'Safety Patrol' Coming to Highways From Nashua to Concord

An expansion of the state's motorist Safety Patrol is starting on Thursday with a goal to help make the morning and evening commute safer and easier on highways between Nashua and Concord.

This public-private partnership between the New Hampshire Department of Transportation and State Farm the seeks to aid stranded motorist dealing with any number of issues.

The expansion of the motorist safety patrol, which already covers 30 miles of Interstate 95 in New Hampshire, assisting motorists Monday-Friday from 5:30- 8 a.m. and 3:30 to 6 p.m., was approved Wednesday by Gov. Maggie Hassan and Executive Council.

Beginning Dec. 5, a new Safety Patrol vehicle will travel the F.E. Everett Turnpike from Nashua to the Bedford - I 293/ NH101 interchange in Bedford, north to the I-293/I93 interchange in Hooksett, and continuing on I-93 to Exit 14 in Concord.  

"The new patrol will operate Monday through Friday during early morning and afternoon commuting hours, looking for stranded motorists and other traffic incidents," according to a press release from the DOT. "The goal of the patrol is to reduce the potential for significant traffic tie-ups by clearing minor incidents, removing debris, and assisting motorists in need of minor repairs such as flat tires, charging a battery or vehicle overheating, as quickly as possible."

The Safety Patrol vehicle will include the State Farm logo and enhanced, highly-reflective safety markings to make the vehicle and driver more visible to motorists, especially at night.  The sponsorship will also include the addition of highway signs indicating patrol covered routes.

The Safety Patrol will run from Monday throughThursday, 5-8 a.m. and 3:30-7 p.m., on Friday from 5-8 a.m. and 3:30-9 p.m. and on Sundays from 2-8 p.m. with some extra coverage possible for holidays and special events. 

"Studies show even minor incidents on the shoulder of a busy highway can have a significant impact on lane capacity, vehicle speeds and driver safety because drivers tend to shy away from fixed or still objects near the travel way," according to the press release. "Vehicles stranded on a congested highway due to a flat tire or being out of fuel have the potential to cause secondary incidents which are typically more serious in nature. The Safety Patrol helps reduce the potentially significant impacts by lending assistance to stranded motorists in order to quickly get off the roadway or shoulder."

The Safety Patrol communicates with the NHDOT’s Traffic Management Center (TMC) in Concord, which has direct contact with State Police and other emergency responders.  Those in need of minor roadside assistance can also call the TMC at 271-6TMC (271-6862). 

“From distracted drivers to aggressive drivers, State Farm knows there are many risks facing motorists, especially during the high-traffic holiday period,” said State Farm Vice President-Agency Matthew S. Hodson. “State Farm is pleased to help expand the Safety Patrol coverage area.  The program demonstrates our good neighbor commitment to helping people manage the risks of everyday life and recover from the unexpected."