
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, July 22, 1994                   TAG: 9408120025
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B4   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

POLICE RECRUIT CAR PHONE USERS

The Virginia State Police are tapping into a growing network of car telephone users with a new toll-free hot line for reporting wrecks and road hazards and for tattling on other drivers.

Drivers on Interstate 495, the Capital Beltway around Washington, and Interstates 95 and 66 in Northern Virginia now can hit the pound sign and ``77'' on their cellular phones, then press ``send,'' and they will reach a police dispatcher 24 hours a day. The service on Interstates 95 and 66 extends through Prince William County.

The code is the same one that Maryland drivers already use. Maryland police receive an average of 1,000 calls a month. Virginia State Police say they expect at least that many on their line.

``Anything that might be impeding travel'' can be reported, such as disabled vehicles and intoxicated drivers, state police spokeswoman Lucy Caldwell said.

For emergencies, drivers still may call 911.

Calls from cellular telephones previously were delayed because they were transferred from local law enforcement agencies to state police.

``The program will be instrumental in helping troopers respond more quickly,'' said Capt. Don Garrett, state police commander for Northern Virginia.

The program is an effort among the state police, the cellular phone companies Bell Atlantic of Virginia and Cellular One, and the Virginia Department of Transportation.

``We see [the telephone number] as a way of adding thousands of eyes to the road to assist police,'' said Cellular One sales director Pat Bennett.

Industry analysts said Bell Atlantic has about 235,000 customers and Cellular One about 252,000 in the Washington area.

Calls do not necessarily result in arrests. In drunken-driving cases, for example, troopers must do their own surveillance to establish probable cause for pulling a driver over.

The new system is advertised on blue-and-white road signs that went up last week.

Caldwell said only calls to report incidents on the three interstate highways will be accepted. People who call in problems on other roads will be switched to local law enforcement officials.

State police said they also will not accept calls from drivers asking for directions or making general complaints.

by CNB