HELP (Highway Emergency Local Patrol)
Mission
It is the mission of the NYS HELP program to facilitate the safe and efficient movement of people and goods by minimizing traffic congestion, and improving the operation of the highway system. HELP shall be an integral component of the Department's Incident Management Program, fostering partnerships with local and statewide law enforcement and emergency response agencies.
Background
The NYSDOT's HELP program has grown into one of the nation's largest and most successful roadway service patrol programs. Initiated in response to the need to reduce congestion due to nonrecurring incidents, HELP significantly decreases motorist delay and increases motorist safety by providing emergency roadside service to disabled vehicles on high volume, limited access roadways in several areas of New York State. HELP, a service provided free to the traveling public, has become an integral and extremely successful part of the New York State Department of Transportation's freeway incident management effort.
*To view a video 
of HELP in action, please click on a photo above.
HELP presently provides motorist assistance to vehicles traveling on 1445 miles of limited access interstate roadways, parkways, and expressways on Long Island, in New York City, the Lower Hudson Valley, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and the Albany Capital District. One hundred four (104) service trucks, including backup trucks, covering 27 distinct patrol areas, or beats, are utilized in this effort. These trucks are operated by NYSDOT employees or contracted to other service providers. The program is coordinated and monitored by the Department's local Transportation Management Centers (TMCs).
Thanks to the dedication and professionalism of the HELP teams, the Department believes that their mission is being accomplished. We are very proud of each and every HELP team member and of all the men and women who work hard to make all our highways safer and less congested.
