"This year, the HELP operators have filled up more than 4,000 vehicles, which is more than what the HELP team responded to this time last year."

Well, here's a way to get a quick five gallons of gas, I guess. Run your car out of fuel on the local freeways. Just be sure to do it in someone else's lane, okay? You know, what's most amazing to me is the number of stories available in the mainstream media about the difficulties facing average Americans as they try to make it through one of the toughest times I've ever seen for our country. Lot's of finger-pointing goin on, too, from opposite sides of the political aisle. My wife and I were following behind a car today that had a "W 04" bumper sticker on it, and it was apparent that someone had tried to scratch it off. We followed them into a gas station and pulled up right behind them at the pump. While we were refueling our vehicles, I mentioned to the driver of that car that someone had vandalized his bumper sticker and asked if he still supported George Bush. He said he'd been the one who had tried to remove the sticker, that he was ashamed he'd ever voted for Bush, and wondered how it was that there were any Republicans left that dared to show their faces in public. I asked him why he'd say that and he said, "we got what we wanted and then we ran the whole goddam country into the toilet." Hmmmm. Couldn't have said it better myself, although I would add that Dems are far from innocent in the current mess we're all in. I asked him who he was voting for and he didn't miss a beat; "Obama." Now I'm not endorsing Obama here, just telling you what the man said. What struck me about this is the fact that the man was probably in his mid 50s, whiter than a piece of chalk and obviously a Bush supporter as late as 2004. My, how a little taste of poverty can reshape one's perceptions..... TDOT: Number Of Motorists In Need Of Gas Is Increasing

Posted: May 9, 2008 04:32 PM

Featured Videos TDOT: Number Of Motorists In Need Of Gas Is Increasing

Tennessee Department of Transportation

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Department of Transportation is experiencing an increase in the number of incidents that could cause congestion such as stalled vehicles and motorists who need fuel.

TDOT's Harold Herod said he spends a lot of time patrolling interstates to assist motorists.

"We patrol the interstate starting as early as 5 o'clock in the morning," he said.

He said the work is nonstop and he and colleagues remain busy every day.

"Our main job is to keep the interstate system up and moving and keep people safe," he said.

He works out of bright green trucks that are part of highway incident management.

The trucks respond to wrecks, debris in the roadway, disabled vehicles and other incidents.

Lately, however, the trucks have been converted to so-called rolling gas stations.

"I've given more gas out today than I have any day this week," Herod said after asking a motorist if he's out of gasoline.

This year, the HELP operators have filled up more than 4,000 vehicles, which is more than what the HELP team responded to this time last year.

Rising fuel prices may be a factor, but they could also be an excuse.

"We hear a lot of people say they're on their way to their job. Today's the day that they get paid. They'll get their check and then they were going to get gas and they just didn't make it," Herod said.

As summer approaches and fuel prices unlikely to drop drastically, Herod said he expects to see more people in need of roadside fuel-ups.

HELP operators carry about five gallons of gas on each truck. Many operators have to refill before their shift ends.

Drivers helped by operators do not have to repay TDOT for the fuel. Administrators said it comes out of the department's yearly budget.