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Safety Service Patrol

VDOT Safety Worker

The Virginia Department of Transportation's Safety Service Patrol assists stranded motorists and provides traffic control during traffic incidents.

A Variety of Services

The patrol wears bright, highly visible uniforms and drives specially equipped pickup trucks. When possible, the patrol will:

  • Jump start vehicles
  • Provide gasoline or diesel fuel
  • Provide water
  • Change tires
  • Start debris removal
  • Provide cellular telephone service to a disabled motorist
  • Provide directions and a state map
  • Provide CPR and limited first aid until emergency services arrive

Service Areas and Hours

Hampton Roads: 24 hours a day, every day

  • Interstate 64, up to Fort Eustis (exit 250)
  • Interstate 264
  • Interstate 464
  • Interstate 564
  • Interstate 664

Northern Virginia: 24 hours a day, every day

  • Interstates 95/395 from the Stafford County line (mile marker 148) to the Washington, D.C., line
  • Interstate 495 from the Woodrow Wilson Bridge (Maryland side) to the American Legion Bridge (Maryland side)
  • Interstate 66 from the Washington, D.C., line to Gainesville (exit 43)
  • Dulles Toll Road

Roanoke/Salem: 8 a.m. - 10 p.m., Friday - Tuesday*

  • Interstate 81 from Christiansburg (exit 118) to Troutville (exit 156)
  • Interstate 581, Roanoke
  • Route 220 expressway, Roanoke
*6 a.m. - 10 p.m. on Memorial Day, July 4 and Labor Day

Fredericksburg: 4 a.m. - 8 p.m., every day

I-95 from the Caroline/Hanover county line (mile marker 101) to the Stafford/Prince William county line (mile marker 148)

Northern Shenandoah Valley: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., every day

I-81 from Strasburg (exit 298, Route 11) to exit 323 (Route 669, Frederick County)

Augusta County: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., every day

I-81 from Greenville (exit 213, Route 11) to the Rockingham County line (mile marker 237)
I-64 from the junction with I-81 (exit 87 on I-81) to exit 107 (Route 250, Crozet)

Also on I-64: 6 a.m. - 7 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. weekends

From exit 107 to exit 124

Interstate 77 Mountain Tunnels area: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. every day

I-77 between exits 24 and 58
I-81 between exits 70 and 86

Who to Contact for Help

If you are faced with a life-threatening emergency while traveling on Virginia’s roadways, call 911 immediately.

Motorists should report stranded vehicles, vehicle crashes and any obstructions in the roadway that may cause a hazard, to the Virginia State Police by calling *77 with their cellular phone.

VDOT’s Highway Helpline is also available for citizens to report unsafe roadway conditions such as debris, potholes or downed traffic signals. Motorists can call 1-800-367-ROAD to report incidents 24/7.


Providing Service Since 1972

The free roadway service began in 1972 in the Northern Virginia suburbs. It was initiated to reduce congestion caused by vehicle breakdowns and other incidents on holiday weekends.


More Information

From the Virginia Transportation Research Council:

 

Page last modified: Tuesday, May 06, 2008