols assist drivers stranded in their cars during the first deep freeze of the 2010-2011 winter season and are implemented when temperatures and/or wind chills drop below zero.

The Tollway activated Zero Patrols ton Monday and into today and will continue until the temperature and/or wind chill rise above zero.

The 24-hour service dedicates hourly patrols in search of motorists stranded in disabled vehicles, or in response to calls that come in to *999 motorist assistance, Illinois Tollway dispatch or Illinois State Police District 15.

"Being stranded without gas or with a flat tire in sub-zero weather can be a frightening experience," said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur. "The Zero Weather Road Patrols provide additional service to Tollway customers who can be assured that we will be there to help when needed."

While Tollway Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) trucks run from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, the Zero Weather Road Patrols work throughout the day and night, including weekends. Cars or trucks with empty fuel tanks, flat tires, overheated radiators or mechanical problems are just some of the most frequent problems reported among the motorists needing help.

Other Tollway Services

The Tollway's Traffic and Incident Management System (TIMS) provides real-time travel times via the Illinois Tollway's Web site, www.illinoistollway.com. TIMS coordinates travel times and roadway information through the use of more than 200 roadway cameras, I-PASS electronic toll collection data, system-wide weather sensors, computer-aided dispatch for Illinois Tollway maintenance and Illinois State Police District 15 and motorist phone calls. 

In addition, the Illinois Tollway operates a toll-free telephone line to keep customers up to date about weather conditions on its roadways. Customers can call 1-800-TOLL-FYI (1-800-865-5394) to get recorded information that is updated every two hours or as conditions require during winter storms.

Winter Weather Travel Tips

The Tollway offers the following travel tips to keep safe during extreme temperatures:

• Stranded motorists should turn on their emergency lights and remain in their vehicles until help arrives.
• Cell phone users should call *999 motorist assistance for roadway assistance, or to report other motorists pulled over on the side of the road.
• Before calling, try to note the nearest milepost marker -- a green and white sign that displays a number, direction of travel and route designation shield -- so the stranded motorist can be quickly located.

Article and photo courtesy of the Illinois Tollway.