The Maine Turnpike Authority this morning was scheduled to announce a new safety patrol sponsored by the insurance company State Farm. MTA spokeswoman Erin Courtney on Thursday said there is no cost to the turnpike authority for the service, and no fee to consumers who use it.
The Maine Turnpike State Farm Safety Patrol is a program dedicated to increasing safety and reducing congestion on the Maine Turnpike by assisting motorists with disabled vehicles, providing traffic control during accidents, removing debris from the roadway and responding to crash scenes.
Beginning Monday, the safety patrol will be out from 3:30-7 p.m. weekdays from Biddeford to Portland – exits 32 to 48 – year-round.
On Saturday, the service debuts from York to Kennebunk; it will stop on that stretch for the season after Columbus Day weekend and resume again Memorial Day weekend.
Courtney said the MTA had seen a similar program in New Hampshire, and sought proposals for a patrol that could provide public assistance. As it turned out, State Farm sponsors similar programs in other states at no cost. The insurance company subcontracts the patrol to a company called Autobase, she said.
“It’s a way to keep the roads safer. As soon as we can get a disabled motorist back on the road, it’s better,” said Courtney, pointing out that with cars whizzing by at 70 mph, folks whose vehicles have broken down are much safer the sooner they can get moving again.
She said the safety patrol will be very visible.
The safety patrol will help Maine State Police and other first responders by providing traffic control at crash scenes, Courtney said, putting out cones, cleaning debris and more. The patrol can also provide an emergency weather response, jump-start a battery, deal with a flat tire and provide gas to a motorist whose tank has run dry.
According to State Farm, the program operates in New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina and a host of other states.
— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].
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