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As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, travel across Florida’s highways is ramping up, prompting the state’s Department of Transportation to highlight the risks faced by Road Rangers when they assist stranded motorists.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Travelers navigating some of Florida’s most congested highways have access to complimentary roadside assistance known as the Road Rangers. This service has been aiding drivers for nearly a quarter of a century.
With an estimated 82 million people hitting the roads this Thanksgiving, as forecasted by AAA, the Florida Department of Transportation is emphasizing the availability of this no-cost service. At the same time, they are urging motorists to stay vigilant to ensure both their safety and that of the Road Rangers.
In Northeast Florida alone, 75 Road Rangers are actively patrolling, part of a larger network spread throughout the state. These teams, contracted by the FDOT, play a crucial role in managing traffic flow during accidents, aiding law enforcement by keeping routes clear and safe.
Beyond managing traffic incidents, Road Rangers offer help with changing flat tires, provide emergency fuel, and can even jump-start a dead battery. Their trucks are equipped with all necessary tools to assist motorists at no charge. To request their help, drivers can dial *FHP (347). Note that Road Rangers primarily operate along interstates and limited access highways like I-95, I-295, and Butler Boulevard.
As of November 2025, Road Rangers have assisted with 41,557 events on roadways. In 2024, Road Rangers assisted with 47,101 traffic events, mostly disabled vehicles.
- As of November 2025: Road Rangers assisted 29,116 disabled vehicles and assisted with 6,365 crashes.
- Road Rangers assisted with 6,989 flat tires, provided gas to 2,881 motorists, provided air on 2,851 events, provided bottled water to 1,501 motorists, and jump-started 1,084 vehicles.
- 2024: Road Rangers assisted 32,387 disabled vehicles and assisted with 7,502 crashes.
- Road Rangers assisted with 7,492 flat tires, provided gas to 3,453 motorists, provided air on 3,261 events, provided bottled water to 1,683 motorists, and jump-started 1,367 vehicles.
- 2025-Current: Most events occurred on I-95, averaging 168 events per month; I-295 W averaging 78 events per month, and I-295 E averaging 73 events per month.
- 2024: Most events occurred on I-95, averaging 170 events per month; I-295 W averaging 87 events per month, and I-295 E averaging 85 events per month.
- 2025-Current: Road Rangers assisted with 7,196 events on Fridays, 6,898 events on Thursdays, and 6,471 events on Mondays. Road Rangers assisted on 9,942 events between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., 8,235 events between noon and 3 p.m., and 7,369 events between 9 a.m. and noon.
- 2024: Road Rangers assisted with 8,135 events on Fridays, 7,890 events on Thursdays, and 7,651 events on Tuesdays. Road Rangers assisted on 11,620 events between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., 8,883 events between noon and 3 p.m., and 8,255 events between 9 a.m. and noon.
Although the Road Rangers aren’t considered first responders, they are often first on the scene of a crash and face the same dangers law enforcement does responding to traffic incidents. Some Road Ranger trucks are hit while parked on the side of the road, and some Road Rangers have even been struck while trying to assist other drivers.
“We ourselves are prone to get hit… rear-end or side collisions,” said Road Ranger Brian Caldron-Bello. “It is scary to be out there, whether we’re battling the elements or other motorists. At the end of the day, we just want to make sure everyone gets to where they need to go safely. Distraction – that’s our No. 1 enemy. When you’re distracted and not paying attention, a lot of things can happen. We have sign boards, cones, a lot of signals to let you know that it’s not safe and people still find a way to hit us.”
That’s why the Road Rangers are reminding drivers to be vigilant on the roads and to follow the ‘Move Over, Slow Down’ law.