Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Tollway has initiated 24-hour Hot Weather Patrols to assist drivers stranded on its roads during a period of high temperatures and humidity. These patrols aim to provide quick roadside assistance as the heat wave is expected to persist into the following week.

The Tollway's special Hot Weather Patrols are activated when temperature or heat index levels suggest hazardous conditions for drivers stopped along the road. The patrols, operating around the clock, seek out stranded motorists in disabled vehicles and respond to calls from *999 motorist assistance, Illinois Tollway dispatch, or Illinois State Police.

"During this dangerously hot weather, we are adding these additional road patrols to better protect our customers by ensuring we can more rapidly find and aid drivers who are stranded along our roads or need assistance," said Cassaundra Rouse, Executive Director of the Illinois Tollway. "Safety is always our highest priority and operating these Hot Weather Patrols provides an additional layer of protection to drivers whose vehicles have become disabled so they can quickly obtain the assistance they need to safely continue their travels."

Motorists requiring help on the Tollway system should dial *999 for roadway assistance, providing details such as roadway direction and nearest milepost or crossroad. Stranded drivers are advised to turn on emergency lights and stay with their vehicles until help arrives.

In addition to regular Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) trucks supported by GEICO, which operate from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, at least 12 Hot Weather Patrols will be available throughout the heat wave. These patrols use crew cab trucks equipped with arrow boards for directing traffic around disabled vehicles and can transport passengers if necessary.

Hot Weather Patrols typically assist with issues like empty fuel tanks, flat tires, dead batteries, or overheated radiators.

The Illinois Tollway also provides summer travel tips: maintain proper tire inflation; ensure fluid levels are adequate; keep an emergency kit in your vehicle; avoid using hand-held phones while driving; and slow down for stopped vehicles with hazard lights activated.

Drivers can take breaks at oases along the Tollway system that offer food, beverages, retail options, 7-Eleven stores, and fuel stations. Notable locations include Lake Forest and Chicago Southland Lincoln in South Holland on the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80), Hinsdale and O’Hare sites with 7-Eleven stores and fuel stations, as well as pavilions on Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) in DeKalb and Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) in Belvidere.

Information from this article can be found here.