New Statewide Hotline System goes live

Arkansas officials announced a new statewide hotline system for travelers to use to report non-emergency situations on the state’s highways.

Drivers can call *277 to be immediately directed to the nearest Arkansas State Police headquarters. There are 12 such headquarters dispersed across the state.

The new program debuted on Tuesday and seeks in part to curb the growing incidents of reckless driving in Arkansas.

Col. Bill Bryant, director of the Arkansas State Police, stressed that the new hotline is not a substitute for the 911 system. Arkansans should continue to call 911 to report an emergency situation. However, Arkansans can now call *277 to quickly get in contact with state troopers to report non-emergency incidents, such as a broken down vehicle, reckless driving or lost driver.

State officials said the new hotline was made possible through a partnership with private cellphone carriers operating in Arkansas. Arkansas officials are also rolling out the new program by placing 200 signs along highways in every part of the state.