AASHTO Journal - New Sponsor for Georgia DOT Safety Patrol Programs

The Georgia Department of Transportation has forged a new partnership with GEICO as the statewide sponsor of the Coordinated Highway Assistance & Maintenance Program, known as “CHAMP,” and the Highway Emergency Response Operators or “HERO” program that serves the Atlanta metropolitan area.

[Above photo by Georgia DOT]

The CHAMP and HERO patrol services on Georgia’s interstate highways help over 200,000 drivers each year and their assistance also helps alleviate traffic congestion, prevent secondary crashes, and keep traffic moving, the agency said.

Assistance is available to all drivers on covered patrol routes, with no GEICO policy required and is free for any roadway traveler on Georgia’s interstates simply by dialing 511 and requesting assistance from live operators 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

GEICO’s sponsorship provides supplementary funding for CHAMP and HERO, supporting equipment and operational enhancements for these free services provided to the traveling public. Additionally, sponsorship amplifies awareness of the highway patrol programs, with GEICO presence on informational CHAMP and HERO highway signs informing motorists of patrolled routes, noted Russell McMurry, commissioner of the Georgia DOT, in a statement.

“With increased traffic expected this summer – from seasonal travel to visitors coming in for FIFA World Cup matches and related events – Georgia’s CHAMP and HERO patrols will be critical to keeping our highways safe, clear, and moving,” said McMurry, who also serves as the president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

“Our top priority is maintaining a reliable transportation system for both residents and visitors,” he added. “We appreciate GEICO’s support of these essential patrols, which help sustain these no-cost services for motorists while also creating a valuable funding source to enhance roadway safety and reliability, particularly during this period of heightened demand.”

CHAMP patrols 965 miles across 35 routes outside of Atlanta. It is operated by a contractor on behalf of Georgia DOT and provides comprehensive roadway support by assisting motorists when safe and feasible; responding to incidents with traffic control and clearance; detecting and verifying crashes; supporting law enforcement; removing debris and minor spills; addressing abandoned vehicles; maintaining safe traffic flow; and identifying roadway maintenance needs.

CHAMP is available from 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., with coverage on the following highways and interstates outside metro Atlanta: I-75, I-475, I-20, State Route 520, I-85, I-185, I-16, I-516, I-575 and I-985. Specific patrol routes, a map and other details can be found on the CHAMP website.

Meanwhile, HERO units patrols 382 miles on 32 routes in the metro Atlanta area and are dispatched to traffic-related incidents with the primary duty to clear roads so that normal traffic flow is restored. HEROs also assist stranded motorists by changing flat tires, jump-starting batteries, providing fuel or coolant, pushing vehicles to the shoulder, transporting motorists to safe areas away from traffic, administering first aid, and performing minor mechanical repairs.

The HERO program operates 24/7, patrolling interstates including I-20, I-75, I-85, I-285, I-575, I-675, I-985, and major highways SR 400, SR 166/Langford Pkwy, and US 78. Specific patrol routes, map and other details can be found on the HERO website.

“Helping drivers through the unexpected is at the heart of what we do at GEICO, and CHAMP and HERO do exactly that every day on Georgia’s roads,” said Joe Termini, GEICO’s government affairs lead for Georgia. “We are proud to put our name behind patrols that get drivers moving again and keep these roads safer for everyone.”