Traffic assistance

Traffic Control Officers are responsible for “patrolling” the motorway 24 hours a day, guaranteeing traffic flow and safety on the roads. They supervise, directly intervene in and manage traffic flows in order to avoid any disturbances, allowing people and things to move freely in a safe and reliable environment. These activities are carried out in collaboration with the Traffic Police, intervening as quickly as possible in all abnormal situations, helping drivers in difficulty and putting in place all necessary warning signs in areas of danger. These officers also have the right equipment to carry out any immediate maintenance work in order to get traffic flowing again.

Safety, traffic assistance, control of the correct use of the motorway and of the drivers’ behaviour are all guaranteed by the presence of Traffic Police. In fact, these officers implement preventive measures and investigate traffic violations, detect road accidents, arrange and carry out traffic management activities and provide escorts to ensure safe traffic flows.

The Company has entered into an agreement with the (Italian) Ministry of the Interior whereby specific units of Traffic Police officers are entrusted with the tasks stated by the (Italian) Highway Code.

A fast and efficient ambulance service makes a significant contribution to the safety of those travelling on the motorway: our support services wouldn't be complete without it.

The Operations Centre alerts Healthcare Bodies should emergency medical assistance be required. In case of an emergency, there are various Bodies that intervene along our motorway, each being responsible for a specific area.

In the case of particularly serious accidents, an air ambulance service is also available.

During the busiest periods over the summer, the Company has an agreement in place with the competent authorities to strengthen the normal emergency services by positioning ambulances along the main motorway exits.

The role of the fire service is to guarantee the safety of the public. Operations Centre staff contact the fire service every time there is a technical issue that jeopardises or may jeopardise the safety of drivers or those working on the motorway.

The breakdown service is available to help anyone whose vehicle breaks down or who is involved in an accident. The Company continuously guarantees a Breakdown Service by working with two operators in the field, through a dedicated signed agreement. According to this agreement, the operators must ensure, either directly or through affiliated third party providers, that the areas falling under their responsibility are covered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The Operations Centre contacts these operators if they receive a request for help from one of the SOS stations along the motorway or from another source. The Company checks that the service is provided in accordance with the agreements in place and, in particular, that maximum response times are respected.

For responses defined as an “essential public service”, meaning those involving “a stationary vehicle due to a breakdown or accident on the carriageway, entry or exit slip road or on the hard shoulder, whose width is less than 3 m”, the response times by the two Organisations appointed by the Company are as follows:

  • for assistance requiring a “breakdown van”: 20 minutes; 
  • for assistance requiring a “breakdown truck”: 30 minutes.

For breakdown service requests that are not classed as an “essential public service”, as defined above, then the response times to be respected by the two Organisations appointed by the Company are as follows:

  • for assistance requiring a “breakdown van”:
    • 30 minutes between 06.00 and 22.00;
    • 60 minutes between 22.00 and 06.00
  • for assistance requiring a “breakdown truck”:
    • 45 minutes between 06.00 and 22.00;
    • 70 minutes between 22.00 and 06.00;

The Organisations must charge standard national rates.