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Published on Friday, March 26, 2004
in the NBC News Online

FHP promises quick accident cleanup for I-75

COLLIER COUNTY, March 26, 2004--The Florida Highway Patrol made a new promise to have accidents cleaned up and out of the way in 90 minutes or less from I-75. They plan to build med flight landing pads on the median and put an end to rubbernecking. The push is to make everyone's commute quicker.

The FHP outlined the plan in a contract with the Department of Transportation.

The plan includes new landing pads for med flights.

"Strategically placed landing zones in the median," said Sergeant Daniel Taylor of the Florida Highway Patrol.

Currently when there's a crash, the helicopter lands on the interstate.

"The helicopter is out of traffic we don't have to worry about them. It can facilitate the opening of the interstate," said Taylor.

They plan to put an end to rubber-necking by moving cars in accidents off the road, even to the next exit to put them out of sight.

They plan to do it without compromising accident investigations.

New technology makes it easier for troopers to get the answers they need quicker.

There are exceptions to the 90 minute promise. Some of the more major accidents like tanker spills or accidents that cause road damage will take much longer to clean up.

It's the smaller, 2 to 3 car accidents under this time deadline the ones that make up the majority of crashes on I-75.