Motorists who break down in New Jersey might have to pay for help. The state was considering replacing its free roadside assistance program with a private company that would charge to change a tire or charge a battery.
The Emergency Service Patrol has been in existence since 1994. Its team of 90 drivers operate Monday through Friday from 4 a.m. through 8:30 p.m.
The service was created to keep lanes clear and reduce congestion.
Transportation Commissioner Jim Simpson said privatizing the service could free up as much as $12 million that the state gets annually from the federal government to run the program.
Simpson said the DOT will do a cost-benefit analysis of the program.
The NJDOT introduced Emergency Service Patrol tow trucks on November 20, 2006.
{CBS/Matzav.com Newscenter}