NJDOT introduces Emergency Service Patrol tow trucks
ESP patrols to expand for Thanksgiving weekend
(Trenton) - New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Commissioner Kris Kolluri today announced the introduction of Emergency Service Patrol (ESP) tow truck service.
“These new tow trucks will provide NJDOT’s Emergency Service Patrol with another tool to help the motorists avoid congestion and travel delays caused by accidents and breakdowns on the state’s roadways,” Kolluri said.
NJDOT’s four tow trucks will provide courtesy towing service to motorists who have had an accident or vehicular breakdown in live travel lanes on state roadways. The service will help ESP responders clear incidents and increase traffic flow more quickly.
The ESP tow trucks will tow standard vehicles out of the travel lanes and to the shoulder or nearest safe location. Motorists must then secure a private towing service to reach gas stations, service plazas or car dealers. As with all existing ESP assistance, this service will be provided free of charge.
NJDOT outfitted and assigned two trucks each to the North and South regions, based in Cherry Hill, Springfield, Metuchen and Hanover. Each $60,900 tow truck will operate in assigned areas in its region and complement existing ESP patrols.
In order to promote traffic safety, NJDOT is suspending all construction activities that impact traffic and suspending construction for the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend.
NJDOT at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, November 22 will suspend all construction work that affects travel lanes on state highways. NJDOT will continue the suspension until noon on Monday, November 27. NJDOT will permit lane closures for emergency reasons only. NJDOT also will operate expanded Emergency Service Patrols (ESP) to assist motorists with disabled vehicles throughout New Jersey.
In addition, NJDOT will staff its Traffic Operations Centers through the holiday weekend. Motorists can view real-time traffic updates on NJDOT's commuter information website www.njcommuter.com .
NJDOT expects heavy traffic on interstate highways on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. Motorists on New Jersey roadways statewide may dial the following telephone numbers for assistance:
#77, to report aggressive drivers
#95 to report disabled vehicles and accidents on the New Jersey Turnpike
#GSP to report disabled vehicles on the Garden State Parkway
#ACE to report disabled vehicles on the Atlantic City Expressway.
NJDOT, the Federal Highway Administration and the State Police launched the Emergency Service Patrol in 1994 to keep highway lanes clear, reduce congestion and increase motorist safety. ESP assists motorists with disabled vehicles, helps control traffic around accidents and works with State and local police and fire departments and emergency personnel to manage incidents.
