Interstate safety program now available

Should trouble arise, interstate motorists in the Tuscaloosa area now have a free helping hand courtesy of the Alabama Department of Transportation.

The aid is coming from ALDOT’s Alabama Service and Assistance Patrol (ASAP) program, which is now available to Interstate 20/59 drivers in the 18-mile stretch between the exits for Interstate 359 and Mercedes-Benz U.S. International.

“I-20/59 is a heavily traveled corridor and vital to commerce,” said John McWilliams, spokesman for ALDOT’s West Central Region, “so it’s important that we provide a service that improves safety, traffic flow and reduces incident duration times.”

Available weekdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., stranded drivers can reach ASAP by calling 205-348-5198.

McWilliams said services provided by Tuscaloosa’s ASAP vehicle include offering assistance with crashes, disabled vehicles or any other roadway obstruction to more personal services like changing a flat tire, jump-starting a battery, providing water for an overheated vehicle or providing a limited amount of gas.

“ASAP is not a vehicle towing service,” McWilliams said, “but it can help motorists get to a safe place.”

Drivers should look for a white pick-up truck with emergency lights on top and ALDOT, ALGO Traffic and ASAP logos placed along the sides. The ASAP trucks are equipped with traffic cones, push bumpers and a mobile weather station, along with other specialized equipment.

The ASAP drivers undergo a series of training programs, including the National Traffic Incident Management Responder program, to prepare for the job, McWilliams said.

ALDOT first introduced ASAP in Birmingham in 1997 and added the program in Mobile about 10 years later.

Last year, the program was installed in Montgomery before bring the program to Tuscaloosa.

McWilliams said Tuscaloosa currently has one ASAP driver but ALDOT intends to add more soon.

Reach Jason Morton at jason. morton@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0200.