3.19.16
I was heading inland from the coast during heavy traffic conditions. Was moving between cars (splitting traffic) between the diamond lane and fast lane, when my motorcycle lost power. No way for me to move off the roadway, there I was stranded between lanes, and blocking the way of other motorcyclists who were also moving through traffic. Not a good situation, and bound to make a bad impact on traffic flow.
I looked across the lanes, packed with motorists, and there, backing up on the shoulder, was a tow truck. FREEWAY SERVICE PATROL. He had pulled off when he noticed me when I back-fired and lost power. With his truck lights and a loud audio signal, he stopped traffic so I could push my motorcycle across the 4 lanes of freeway. This all occurred in under 2 minutes of my coming to a stop. The effect on traffic flow was hardly noticeable; anyone delayed was by 15 seconds, the driver had me out of harms way. He then gave me a gallon of fuel, and made sure I gat running again. He warned me to be extremely cautious and to allow him to move his truck out from ahead of me, so I could gain speed before moving into traffic flow. Through it all, he was a calming force, always with the easy smile, and an "I am here to help you, whatever it takes." As we parted, I thanked him, and tried to pay for the fuel, and give him a gratuity, and was graciously, politely refused. Very very good person you have in this man. Kind, courteous, efficient, professional, and ethical. He was so easy and matter of fact. I told him he may very well have saved my very life, getting me clear of traffic like that. He laughed it off as a "stuff happens" event, no big thing, glad I could help. WELL, TO ME IT WAS A HUGE THING! He just shook my offered hand, got into his truck, waved (*with a smile), and was gone.
Literally, he is a life saver. I cannot even imagine the traffic nightmares avoided because he is out there, solving traffic trouble before they becomes tragic statistics.
Paul M.
3.18.16
It was about 1:30 and I was on my way to a doctor's appointment, I am out in Costa Mesa when I felt my tire start to loose pressure on the southbound 55. By the time I had pulled over, it was 1:40 and I was calling Triple-A. They said that the next available tow truck couldn't get to me until 2:30. It was about 5 minutes after I hung up with Triple-A that I saw an FSP driver pulling over. At first I thought it was Triple A and was preparing to give him my information. To my surprise he wasn't and told me all about the free program for roadside assistance he was a part of. The FSP driver changed my flat tire and got me back on the road before triple-A even showed up - talk about efficiency. The FSP driver really gave my roadside experience a positive boost. He was very knowledgeable and gave me information about 511 and other OCTA programs. He went above and beyond to make sure I was taken cared of and I tip my cap to him.
Brady B.
3.12.16
I was driving home from work during traffic on Friday. My battery light randomly came on and my windows became hard to close. So I got in the right lane. Then suddenly my gauges stopped working and my engine started to die. I coasted over to side of the freeway. I called a friend to come help me but it was going to take 20 minutes to find me because of the traffic. About 5 minutes later an FSP driver pulls up and helps me out. He explained very clearly that for free he would tow me off the freeway safely and help jump start my car. He was very polite and courteous. I think the reason he gets this compliment is that he spent the few minutes to explain the process and how he could help. So after we got of the freeway he jumped my car and it got me far enough to park at Autozone. I put a new battery in and made it home. The FSP driver was very good at helping me out. I really appreciate his service and the hard work he did. Please tell him thanks!
Leticia G.