Скачать или смотреть Dallas Sheriff Courtesy Patrol

DALLAS SHERIFF COURTESY PATROL / ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE


As we get into the summer months, the hot weather can play havoc on vehicles and lead to several stranded motorists on the Dallas freeways. A record number of people are expected to travel over the summer as families look to go on trips after being stuck at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure the families traveling this summer arrive safely, the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office Courtesy Patrol is there to help. The Courtesy Patrol are out daily assisting stranded motorists in a safe and efficient manner and making sure the local freeway system is free of stalled or broken-down vehicles. The Courtesy Patrol units work closely with local fire departments and law enforcement agencies to assist with traffic control, motor vehicle fires or crash investigations, and assist to clear incidents from the freeways as safely and quickly as possible.

Several years ago, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office entered into an inter-local cooperation agreement for this roadside assistance program. Research had shown that the quicker a stalled vehicle was removed from the freeway system, the less likelihood of an automobile accident, either directly or indirectly. The presence of a stalled vehicle in a high-speed freeway traffic lane is a dangerous traffic hazard, not only to the occupants of the stalled vehicle, but to those vehicles approaching. Below are a few safety tips:

What to do if your vehicle breaks down

• Stay calm.
• Make your vehicle visible - Turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers as soon as you sense something's wrong. Keep them on until help arrives
• Slow Down and Pull off the Road. Aim for the right shoulder of the road. If you can, pull over to a safe, flat location that is as far away from moving traffic as possible.
• Call for help. Call or use an app to get a tow truck, mechanic or roadside assistance. If you're in an emergency situation or are not sure who to contact, call 911 or the local police for help. You can also contact the Dallas County Courtesy Patrol by dialing the number located on the back of your driver license.

It's important to be prepared for the unexpected, especially on the road. Hopefully you'll avoid any bumps in the road, but it's helpful to know what to do just in case.