Stranded with a disabled vehicle along a crowded highway at rush hour? Get rolling again with HELP from the New York State Department of Transportation.

Our Highway Emergency Local Patrol (HELP) program provides free roadside emergency services on many major roads throughout the state during peak travel times. The assistance was established in 1994 to increase safety and to decrease congestion by clearing broken-down vehicles from active lanes of traffic.

Seventy blue and white service trucks cover 16 patrol areas in many metropolitan areas throughout the state, aiding more than 85,000 motorists annually.

The NYSDOT Highway Emergency Local Patrol (HELP) program provides free roadside emergency services on many major roads throughout the state during peak travel times. The program was established in 1994 to increase safety and decrease congestion by clearing broken-down vehicles from active lanes of traffic. It has grown into one of the nation's largest and most successful roadway service patrol programs. Each HELP operator is trained and certified in first aid and CPR. HELP assists disabled vehicles in many ways, including:

• Changing a tire
• Jump start a battery
• Temporarily repair a radiator hose
• Provide coolant for a radiator
• Provide a maximum of two gallons of gasoline
• Other minor repairs
• Provide motorists with directions or alternate routes
• Provide a cell phone for the public to make a local call
• Assist emergency service personnel with managing an incident

State Farm Insurance® entered into this partnership with the NYSDOT to promote highway safety.

State Farm Insurance® and the NYSDOT are proud to offer this service without charge to all motorists who travel throughout the state of New York.

The HELP crews patrol busy highways on standard daily schedules that vary by region, spotting an emergency and assisting as needed.

There is no charge for the service.

HELP operates Monday - Friday during the peak commuter hours in the metro areas of Albany, Buffalo, Hudson Valley, Long Island, New York City, and Rochester.

The HELP program does not have a phone number. If you break down on the highway: Contact your roadside assistance provider or call 911 to alert the police. They will ask NYSDOT if there is an available HELP truck in the area to send to your location or they will dispatch a tow truck on your behalf. Remain in your vehicle with your seatbelt on until assistance arrives and provides further instruction.

511 New York is the free, official one-stop, allencompassing telephone and Web service offering information on transportation services and conditions throughout New York State. This information is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Reminder: NY State Law requires the use of a hands-free device to place a call while driving, or a passenger should make the call.

511 NY provides traffic information including:

• Emergency alerts about major transportation problems
• Traffic conditions, camera images, speeds
• Work zones and construction reports
• Weather conditions and forecasts
• Transit Trip Planner

• Drivers involved in minor accidents with no serious injuries should move cars to the side of the road and out of the way of oncoming traffic. Make sure to turn on hazard lights.
• Dial 911 for assistance and follow their instructions.
• Check for and attend to injuries.
• Exchange driver and vehicle insurance information.
• Wait for assistance to arrive.

NYSDOT H.E.L.P. SPONSORED BY STATE FARM®
State Farm Insurance is the official sponsor of the Highway Emergency Local Patrol (HELP) traveler assistance service. The funding is used to help maintain and improve the existing New York State Department of Transportation managed program. New highway signs inform motorists that the HELP Patrol, sponsored by State Farm, is patrolling the highways. The patrols assist over 70,000 people annually, and State Farm's support of the program underscores the company's commitment to auto and highway safety. Additional benefits of the sponsorship include added reflective safety striping on patrol vehicles and increased public awareness of the program.

For more information about the NYSDOT HELP Patrol, sponsored by State Farm, please visit: www.dot.ny.gov/helpprogram Note: HELP drivers are not authorized to contact State Farm® on behalf of the motorists or assist in insurance claims.