Freeway Service Patrol

I’m a person that, sadly, didn’t know much about cars, so one day, on my way home from work, my car overheated, and I had to pull over. Thankfully, someone pulled over, unfortunately the only assistance they could offer me at the moment was the use of his cellphone, and he recommended that I call Freeway Patrol. So, he dialed them for me and not even 10 minutes, the guy was there. He looked over everything and saw that my engine was still good. It was also very helpful that he was very understanding and polite, and because it was blazing hot, he was quick. I want to say thanks again for such great service.

I had no idea this existed until today. I am so embarrassed to say, but I ran out of gas during rush hour traffic. Horrified at my stupidity and forgetfulness I waited for AAA to arrive (they are awesome too, but hey this is a free service?!) So the freeway service patrol showed up so fast and put gas in my car for free! Enough to get me safely to a gas station. This is like the Grace of God. underserved. I am so thankful for the kindness and everything. I was so embarrassed to inconvenience everyone. I filled out the survey with my gratitude expressed, but wish I could do something to repay them. Thank you so much!

My nightmare a couple of Thursday’s ago:
Heading to work on H1 on a weekday during traffic hour. Back tire blows out. Slowly veer into the shoulder only to find the rubber on my tire is completely gone and all that is left is my rims. (side note: I’m a typical princess whom does not know how to change the tires on my car or let alone a bicycle). I’m freaking out. I cannot be late to work!
I call my husband and quickly tell him where I am and COME NOW! I call my work tell them I’m running late –
Meanwhile (not even 2 minutes after I pulled to the side) FSP dude in shining armor pulls up on his white horse err truck and quickly starts jacking up my car. HPD stops as well and opens my trunk and starts taking my stuff out to get the spare tire out. They quickly swap out my crapped out tire for a spare and repacked my trunk all in 10 minutes of busting my tire! It all happened so quickly that I didn’t get a chance to properly thank him!
Not only did I get to work on time — but it made a situation that could have sucked sorely into a raving review of FSP weeks later! Thank you Thank YOU~!

Nothing but glowing things to say about Freeway Service Patrol. Today as I was driving home, a huge bucket flew out of a truck bed in front of me and it was too late for me to brake, especially going 60 mph. I was in the middle lane and there weren’t too many cars around me, so I was able to pull over to the side of the freeway. I could hear the bucket scraping underneath as I was driving. I called Freeway Service Patrol and they were there in around 10 minutes. The guy was really nice and was able to remove the bucket. My car was fine afterward but he made sure that it wasn’t making any more noises. Then he gave me a survey to fill out which I am going to mail back in.
Freeway Service Patrol will help change tires, jump start your car, and help get your car back on the road all for free. It is part of the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation and I think this is probably one of the best uses of our tax dollars. Thanks again, Freeway Service Patrol!

My only experience with them was not car trouble, but medical emergency in nature. I called 911 from the shoulder of H1, and tried to explain to dispatcher that I was on H1, headed town-​bound, with H2 exit to my immediate left, Kam Hwy exit on my immediate right, gave the exit numbers from the signs, said I was right before the split under LCC, saw the twin towers just up ahead. Dispatcher «didn’t know» where I was. (I’m sure all of you are picturing my exact location right now, am I right?!) Forever went by, I’m bleeding (in my mind, to death!!) no ambulance shows up, or anybody else, but in the side view mirror, I see FREEWAY SERVICE PATROL. I wave him off like, «no, not car trouble… go help somebody else», but he gets out, hands me a flyer LOL and I explain that I’m on the line with 911 trying to get an ambulance, but dispatcher can’t figure out my location. I’m still on the line with dispatcher, he calls them too, we wait, wait, wait some more, then WOOHOO… a fire truck! Now we’re getting somewhere, THEN the ambulance. FSP stayed the whole time.
FSP…TRUE HEROES, nuff said.

It was one of those days you wish would be over just as it is getting started. The problem began when I had a meeting at the Hawaii State Capitol. I needed to drive from Kailua, pick up another person in Mililani, then go downtown.
As I drove along the H1 through Aiea, I heard a noise, and my car dropped a few inches lower on the passenger side. As I realized my tire had gone flat and began moving from the center lane to the shoulder, the rubber shredded, forcing me to rapidly decelerate and pull over – thankfully no traffic was in the way. I would not be going to any meetings that day.
I clicked on my hazard lights and called my auto club. The service rep explained that the tow company would not be available for 2 – 3 hours. I sat, fuming, with vehicles racing by, shaking my car, in the blazing sun, getting hotter and hotter. As I rolled down the windows to let in some air, it started raining just hard enough that I had to close my windows again. This situation was getting worse and worse!
Just then, I glanced in my rear view mirror and noticed a white tow truck pulling in behind me. I jumped out of my car and asked, «Did the auto club send you? They said it would be at least two hours!» No, instead it was a knight in shining white armor, a member of Freeway Service Patrol (FSP)!
I didn’t know about FSP then, but I do now. FSP is an emergency roadside service provided by the Hawaii Department of Transportation. Besides helping stranded motorists, the FSP program keeps our freeways clear. This prevents traffic from backing up and causing longer commute times, especially during peak rush hours. Less time on the road also means savings on fuel costs and reduced emissions.
As the FSP driver started removing the flat tire, he discovered that the bolts on my wheel were frozen, so he had to call for backup to get another tool. After the second FSP truck arrived, he successfully removed the flat, then discovered my replacement tire was also flat. Grrrr! Eventually he reinflated and installed the replacement tire, and I was good to go… NOT!
After sitting on the highway shoulder for over an hour with my hazard lights on, my battery had died. Just before the FSP driver pulled away, I ran to his truck, screaming and waving my arms. He must have thought I was crazy and/​or insanely unlucky, but at least he helped me with a jump start. OMG.
At the end (finally!), he wished me a good day and asked me to fill out a survey rating the FSP service. FIVE STARS all the way! Thank you, FSP drivers, for being our heroes in the white trucks, making the roadways better for everyone.
If you need FSP, call 841-​HELP (4357). FSP is available from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, including some holidays. Services provided: changing flat tires, jump starts, radiator refills, temporary repairs, fuel (one gallon regular, no diesel), towing.
FSP covers about 19 miles of freeway in both directions, including a 12-​mile stretch along the H-​1 Freeway, a 5-​mile stretch along the Moanalua Freeway (H-​201 and Route 78), and 2 miles of the H-​2 Freeway from the H-​1/​H-​2 interchange to Ka Uka Boulevard. The FSP driver told me that if help is needed outside this service area/​hours, call the Highway Patrol via 911. Go FSP!
Unilocal 365 Challenge #006/​365