Free Towing service in Bay Area ~ !!

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TurtleMan

Golden Member
May 3, 2000
1,424
0
76
If you drive in the Bay Area, you should read this
incredible service:

My car had a flat tire a week ago on the highway. I
was lucky that a CHP officer stopped by within seconds.
He told me he will call for a "free service" to change
my tire or tow my car. I didn't quite understand it at
the time (how can anything be free in this world?),
but 10 minutes later, a tow truck showed up, changed the
tire for me, and the guy would not even accept tip.
Turns out this is a service paid for by the Bay Area
Transportation Commission, Caltrans and CHP. For
every tax dollar spent on this service, the public
supposedly realizes 3.4 times that amount in benefits (in fuel
and time saved).

Nex time, your car breaks down in the Bay Area,
just call 707-551-4100. Make sure you give this number to
your spouse. For more details, see:

http://www.mtc.ca.gov/projects/fsp/fspfacts.htm
 

Wow! Thanks for the information. We've been paying for AAA towing service. Now I know where to call. I'll be sure to pass on the information to friends and family.

Thanks again, Turtleman. :)

"Does Bay Area include LA and OC area."

No, the Bay Area does not include LA and OC. The Bay Area includes areas such as Santa Clara County, San Francisco County, Castro Valley, Fremont, Hayward, Union City, etc.
 
B

Bullhonkie

Golden Member
Sep 28, 2001
1,899
0
76
I've lived in the SF bay area pretty much all of my life and I didn't have any idea this was around. Thanks for the heads up!
 
V

Vinster

Member
Jun 13, 2000
68
0
0
This is called the Freeway Service Patrol. They only cover the freeways so if you have a problem on a surface street, you're out of luck.

http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/fsp.html

The FSP serves the following areas:
Valley Division - the Sacramento Metro Area, and the Tracy Area
Golden Gate Division - the San Francisco Bay Area
Central Division - the Fresno Area
Southern Division - the Los Angeles Basin
Inland Division - the Riverside Area
Border Division - the San Diego Area, and the Orange County Area
Coastal Division - the Monterey Area, and the Santa Cruz Area

If you get stuck on the freeway because your automobile stops running, FSP can help. For example, FSP will:
- Offer you a gallon of gas, if you run out.
- "Jump start" your car if the battery is dead.
- Refill your radiator and tape hoses.
- Even change a flat tire.

Note: The FSP program...
- Cannot tow your vehicle to a private repair service or residence.
- Does not recommend tow service companies, repair or body shops.
- Does not tow motorcycles.
- Does not assist vehicles which have been involved in accidents, unless directed by CHP.
- Does report any accident to the CHP.

If FSP cannot get your car going, it will be towed free of charge to a location approved by the CHP. FSP will also contact additional assistance for you. The CHP will notify an auto club or towing service.
 
S

slycat

Diamond Member
Jul 18, 2001
5,656
0
0
Originally posted by: Kaieye
SF???

Only if your on 101/280/80 but not surface streets...
Click to expand...

oh...ok...so like my ride dies 10blocks from my apt...i'm on my own.
 
W

wjones

Platinum Member
Feb 17, 2000
2,396
0
0
Originally posted by: deejayshakur
Originally posted by: slycat
Originally posted by: Kaieye
SF???

Only if your on 101/280/80 but not surface streets...
Click to expand...

oh...ok...so like my ride dies 10blocks from my apt...i'm on my own.
Click to expand...

yea dawg, like fo real.
Click to expand...

You still can call them, just push your car to a hwy 101/280/80 exit then give them a call ;)
 
J

Jugernot

Diamond Member
Oct 12, 1999
6,889
0
0
Wuss.... change your own damned tire!

(This comes from a guy who uses AAA to recharge my battery when he runs it down.... :) )
 
V

VTECDC2

Member
Oct 2, 2002
44
0
0
dont u guys ever see those smaller white tow trucks around the bay during rush hour? they are everywhere.. those are the ones that help u out.
 
D

Dedicated

Member
Apr 3, 2002
40
0
0
Couple tips sent out by a friend of mine, in regard to FSP:

Everyone should understand that the Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) is
*NOT* the same thing as AAA. FSP will take you off the freeway if your
car breaks down, but they will not tow your vehicle to your mechanic. As
stated, the purpose of FSP is to facilitate the flow of traffic, by
clearing disabled vehicles from traffic and distractions from the
roadside. So they'll change a tire, give you a few gallons of fuel, or
water for your radiator. But don't expect much more.

The phone number given is a direct dial emergency number for the
California Highway Patrol "Golden Gate" Communications Center. You may
also reach them by dialing 9-1-1 on your mobile phone.

After spending better than the last decade in and around public safety,
I feel that a few more words are in order. To begin with, "mobile
9-1-1-" works a little different than 9-1-1 on your home or office
telephone. The first and most important different is that the person
answering the phone does not know your location when you call mobile
9-1-1. Technology is being developed but is not yet deployed to address
this deficit. It is vitally important to REMAIN AWARE OF YOUR LOCATION
(freeway, direction of travel, and the nearest offramp) in the event of
an emergency.

The second thing to remember about mobile 9-1-1 is that IT IS OKAY TO
CALL. We've been conditioned to avoid calling 9-1-1 unless things are
really going downhill. But mobile 9-1-1 exists to connect motorists to
the authorities. If you see something suspicious or simply a disabled
vehicle, it is okay to call mobile 9-1-1 to report it. If you see an
accident, by all means use 9-1-1 to report it. Those who respond to
calls for help would rather be called and not needed than needed and not
called.

When you call mobile 9-1-1, you'll most likely be connected to a CHP
operator who will answer with words to the effect of: "9-1-1, what are
you reporting?" If you are reporting an incident on a city street rather
than a freeway, say so NOW, for example, "an accident in Sunnyvale at
Evelyn and Mary." You will either be connected to the local police or
fire department, or the CHP will take and relay the information.

If the incident is on the freeway, your response should be a brief
summary including the location, as in, "an accident on the northbound
280 at Lawrence Expressway." This will allow the call-taker to quickly
discern whether or not they already know about the incident. If they do,
you'll likely be told "we're on our way." If not, he or she will ask a
few questions and thank you for calling.

Finally, REMAIN CALM and DO NOT HANG UP until the operator does. You
will likely be asked for your name and mobile telephone number in the
event that the CHP needs to call you back for more information. Your
cooperation will go a long way towards bringing the help you are
requesting.
 
D

dirtrat

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,092
0
71
most insurance gives you free towing.
Click to expand...

Of course IF you pay the EXTRA fee to them for this service. One way or another you are paying for it. Insurance compnaies are not known for giving you something for nothing!

 
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BlueIce

Senior member
Jan 13, 2000
625
0
0
This is weird. It says that they if they can't fix your car, they will tow it, but it also says that they will not tow to a auto club or body shop. So where the hell do they tow you to? Just a few blocks off the freeway and you are on your own?
 
K

kp1126

Senior member
Feb 16, 2001
360
0
0
Originally posted by: BlueIce
This is weird. It says that they if they can't fix your car, they will tow it, but it also says that they will not tow to a auto club or body shop. So where the hell do they tow you to? Just a few blocks off the freeway and you are on your own?
Click to expand...

YUP

Either way, I'd rather wait for a tow truck on a city street than on a freeway.
 
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