Coincidence or not, as the busiest holiday travel weekend of the year approaches, the West Virginia Courtesy Patrol is asking the Manchin administration and the Legislature to restore to 24/7 the roadside assistance it provides to motorists traveling in the state.
In 2005, lawmakers eliminated the patrol’s day shift, citing high fuel costs and other needs at the Division of Highways. It went to a 16-hour-a-day operation, from 3 p.m. to 7 a.m., after its annual budget was cut by nearly $1 million.
The patrol, a public-private partnership, is operated by the Citizens Conservation Corps of West Virginia along eight interstate highways and five Appalachian corridors in 30 counties and draws support from DOH, the Division of Tourism and the Department of Health and Human Resources.
The program draws its workers from a pool of former welfare recipients, helping them make the transition to regular employment.
There’s no questioning the Courtesy Patrol’s value. Since 1998, it has assisted 230,396 motorists and logged nearly 57 million miles. It has also provided jobs to nearly 2,000 people receiving public assistance.
It short, the patrol has provided a sense of security for motorists who suddenly find themselves stranded on the side of the highway with vehicle problems they can’t fix.
“Many know us as the friendly fleet of roving white trucks enhancing safety and rendering aid to disabled motorists,” Courtesy Patrol Director Jennifer J. Douglas said. “But for many, the West Virginia Courtesy Patrol represents a new lease on life, and we need to do everything to ensure these opportunities remain available to those in need.”
We would be all for restoring the Courtesy Patrol to 24/7 service — if this were any other time.
But it’s not.
The state is already looking at a projected revenue shortfall of $100 million by the end of the current fiscal year.
The State Road Fund finds itself nearly $11 million below the projected take in the privilege tax imposed on the sales of new vehicles
With such grim numbers, it’s simply hard, if not impossible, to justify additional funding for any program, however valuable it may be.
When the economy improves, and we’re confident it will, then maybe extra money can be found for the Courtesy Patrol.
Meanwhile, we encourage all travelers to be mindful that the highways will be busy now through Sunday.
Be safe. Be smart. Be patient.
