The Safety Service Patrol, a program that assists stranded drivers in heavily trafficked areas, has been scaled back as a result of state budget cuts to VDOT.
Currently, over 100,000 drivers with flat tires, breakdowns, no fuel and other emergencies are helped every year in four areas of the state. Northern Virginia accounts for 65,000 of these cases with the rest coming from Hampton Roads, I-95 near Fredericksburg and I-81 and I-581 near Roanoke.
As a result of the cuts, several reductions in service will be implemented. Twenty-three part time contracted employees will be let go from the northern Virginia area.
In the other regions, operation hours will be reduced. Patrols will be cut down from their current 24-hour length, with modifications made in the summer to accommodate Hampton Roads vacation travelers. Hampton Roads will also see a reduction in its length of serviced highway, from 88 to 41 miles.
In an effort to meet a monetary shortfall, VDOT Commissioner Philip Shucet cut half of the $8 million in annual funding the Safety Service Patrol had received. In addition, $90 million was cut from other administrative and non-critical VDOT budgets.
Layoffs within VDOT, however, were not necessary, because over 200 previously vacant positions will remain unfilled. In addition, 18 equipment shop employees were transferred to another agency.
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