Freeway Service Patrol is a Terific Program. (Fontana Herald 050506).

The Freeway Service Patrol is a great Idea. There are many things that they can do to keep traffic moving smoothly, however when there is an accident where someone gets hurt, then the whole shooting match is done. Maybe the freeway is just not wide enough like the area surrounding the North/Bound & South/Bound Lanes of I-215 between the I-10 and the brand new I-210 that they are building. When that I-210 is done then there is going to be so much congestion through there in the Mornings and afternoons that I don't care how many Freeway Service Patrol's you have they will not make a difference until the I-215 is widened in that area! It is one thing they have been putting off for years Obviously because look at how congested the I-215 gets now. But I forgot this story is not about the I-215 or the Brand New I-210 that they are going to open sometime in 1997 or beyond?

They are talking about the I-10 and the I-15. Oh, how much faster the I-15 will be going in the afternoons N/B towards Vegas on a Friday afternoon and all that free driving this report is saying that you can thank the Freeway Service Patrol fro the great service.

Just like the Metered On Ramps to a Freeway and how they help you get on that Freeway and keeps it running oh! So smooth!!

They need to get rid of the car pool lane, the Metered On Ramps, However Keep the Freeway Service Patrol that is a good Idea for a change!

Buck
BSRancher

Freeway Service Patrol is a terrific program

By FONTANA HERALD NEWS

Traffic often slows to a halt during rush hour on Interstates 10 and 15 near Fontana, but at least motorists who are stranded can now get their vehicles off the road in a hurry because of a highly effective new program.

San Bernardino County's Freeway Service Patrol, which started Jan. 3, has provided free help to 3,910 stranded drivers in the month of January and February, according to Tony Grasso, executive director of San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG).

Administered by SANBAG, the California Highway Patrol and Caltrans, the program operates using a small fleet of two trucks that travel on 26 miles of I-10 between Montclair and San Bernardino and on eight miles of I-15 between Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga.

Designed for the heaviest commute times, the Freeway Service Patrol is in place Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tow truck drivers stay on the lookout for stranded motorists and come to the rescue with offers for free service. The drivers wear uniforms and are in trucks clearly marked with the FSP logo. Drivers cannot accept payment or tips for their help.

During the first two months, the FSP drivers fixed 561 flat tires and also aided with 591 mechanical breakdowns, 264 empty gas tanks, 224 accidents, 186 electrical problems, 185 overheated engines and more. A total of 486 vehicles were towed from the freeway for more heavy-duty repairs.

"After fighting for years to get an FSP program in place in San Bernardino County, it's exciting and gratifying to note how many people are actually benefiting from these roving tow trucks," said Grasso.

FSP programs are more than a convenience to motorists with broken-down vehicles. They help ensure the safety of stranded drivers by getting them on their way quickly.

"The FSP also relieves traffic congestion from blocked lanes and from 'lookie-loo' drivers who slow down to watch," Grasso added. "In addition, the service improves air quality by reducing stop-and-go traffic that results from vehicle breakdowns."

The program is being funded by state money and by funds from Measure I, the half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements in S.B. County. This is certainly a prime example of excellent usage of state and local funds, and let's hope that additional funding can be secured in the future so that this service can be expanded to the 210 Freeway as well