If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of a vehicle breakdown on Houston's freeways, worry not—it's services like the Harris County Motorist Assistance Program (MAP) that are the unsung heroes of the roadway. Officially in operation from Monday through Friday, around the clock, this free program patrols to assist drivers facing typical car troubles such as flat tires, drained batteries, and episodes of engines overheating. The service is a safety net aimed at reducing the stress and hazards associated with such incidents on busy highways.
MAP is not just about getting you back on the road—it's designed to quickly and safely remove stranded vehicles from the roadways and to prevent potentially more dangerous situations. Funded by the Federal Highway Administration along with contributions from the Texas Department of Transportation and the Houston-Galveston Area Council, the program deploys 15 Harris County Sheriff’s Deputies to tirelessly monitor and assist on area freeways. Their portfolio of roadside remedies includes changing a flat tire, supplying fuel to up-exhausted gas tanks, providing jumper cables for dead batteries, and even minor engine repairs. They're equipped to also quickly remove stalled vehicles off the freeway, and offer courtesy transport to a secure location for those stranded without wheels.
Behind the scenes, MAP works in conjunction with Houston's Tow and Go program, which moves disabled vehicles to a nearby safe location at no cost. As per a statement released by the Texas Department of Transportation, these collaborations are meant to clear freeways of minor accidents and stalls, making the roads safer for everyone. "Our MAP units are everyday heroes,” said Lt. Terry Garza of the Harris County Sheriff’s Roadway Management Section and MAP Section Commander. Further reports show that last year alone, MAP conducted 28,660 assists on Houston area freeways.
In case you are in need of these roadside services in Houston, drivers can reach MAP by simply calling 713-CALL-MAP (713-225-5627). However, it's not just Houston that benefits from such roadside assistance. Mapping out to other parts of the state, such as Austin, El Paso, Midland, and San Antonio, TxDOT has launched the Highway Emergency Response Operator (HERO) program. This program mirrors MAP by providing free roadside assistance, which includes changing tires, fueling vehicles, and crash scene assistance, among other services, in a bid to steadily improve roadway safety across Texas highways. For those interested, more information about HERO can be found at the Texas Department of Transportation's website.
