WisDOT freeway service team now sponsored by State Farm

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced the launch of the newly named Wisconsin DOT State Farm Safety Patrol, a service that provides free roadway assistance to motorists in need.

“When there’s a crash or a motorist is having vehicle trouble on the highway, it can create problems for everyone,” said WisDOT Secretary Dave Ross. “As driver safety is core to the WisDOT mission, we’re excited about the potential to effectively manage incidents and keep traffic flowing with as few interruptions as possible.”

Comprised of specially equipped vehicles that patrol high-volume roadways and major work zones, the Wisconsin DOT State Farm Safety Patrol offers free, limited roadside assistance to drivers in need. Services include providing small amounts of fuel, changing flat tires and jump-starting vehicles, as well removing debris from the roadway. The flatbed patrol vehicles also help relieve congested traffic at the scenes of incidents and accidents. If necessary, the Wisconsin DOT State Farm Safety Patrol quickly relocates disabled vehicles from the highway’s travel lanes and/or shoulders to safe, pre-designated locations away from traffic.

“Our support of the Wisconsin DOT State Farm Safety Patrol program embodies our ‘good neighbor’ philosophy,” said Ed Gold, State Farm advertising director. “It also underscores the continued commitment State Farm has to auto safety, while helping people recover from the unexpected, which is the heart of the State Farm mission.”

Service patrols are used nationwide and are generally accepted as an effective tool for traffic incident management. Wisconsin’s Freeway Service Teams were born nearly two decades ago in an effort to enhance incident management, aid law enforcement, and keep traffic moving safely.

As a part of the State Farm sponsorship, motorists can now learn more about the program and share their feedback via digital reviews at www.AssistPatrol.com. Motorists can also share their patrol stories via social media using the hashtag #AssistPatrol.

Wisconsin is the eighteenth state to benefit from the State Farm patrol sponsorship. State Farm supports similar safety patrols in Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

Hours of operation for the Wisconsin DOT State Farm Safety Patrol vary by region. Specific routes and coverage hours are as follows:

• Milwaukee – I-94 from Barker Road to Hawley Road and I-41/894 from Burleigh Street to Beloit Road. Monday through Friday: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• I-39/90 (Dane and Rock counties) - US 12/18 Beltline to US 51 (Stoughton Exit 156); US 51 (Stoughton Exit 156) to US 14 (Janesville exit 175 B); US 14 (Janesville exit 175 B) to state line. Monday through Thursday: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Madison Area - Hammersley Road to County PB. Monday through Friday: 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 6:00 pm.
• Green Bay (Brown counties) - WIS 96 (Exit 171) to WIS 172 to Monroe Road. Monday through Friday: 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.; Monday through Thursday: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday: 12 p.m. through 8 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m. through 2 p.m.; Sunday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Manitowoc – County XX (Exit 137) to US 151 (exit 149). Patrol hours same as Green Bay.
• Appleton (Multiple) - County CB to WIS 47 Appleton Road. Monday through Friday: 6:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.