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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 sponsored by State Farm. Its mission is to provide free highway assistance services during incidents to reduce delay and improve safety for the motoring public and responders.
In Broward County, Road Rangers cover I-95, I-75 and I-595 (monitored and maintained by I-595 Express, LLC). Services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. On Oakland Park Boulevard, service is available from 6 a.m. – 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. on weekdays only. Coverage on Oakland Park Boulevard is eastbound and westbound from University Drive to US 1.
In Palm Beach County Road Rangers cover I-95 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. Road Rangers are dispatched from the Transportation Management Center in their respective county.
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 (monitored and maintained by I-595 Express, LLC) 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 number of service assists every year.
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Year
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Statewide
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District Four
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2008
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320,207
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76144
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2007
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354,053
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87,725
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2006
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277,537
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82,632
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2005
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298,776
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74,691
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2004
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342,895
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75,815
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2003
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316,883
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66,391
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2002
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279,525
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63,058
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2001
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198,372 |
38,065 |
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2000
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112,000
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35,267
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History
In the late 1980s, the service focused on assisting disabled vehicles in construction zones and was first provided in District Four by a contractor at the Department's direction for the expansion of I-95 in Broward County. In February of 1995, District Four started the current form of the Road Rangers, which initially covered the I-95 corridor throughout Broward. Palm Beach County was added in 1997. 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. The name Road Rangers was selected from a statewide contest in 2000.
Road Ranger Feedback and Thank You Letters
Below are excerpts from our most recent Road Ranger thank you letters.
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January 4, 2010
Thank you, Adam, for perfect timing and being there to help.
Sincerely,
Cass R.
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October 30, 2009
The word that comes to mind is OUTSTANDING!!
I was on my way back to a financial center that had a serious security issue, I really needed to get there and resolve the problem. Between Atlantic and Linton my right rear tire blew, with all of 10,000 miles on it, go figure. I limped my service van to the side of the road and got out to survey carnage when I noticed a road ranger truck pull up with lights flashing and a very pleasant man asking how may I help. Well, could do the tire change but help, I don't turn down so together, being very careful of the weight of the vehicle and traffic we put the spare on the van, put all the tolls away and he help load the deflated tire in the back of the van.
You hear about how service is performed today in business, and I will soon to have my MBA, my studies often extend to the level of service today and just how important "service" can be and infer to so many other unrelated deficiencies. Thank you for providing this excellent timely professional service!
David K.
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December 8, 2009
I had a roadside emergency on my way to meet the ship “Oasis” at Port Everglades. Luis arrived within minutes of my telephone call to Road Ranger Service Patrol. He was wonderful. He quickly changed my flat tire, and I was back on my way. I want to take this opportunity to thank Luis and offer this note of commendation on his behalf. He saved the day for me!
Very truly yours,
Maria M.
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Contact Information
For additional information contact Gaetano Francese at the SMART SunGuide TMC.
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 (*347) 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 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. In Broward County, Road Rangers patrol Oakland Boulevard from 6 a.m. - 9 a.m. and 4 p.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 Mile Marker 50.
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?
For more information on the Florida Road Ranger program, visit the State Web site.
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