Служба помощи на трассах Невады бесплатно эвакуирует автомобилистов и устраняет аварии

Inside NDOT's Freeway Service Patrol helping rescue stranded drivers LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — It's a service many drivers in the Las Vegas Valley and across Nevada may not know exists, but every day a team of technicians is working along busy highways to help stranded motorists and keep traffic moving safely. The Nevada Department of Transportation's (NDOT) Freeway Service Patrol responds to disabled vehicles, roadway debris, crashes and other incidents along Nevada freeways. From changing flat tires and jump-starting dead batteries to providing fuel and helping clear crash scenes, the program is designed to get drivers out of dangerous situations as quickly as possible. “One of the first things we do when we come up is we say, ‘Hi, my name is Eric. I am with the freeway service patrol; we are here to help you,’” said NDOT Freeway Service Patrol Technician, Eric Roberts. Roberts, who’s spent more than a decade as one of the valley’s nine dedicated Freeway Service Patrol technicians, says his work vehicle is stocked with tools, fuel, fire extinguishers and equipment needed to assist motorists on the side of the road. “We keep everything on the passenger side of the vehicle is due to safety. We want to be on the non-traffic side of the incident that we are responding to so that the motoring public can keep going on the other side,” Roberts said. While the work may seem routine, Roberts says every shift is different. During the summer months, however, many of the calls have a common cause. "It's just vehicles that are broken down that the motorists are not keeping up with tire maintenance, overheats, tires exploding, vehicles just breaking down that we find along the side of the shoulder, and every day is different,” While patrolling Nevada freeways, technicians aim to clear incidents as quickly and safely as possible, often within 30 minutes. But their responsibilities extend well beyond helping disabled drivers. The team also removes dangerous roadway debris, protects crash scenes, and works alongside the Nevada Highway Patrol and other first responders to safely manage traffic around incidents. During News 3's ride-along, what began as a routine day for Roberts responding to a stranded motorist quickly turned into assisting at a freeway crash along Interstate 15. “We went from helping motorists of the freeway to now closing lanes on the freeway for the crash,” Roberts explained. “We are providing scene safety for the NHP officer so they can do their crash reports and their incidents without having to worry about vehicles merging into the lane.” Despite the important role they play, Roberts said the job comes with significant risks. “The vehicles are not slowing down; they are not slowing down for us right now, and we are in a crash scene with our trucks, with NHP vehicles,” he said. "we have to constantly keep our head pointed back towards the traffic because the one person that is not paying attention is going to serve into our area and we have to keep mindful that it might happen,” Roberts urged drivers to obey Nevada's Move Over law by changing lanes when possible or slowing down when approaching emergency and service vehicles stopped along the roadway. "We just ask you for the move over law to help us stay away from trying to get away from us if you can't change lanes, at least slow down for us so that we can keep doing our job safely.” Whether it's jump-starting a battery, providing a small amount of fuel, changing a tire or arranging to tow a disabled vehicle, Roberts said many motorists are surprised to learn there is no charge for the service. "They'll respond with, 'How much does it cost?' It doesn't cost you anything. This is a state-provided program," Roberts said. "We're here to keep traffic moving, but we're mainly here for the safety of motorists." If a driver finds themselves in need of assistance, NDOT Freeway Service Patrol Technicians like Roberts recommend drivers stay inside their vehicle with their seat belts fastened if traffic is moving at highway speeds, as well as recommend calling 911 or *647 for NHP and wait for help to arrive.