Road Ranger Service Patrol - dial *FHP (*347) to request assistance
The Road Ranger Service Patrol is a service of the Florida Department of Transportation and its partners. Its mission is to provide
free highway assistance services during incidents to reduce delay and improve safety for the motoring public and responders.
In the late 1980s, the service focused on assisting disabled vehicles in construction zones and was first provided in District 4 by
a contractor at the Department's direction for the uncompleted section of I-95. In February of 1995, District 4 started the current
form of the Road Rangers, which initially covered the I-95 70-mile long corridor throughout Broward and Palm Beach Counties.
The program has since been expanded to include all types of roadway incidents; it has become one of the most effective of FDOT's
incident management programs. In December 1999, the Department began funding the program statewide.
There are 54 service patrol programs in 23 states across the country. Florida's program includes
approximately 111 patrol vehicles servicing 1,025 centerline miles. There are 15 vehicles in
Broward and Palm Beach Counties covering 111.3 centerline miles. In Broward County, 11 vehicles
cover 57.73 centerline miles, which includes I-95 (25.29 centerline miles), I-75 (19.58 centerline
miles), and I-595 (12.86 centerline miles). Note, however, that I-75 coverage only extends from the
Miami-Dade county line to the east toll plaza at Alligator Alley. Coverage from the eastern toll
plaza to Mile Marker 50 is on an on-call basis.
The Broward County Road Ranger fleet consists of 10 daytime (6:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.)
service patrol vehicles deployed Monday through Friday. The Road Rangers are dispatched from the
SMART SunGuide TMC. The Palm Beach County Road Ranger fleet consists of five daytime
(6:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.) service patrol vehicles deployed Monday through Friday. The Road Rangers
are dispatched from the Palm Beach Interim Traffic Management System TMC.
Click on the links below to find out more about the Road Ranger Service Patrol:
Road Ranger Services
The Broward County Road Rangers continuously rove I-95, I-75 and I-595 looking for stranded motorists, roadway debris, traffic
accidents, or other events that affect the normal flow of traffic. The following free services are provided by the Road
Rangers:
- Change flat tires
- Jump-start vehicles and make minor repairs
- Provide stranded motorists two free local calls
- Clear disabled vehicles from travel lanes
- Clear debris from travel lanes
- Supply emergency gasoline, diesel, water
- Monitor abandoned vehicles and notify FHP
- Provide maintenance-of-traffic (MOT) services during incidents
The Road Ranger trucks are equipped, at a minimum, with the following equipment:
- 5 gallons of speedy dry
- Cell phone
- Wood blocks
- Flashing arrow board
- First aid kits
- Gas / diesel
- Public address system
- 2-ton jacks
- Auto fluids
- Reflective cones
- Fire extinguishers
- Flares
- Booster cables
- Air compressor
- Water
To present a professional appearance, the drivers are required to wear uniforms and name tags. They are very courteous and
provide excellent customer service. A comment card is given to every assisted motorist, requesting mail in feedback on their
experience. Responses have been extremely positive and the program is a major success. Click here
for samples of actual Road Ranger Feedback and thank-you letters.
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Road Ranger Statistics
The growth of the program is illustrated in the increasing number of service assists every year for the last four years:
YEAR |
STATEWIDE |
DISTRICT 4 |
2006 |
|
82,632 |
2005 |
|
74,691 |
2004 |
|
75,815 |
2003 |
316,883 |
66,391 |
2002 |
279,525 |
63,058 |
2001 |
198,372 |
38,065 |
2000 |
112,000 |
35,267 |
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Road Ranger Feedback and "Thank You" Letters
On behalf of the Road Rangers and our program, we thank you for your wonderful and considerate letters and feedback. It is our
pleasure to serve you all. – District 4 Freeway Operations and TIM Project Manager
|
A TRUE PROFESSIONAL!
10-25-2006
Just a note to compliment driver Chris in Truck #416. He came to our aid and was most courteous and helpful in
getting us back on the road. He is a true professional. Thanks again for your program.
Sincerely,
Mr. & Mrs Hemendinger
Boynton Beach, Florida
|
|
THE ROAD RANGER WAS SO NICE TO ME
8-29-2006
Dear SunGuide Transportation,
I would like to thank the nice man who changed my tire for me on August 28, 2006 on I-95 north, near the Sample
Road exit in the vicinity of Fort Lauderdale. I believe his truck number was 401. The Road Ranger was so nice to me,
and I am so thankful that he came to my rescue.
Sincerely,
Karen Schoeler
Miami, Florida
|
|
I WAS SO IMPRESSED
8-4-2005
Good Morning,
I want to complement the Road Ranger’s service I received this past weekend, Saturday, May 7, as I was traveling
on I-95 north bound in Broward County.
My left rear tire blew out on my Acura as I was traveling along. I was successful in pulling over to a safe spot
on the shoulder, called my husband and was waiting for his arrival, knowing we did not have all the tools available
to take care of the problem. Two separate cars pulled over to ask if I needed help. A single female with a flat tire
does attract some attention. I sure did appreciate their concern, but sent them on their way, assuring them my husband
was coming. I was getting something in my car, and next thing I know, there is a tow truck parked behind my car. Did
my husband call for help? No, it was a friendly Road Ranger Kendrik, assuring me that he would take care of my tire.
I was not familiar with the service. I was so impressed with the capabilities the Road Rangers have.
Kendrik was professional and kind. Took care of my tire within 15 minutes. Kendrik told me all about the Road
Rangers, where they go, how often they are available. He is a real asset to your program. Please let him know that.
Thank you for providing this free service. It is comforting to know there is someone looking out for your safety
on the highway. I am going to email my friends who live in the area and tell them about your service.
Have a great day!
Danielle Kleinrichert
Fort Lauderdale, FL
|
Click here to see the archived feedback and thank you letters.
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Contact Information
For further information regarding the Road Ranger Program in Broward and Palm Beach Counties, please contact Gaetano
Francese at 954-847-2797
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the service cost motorists?
Motorists are not charged for the service and may also make up to two local phone calls while being assisted.
Can I call them if I need help while I'm stranded?
If you have a cell phone you may call *FHP for assistance, otherwise during operating hours they should be able to locate you
within 30 minutes as long as they are not detained by an emergency.
What are the operating hours?
In Broward and Palm Beach Counties the Road Rangers patrol the highways from 6 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
What is the service area?
I-95 from the Miami-Dade County line to County Road 708 in Martin County, I-595 in Broward County, and I-75 from Miami Gardens Drive to Alligator Alley toll plaza.
Coverage from the eastern toll plaza to Mile Marker 50 is on an on-call basis.
What happens when a repair exceeds the services offered?
The Road Rangers will move the vehicle to the nearest safe location and FHP will contact another towing service, at your
expense, to assist further.
What is my responsibility if I am stranded on the highway?
Pursuant to Florida state statute, Chapter 316,071, Florida's
Move It Law requires that damaged and disabled vehicles be moved out of the traffic lanes as soon as possible. If a damaged
vehicle is obstructing traffic, the driver of the vehicle must make every effort to move it or allow it to be moved.
How did the program come to be known as the Road Rangers?
In 2000 the name “Road Rangers” was established by way of a DOT sponsored contest.
How can I find out about the service patrol program in other Florida counties?
Contact the Department’s Deputy State Traffic Engineer, Mike Akridge, at Florida Department of Transportation, 605
Suwannee Street, MS 90 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0450. Telephone: 850-410-5607 or visit the
website.
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