HONOLULU — The Hawaii Department of Transportation marks a first by announcing GEICO as the new sponsor for its Freeway Service Patrol program. The sponsorship will help the 10-vehicle fleet to continue providing an important free service to Oahu commuters and do so with a new look.

The FSP patrols about 33 miles of freeways extending from Kunia Road to Ka Uka Boulevard and all the way to the east end of the H-1 Freeway. It focuses on high-traffic areas with the greatest potential for stalls and accidents that could negatively impact traffic.

“The Hawaii Department of Transportation is excited about its partnership with GEICO,” said Director of the Hawaii Department of Transportation Ed Sniffen in a news release. “This sponsorship will provide a new funding source for the DOT’s most successful program. The invaluable services FSP provides will continue to be free and available to all motorists.”

Roving FSP operators monitor freeways, clearing an average of 9,000 accidents each year. They assist stranded motorists, remove debris from the freeway and respond to calls for incident management. They assist motorists in trouble, getting them off the freeway and effectively minimize obstacles to daily traffic.

Once the disabled vehicle is removed from the freeway, motorists can call a private tow service, insurance company or other assistance.

The FSP is often the first to respond to a freeway incident, so operators are trained in first-aid, CPR, fire extinguisher use and recognizing hazardous materials.

They can also provide services such as changing flat tires, jumpstarting cars, refilling radiators, making minor temporary repairs, providing small amounts of fuel (except for diesel), and towing vehicles to the freeway shoulder or an authorized drop area.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the FSP and other Safety Service Patrols are “one of the most effective Traffic Incident Management components.”

GEICO’s manager of the Honolulu office, Tim Dayton, said, “We’re committed to doing our part to help keep our roads safe for everyone, locals and visitors alike. The Freeway Service Patrol shares our values of helping drivers when they need us most, and we know this partnership will go a long way to provide assistance when something unforeseen happens on the road.”

FSP works collaboratively with the City and County of Honolulu’s police, fire, Emergency Medical Services, and the Department of Transportation Services.

Regardless of your vehicle’s insurance provider, motorists experiencing problems on the freeway can call 808-841-4367 from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday except for holidays.

Additional information is available on the FSP and GEICO’s Safety Patrol Program websites.

Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.