RIDE ALONG: See your Florida toll dollars used as Road Rangers clear crazy debris
You’ve probably seen it while driving on Central Florida’s expressways: a blown-out tire, a piece of furniture or some other unexpected obstacle sitting in the middle of the road.
But who gets it out of the way — and how much of your toll money goes toward keeping those roadways clear?
News 6’s Lauren Melendez rode along with Road Rangers to get a behind-the-scenes look at the work they do to keep drivers safe.
“Safety is our number one priority,” Shiva Lalchan tells News 6 a he operates one of the heavy duty patrol units, equipped with specialized tools called LaneBlades.
They’re a cross between a snowplow and a forklift, allowing Road Rangers to quickly scoop debris out of travel lanes, reducing the need for workers to enter dangerous traffic and helping keep vehicles moving.
From mattresses to canoes: What Road Rangers find on the road
Road Rangers encounter all kinds of debris during their shifts.
“We’ve seen water heaters, fridges, mattresses,” Lalchan added.
And ironically, minutes after running down the list of hazards found on the expressways, during News 6’s ride-along, the crew even spotted a canoe sitting in the roadway — a reminder of how quickly unexpected and dangerous debris can appear.
It’s why their training emphasizes defensive driving and constantly watching the roadway for potential hazards, learning to scan miles up the road to anticipate random objects that may appear.
“Your eyes are looking back and forth between the lanes to see any foreign material,” the ranger explained.
Where your toll dollars go
CFX operates eight expressways spanning approximately 125 miles in Central Florida. The system is funded through toll revenue rather than tax dollars, bringing in roughly $1 million a day.
Part of that revenue supports roadway safety operations, including the Road Rangers, who help remove nearly 2,200 pounds of debris from the roads each day.
Their work also involves coordination with traffic operators in a control room who monitor the expressway network.
Those operators can close lanes and post alerts on electronic signs to warn drivers about hazards and help Road Rangers safely respond.
What should drivers do when they see debris?
Road Rangers say drivers should never try to remove debris themselves.
Stopping in the roadway or attempting to retrieve an object can put drivers and other motorists in danger. Unexpected movements can also startle other drivers and potentially cause a chain-reaction crash.
Instead, drivers should report roadway debris by calling: *FHP.
And if you see a Road Ranger or another emergency or roadside service vehicle stopped along the road, remember to move over.
Florida’s Move Over law requires drivers to move over when possible or slow down when approaching qualifying stopped vehicles.
Road Rangers say the goal is simple: clear the hazards, protect drivers and keep Central Florida moving.