INDOT workers busy offering drivers a helping hand
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – A group of INDOT workers has been especially busy the past few days thanks to the weather, but several drivers couldn’t be happier to see them working so hard.
If you’re in trouble on one of the highways that weaves in and around Indianapolis, help is on the way.
On Tuesday, that help is Chris Lowery. He’s a Hoosier Helper, a program INDOT started in order to help stranded drivers.
He also has to keep roadways open, which means clearing debris from crashes or helping disabled vehicles get to the shoulder. “A lot of people just don’t I think realize how dangerous it is out here,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons we want to get vehicle off the roadway as much as we can so they’re struck by another vehicle.”
During our ride along, we first spotted a SUV that had run off an I-65 exit ramp. Lowery checked on it to make sure nobody was inside. Since it was empty, he called into dispatch to have a tow truck remove it.
Lowery then stuck around to help navigate traffic around the tow truck as it retrieved the SUV. Helping people is his job, but Lowery takes his role to heart.
“I had a pregnant girl the other day who I felt sorry for. (Had a) flat tire, no spare, got her off the interstate and her mother was coming to pick her up,” he said. “You feel sympathy for them. You try to help people much as you can.”
He has several tools at his disposal to do just that. The obvious include jacks, fuel, ratchets to make repairs. But he also carries medical equipment like first aid kits and an AED. Hoosier Helpers are often the first people to respond to a crash scene, so they’re trained to render aid. Lowery also has a background as an EMT.
“I don’t know how many times I’ve come up on crashes that I just happen to see, get to it before anything’s called in or anyone knows about it yet,” he said.
Lowery said about four to five Hoosier Helpers patrol around Indianapolis at a given time. The winter months keep him busy, but he said drivers run into problems no matter the time of year. He said most often people get a flat tire or run out of gas.
During our ride along, we came up on a driver who needed some fuel and a battery jump.
“I was ready to walk about a mile over to Keystone and go the gas station,” said driver Brian Getz. “I’m so glad he showed up right behind me.”
“That’s what I’m here for,” said Lowery. “If I can help them a little bit, that’s the best part.”
Lowery said drivers often aren’t prepared for problems to happen. He said people need to check the tread on their tires to make sure they’re ready to handle snow. Also , he said not to trust that your fuel gauge is accurate. He said of a lot of drivers claim they’d had at least a quarter tank of gas, yet he finds them stranded on the shoulder needing gas.
And with temperatures dropping into single digits, Lowery said people need to travel with a bag that carries a blanket, extra clothes, water and some snacks in case they’re stranded.