SANDAG 511- Freeway Service Patrol Program

I ran out of gas a couple of weeks ago and my freeway rescue guy charged me for gas and I threw in a gratuity. I don’t mind so much, but it appears to be a free service and if so, then the guy was not honest with me and apparently ripped me off for a ten spot.

Will Boyiteller was my roadside guardian angel today. I ran out of gas on the 805 and within seconds he pulled up behind me and helped out. Thanks you Will for fixing what could have been a bad morning :)

Never knew this service existed.
Basically, got a flat while driving to work in the early hours of the morning on the 54 West. was going to do the tire change quickly, but along comes a tow truck. I immediately thought «great, how much is this going to cost me?» but he walked up politely, and said this is a free service, and immediately went to work in changing my tire. Unfortunately, my spare was flat. Well, he had jumper/​inflator box and attempted to inflate it. I then got my wheel lock to hand to him. It just wasn’t inflating fast enough. He then called another truck that had an air hose to inflate my spare in less than 2 minutes. He was just explaining to me while he was switching my flat to my spare that SANDAG has FSP (Freeway Service Patrol), a free service for San Diego County Freeways. They offer towing to the next exit if your stuck on the freeway and waiting for your tow-​truck for safety reasons, and roadside assistance. Then a few minutes later, viola! My spare is on and I’m back on the road. It was a very pleasant surprise to find out about this.
Safe to say I didn’t make it to work (ended up going to a tire shop to get all my tires replaced, and found more problems that needed to be fixed), but now I see at least some of my tax dollars at work… especially when I didn’t expect it!
Just be aware (from some of the other reviews I’ve read) they’re not always available 24/​7, but they are there. 511 is the number… easy enough to remember.

I had a flat tire in the pouring rain on 78E right by the 15 South exit around 1230pm today. The guy who stopped to help me (I’m SO sorry! I did not get your name!) was very nice, calm and efficient! He changed my tire and with 10 minutes was on my way to get new tires! Thank you for your quick and awesome service!!! I truly appreciate you stopping and helping me!!!

Great service afforded by Sandag for motorists in San Diego county.
If you ever are in car trouble call 511 from your cell for free relief.
I had a full load of super seniors in a car and happen to blow a tire at the same time in the passing lane. I called the club and in 10 minutes a tow truck was on the other side of the freeway divider assisting me. I said, that was fast! He introduced himself that he’s from the county. Oh, no wonder it was fast– it was not the club. He happened to get on the freeway and saw us so he came to help. Well I canceled the club since the Sandag tow truck was there.
How it works– these tow trucks drive the freeways to assist disabled vehicles for free. He helped change the tires. The best part he didn’t take any $ tip. I offered him water & gum instead. Good thing he took it. This is his job but providing us information for the future has no $ equivalent. Keep the blue boxes for those who can’t afford towing and don’t have cell phones.

This is a great company. I drive a ’74 Volkswagen Beetle and was having some trouble with my speedometer cable. I disconnected it causing my gas gauge to disconnect and ran out of gas. I was just some dumb kid sitting by the side of the highway waiting for a buddy to come get me when a tow truck driver pulled up. He gave me a gallon of gas FOR FREE (because I didn’t have any cash at all) at his own expense and then waited for me to get my car running before he drove off. 5 stars for helping out a guy who wasn’t even a customer of SANDAG

I kept circling the recording only to find out they could not assist me they only help you during rush hour which ends at 6:30! I unfortunately didn’t get through until 6:39

This is a story about a car that ran out of gas. Let’s say that, in the days and weeks leading up to this event, the driver was too busy thinking about brilliant and world-​changing ideas to check the gas gauge. Luckily for the unlucky driver, she had triple A. But, unfortunately, she was acutely aware that, having already experienced some flat tires and what-​have-​you involving uncooperative engine parts during the previous membership year, she was about to use up her AAA favors. Well, that probably wasn’t the case, but she got anxious about the possibility of using up all her AAA service calls. But she called anyway. Because, you know, she was stranded on side of I-​8 east.
Within a minute, I kid you not, the Freeway Service Patrol Program truck showed up. Our fearless (fearful, really) protagonist blinked, and blinked again. Was it a mirage? No, no it was not. The driver, maybe some badass tattoos were on his arms, got out and informed the driver of the disabled vehicle that he would give her gas for free. Whaaaat? Triple A was going to shake me, I mean her, down for like $ 10.
The driver called AAA and called off their impending date. Their maps suck anyway. I mean, do they deliberately recruit mapmaking school dropouts?
Long story short, with cars whizzing by at thousands of miles per hour, the macho Freeway Service Patrol guy got one of those little gas cans and loaded up the gas tank.
These guys are heroes… I think they should get their own booth at Comic-​Con.

What an awesome free service! I’ll never forget 511!
Driving to work on the 5 Fwy, I ran over something in the road which resulted in flat tire — my first! Before I could even complete my call to AAA, a SANDAG truck pulls up and the driver offers to change my tire. I had to ask him to repeat, because I would only let my window down no more than a crack, LOL! I couldn’t believe that such angels exist!
Turns out I see these trucks a lot now, and they lie in wait simply to aid drivers in distress.
Just dial 511 if you should get a flat tire or run out of gas. And they refuse to accept any sort of gratuity! WOW!

I had to call 511 4 times to get a person on the phone.
The first time I called, I got an answering machine. I left my phone number and a message but never heard back.
The next two times, I was on endless hold.
Finally, I called at about 5 PM and finally got through to a person.
If you need to call, I suggest calling at 5 PM.

Let me just start by saying… I’m really into public transportation, but not on a Friday when I’m headed home, and a message comes up on the trolley scroll that says there will be delays. Ugh. really?! Anyways, in comes 511, and a ridiculously nice woman comes on to tell me how I can get home faster and bypass the wait at the trolley stop. Super nice, way helpful — and seemed pleased that I was pleased by her service.

Let me start by admitting my bias since I occasionally work with these guys. However, it’s important to get the word out and also recognize the awesome job they do.
SANDAG in association with the CHP provides free roadside service to stranded motorists between the hours of 5:30am-9:00am and 3:00pm-6:30pm Monday through Friday (except on holidays).
If you call 511 from your cell phone, use a callbox, or call the CHP directly (858) 637‑3800 or 911 if you’re actually blocking a freeway lane, these guys will come out and give you a gallon of gas, a jump start, or a tow off the freeway if all else fails.
They aren’t paid much and they are out there in speeding traffic, rain and cold trying to help people who need it. Cars left on the shoulders can be hit by traffic speeding by at 80mph, and the sooner people can get to safety the better.
So please, if you’re on the freeway during commute hours and need assistance, give them a call. Just don’t forget to thank them for the service they provide!

I just have to say «PROPS» to SANDAG for their awesome service. Running late for work and ran out of gas.
Just dialed «511» on my cell and they had me back up and driving with gas in the tank in less than 30 minutes…
You guys rock!