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Illinois Tollway deploys Zero Weather Road Patrols amid dangerously cold temps

By FOX 32 Digital Staff
Published  January 15, 2024 4:52pm CST
Severe Weather
FOX 32 Chicago

Illinois Tollway deploys Zero Weather Road patrols to help stranded drivers

The Illinois Tollway is deploying patrols made up of trucks that can divert traffic around stranded drivers.

CHICAGO - The Illinois Tollway is deploying Zero Weather Road Patrols this week to quickly locate and help drivers who become stranded as the state continues to see dangerously cold weather.

The Illinois Tollway activates Zero Weather Road Patrols whenever temperatures or sustained wind chills drop below zero degrees. This enhances the existing roadway assistance offered by the Illinois Tollway’s Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) trucks and the Illinois State Police.

The 24-hour Zero Weather Road Patrols actively seek drivers stranded in disabled vehicles and promptly respond to calls received through *999 motorist assistance, Illinois Tollway dispatch or Illinois State Police.

"Safety is always our top priority and with drivers facing dangerously cold conditions, we are operating Zero Weather Road Patrols as an additional step to better protect and assist our customers," said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. "These around-the-clock patrols provide an extra margin of safety for our customers by enabling us to more quickly locate and aid drivers who need help while traveling on our roads."

The Illinois Tollway offered the following tips to motorists who are traveling during dangerously cold temperatures:

  1. Cell phone users should call *999 motorist assistance for roadway assistance and note the roadway and direction of travel and nearest milepost or crossroad.
  2. Be sure your cell phone is fully charged before heading out. 
  3. Be sure tires are properly inflated during cold weather. Tires lose a pound of pressure for every 10 degrees the temperature drops. 
  4. Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up and ensure that you have extra to account for additional driving time if the weather is unfavorable. 
  5. Keep a cold weather safety kit in your car that includes gloves, boots, blankets, road flares, water and a flashlight with fresh batteries. 
  6. Stranded motorists should turn on their emergency lights and remain in their vehicles until help arrives.