Oklahoma drivers can expect to see some extra help on the highways and interstates as they drive into 2019. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) is increasing its accident response capability in the Oklahoma City metro with the addition of two GO-DOT safety patrol vehicles.
Originally introduced in August 2018 as part of the I-235 widening in OKC, GO-DOT assisted drivers that were stranded in the busy work zone by moving them to a safe location. This new effort will see GO-DOT’s patrol vehicles on OKC’s busiest interstates and aims to have two more vehicles in the Tulsa metro within the future. Motorists are still encouraged to call *55 or 911 in the case of an emergency since GO-DOT is not an emergency or tow service.
GO-DOT is a FREE service to interstate drivers and is available from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and will provide:
- The ability to relocate a stranded vehicle to a safe location.
- Tire change, minor repairs, motorist assistance and debris removal.
- Fuel and basic first aid items.
- Assistance for law enforcement and emergency services at vehicle crash scenes.
- A specialty trained operator.
- ODOT’s continuing commitment to keep workers and drivers safe.
The addition of GO-DOT comes as ODOT increases its commitment to transportation safety with the signing of the Oklahoma Traffic Incident Management (OKTIM) charter. The TIM began as a suggested program from the Federal Highway Administration and has been adopted by transportation departments nationwide.
The signing of the OKTIM charter formalizes the coalition of more than 30 organizations lead by ODOT and will enable the coalition to better guide TIM training in the state. Signatories include ODOT, Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, Oklahoma Highway Safety Office, local fire and police departments and wrecker services.
