CREDIT JUSTIN TOMCZAK / STATE FARM
Starting Tuesday, Georgia is replacing 10 HERO, or Highway Emergency Response Operator, trucks that help stranded motorists on interstate highways with bigger models that can handle more traffic emergencies in the Atlanta area.
HERO’s larger, bright yellow trucks will mostly be used for overnight and long-distance trips.
“They’re not as good as our current trucks on maneuvering through a very jammed rush-hour traffic, but for those overnight routes, they provide not only the capability of carrying more material, but they’re also larger, can easily be seen at night,” said Natalie Dale with the Georgia Department of Transportation.
The 10 new, 13-foot long trucks will replace 10 old trucks and cost GDOT $2 million. State Farm is a sponsor of the program, and since 2009 the insurance company has contributed 20 percent of the HERO program’s $10 million operating budget each year.
There are a total of 100 Highway Emergency Response Operator program trucks in Georgia.
Dale said the vehicles will have roll-up doors and compartments to make exits safer, bright LED lights and larger message boards.
She said the trucks will offer “twice as much gas for cars that run out of gas and twice as much equipment” to deal with emergency evacuations of the state, chemical spills, extreme weather events and overturned tractor trailers.
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