CTDOT Press Releases
06/01/2022
CTDOT and GEICO Team up to Promote Highway Safety
Sponsorship augments free Safety Patrol services as busy summer driving season begins
(Newington, CT) - Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) Commissioner Joseph Giulietti today announced that GEICO is the new sponsor of the CTDOT Safety Patrol. The additional support from GEICO comes at the start of the busy summer driving season when there is increased demand on Safety Patrol services needed to keep roadways clear and safe. The CTDOT Safety Patrol is also funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
“Our priority is to make the highways and roadways safe and passable for all users. We are grateful for the GEICO sponsorship of the CTDOT Safety Patrol, in addition to FHWA’s support that will help ensure we continue to offer these critical services,” said CTDOT Commissioner Joseph Giulietti. “Nearly 15,000 motorists call the CTDOT Safety Patrol every year, and being able to help keep them from injury, traffic interruption, or a major delay in their travel is why we are here.”
The summer months see an increase of as much as 26.7% for incidents cleared by the patrol, and the services rendered by the CTDOT Safety Patrol, sponsored by GEICO, are crucial in helping to save lives on Connecticut highways. Despite extended work-from-home patterns causing shifts in commute times, speeds and crashes are up and the need for the Safety Patrol sponsored by GEICO is now more critical than ever.
“Driver and pedestrian safety have always been a paramount focus for GEICO,” said Mindy Seibold, Regional Vice President, GEICO. “With more cars hitting the road and drivers increasingly distracted, it is vital we do what we can to ensure people get from point A to point B safely. We are proud to do our part by sponsoring the CTDOT Safety Patrol.”
In addition to assisting stranded motorists, the Safety Patrol also helps State Police work more safely and efficiently by providing backup at incident scenes and freeing troopers up to handle more urgent calls. Moreover, sponsorship allows for Safety Patrol program improvements and the incorporation of innovative technologies to increase safety.
Advocated by the FHWA, the Safety Patrol is an integral part of the state’s incident management program, responding to nearly 15,000 service calls annually. Each weekday from 5:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Safety Patrol vehicles patrol highways across Connecticut including I-84, I-91, I-95, I-291, I-395, Route 2, Route 7, Route 8, and Route 15 (Merritt Parkway). Official highway signs informing motorists of the patrolled routes will now feature the GEICO logo. There is no charge for the service and patrol operators cannot accept tips.
The CTDOT Safety Patrol sponsored by GEICO provides limited roadside assistance at no charge to drivers in need, including changing flat tires, jump-starting vehicles, and moving disabled vehicles to the shoulder. The service also provides a multitude of additional benefits including reducing wasted fuel and pollution by alleviating congestion, which helps the environment. Plus, the patrols provide incident and traffic management and emergency/incident response and can help with small safety repairs.
Stranded motorists are relieved when the Safety Patrol arrives on scene, seemingly out of the blue.
In a recent survey submitted by a motorist assisted by the CTDOT Safety Patrol, the motorist writes: “My husband and I had a flat tire on the side of the road on Interstate 684. Mike came by five minutes later and put our spare tire on in a matter of minutes. He was professional, friendly, and very helpful. He made a very stressful situation much better. We are very thankful he stopped and helped us.”
A member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies, GEICO is a stable company that was founded 85 years ago and consistently works to make driving safer for all travelers. GEICO continues to focus on driver safety through sponsorship of the CTDOT Safety Patrol and patrols in nine other states.
More information about the Safety Patrol sponsored by GEICO can be found at SafetyPatrolinfo.com and CT.gov/DOT.
GEICO Living is also a great source for auto safety related articles and tips. Assisted motorists are encouraged to share about the help they received by posting to social media. Motorists will be able to tag the patrols using #GEICOSafetyPatrol.
About GEICO
GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company), the second-largest auto insurer in the U.S., was founded in 1936 and insures more than 30 million vehicles in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. A member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies, GEICO employs more than 41,000 associates countrywide. GEICO constantly strives to make lives better by protecting people against unexpected events while saving them money and providing an outstanding customer experience. Along with personal auto insurance, commercial auto and personal umbrella coverages are also available. Homeowners, renters, condo, flood, identity theft, term life, and more coverages are written through non-affiliated insurance companies and are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc. Visit geico.com for a quote or to learn more.
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