It's a typical day on one of our interstates in the Tampa Bay area.  Let's say you need to get from Wesley Chapel to a performance at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center using Interstates 75 and 275.  Just as you transition from Interstate 75 to Interstate 275 at the County Line Road underpass - OUCH! - you just had a flat tire and you pull off to the shoulder.  Let's say you don't have a cell phone and you see one of these call boxes ahead to your relief and you pull up to one of these call boxes.  Using these motorist aid call boxes is easier than you think - read on.

Motorist Aid Call Box Use Instructions

These demonstration photos were taken at a motorist aid call box demonstration unit at the Okahumpka Service Plaza on the Florida Turnpike.  Simply follow the illustrations below.

This is what the typical call box will look like when you stand in front of it.

Pull the handle downward towards you.

While holding down the door, press the button you need:  Black for service, blue for police and/or red for medical help.  To cancel a call press the yellow Cancel button.  A light and tone as shown on the right side of the call box lets you know that your message was received and help is on the way.  Release the door and allow it to close.

Where will I find these motorist aid call boxes?

Interstate 275:  From the southern terminus at Interstate 75 (Exit 228) to just before US 19 southbound (Exit 5) and from just north of Bearss Avenue (Exit 53) to the northern terminus at Interstate 75 (Exit 274).

Interstate 75:  Entire length of route through the Tampa Bay area and throughout Florida beginning at the eastern terminus of the Alligator Alley just west of US 27.

Sunshine Skyway Bridge:  Entire length of the main cable-stayed span.  NOTE:  Call boxes on the Sunshine Skyway use a different setup than shown above by picking up a handset and communicating to an operator.  Call boxes on the high level portion of the Sunshine Skyway are dual purpose call boxes, one for motorist aid and the other for crisis intervention.

What if I am on Interstate 275 in St. Petersburg or Tampa and there are no call boxes near me?

In case of vehicle breakdown or accident, unless your vehicle is inoperative please move your vehicle to the shoulder of the highway.  If you have a cell phone use it to dial the Florida Highway Patrol at *347 (that's *FHP); advise the operator that you need assistance and give them your location.  Whether you have a cell phone or not the Florida DOT operates a road ranger program where trained wrecker personnel roam the Tampa Bay area's interstate highways including Interstate 275.

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