About CalSAFE
The CalSAFE program began in 1986. A total of 17 SAFEs have been formed, covering 31 of California's 58 counties. Together these SAFEs hav installed over 15,000 call boxes in California.
Forming a SAFE gives a county the authority to levy and collect a $1 fee on all vehicles registered within that county. The funds raised may only be used to provide a motorist aid system within the county in which they are collected. The roadside call box is the main component of a motorist aid system. Some SAFEs have also added roving tow trucks (Freeway Service Patrol) to their system and some are working on other projects to better assist and inform motorists.
The SAFE project managers from each of California's SAFEs, California Highway Partol representatives from the State's CHP headquarters and the regional dispatch centers, and Caltrans representatives meet every two months as CalSAFE. CalSAFE serves as a forum where SAFEs can discuss issues facing them and suggest possible solutions. CalSAFE also serves as a resource for all participants and any agency or individuals interested in call boxes or other SAFE programs.
California SAFEs
Over 15,000 call boxes have been installed in California, covering over 6,300 miles of highway in 26 counties. Call boxes are located on the right hand shoulders of many California roadways. The distance between call boxes ranges from 1/4 mile (on heavily traveled urban freeways) to 2 miles ( on more lightly traveled rural roadways). Highways with median strips or more than four traffic lanes require the installation of a call box in each direction at about the same postmile.
Call Box Operation
Generally call boxes are solar powered cellular phones with a direct link to a California Highway Patrol (CHP) communications center. Call boxes are available on freeways, highways and expressways in most of the more densley populated regions of California. Using the call box a motorist may report a road hazard, flat tire, mechanical breakdown, traffic accident or other incident. Call box calls are considered a lower priority than cellular 911 calls and calls from other emergency service agencies. Therefore, are third priority calls and if a mojor emergency or number of emergencies are in progress at the time that a call box call is made, it may take the CHP operators some time to answer the call box. However if the call box caller remains on the line the first available CHP operator will answer the call box.
To use a call box motorists need only open the front of the unit and, depending on the model, simply pick up the phone or press a button to reach a CHP operator. Since the call is coded, the CHP operator automatically knows the location of the call box being used. This means that the call box user does not need to know his or her location to receive assistance. Upon receiving the call, the CHP operator will dispatch appropriate assistance or connect the caller to a desired phone number for roadside assistance. Use of the call box is free, but call box users are responsible for paying towing and other roadside assistance charges.
Freeway Service Partol (FSP)
The Freeway Service Patrol is designed to increase roadway safety, reduce motorist delays, reduce freeway congestion, reduce air pollution and improve overall efficiency of freeway operations. FSP is a fleet of roving white tow trucks on the lookout for stalls and and accidents during peak commute hours. Over 350 CHP certified and supervised tow truck drivers assist 50,000 motorists monthly on California freeways absolutely free.
FSP tow truck drivers will assist any stranded motorist that they come upon as they rove the freeways. FSP tow truck drivers may also be dispatched by the CHP to assist a motorist that has used a call box to request assistance. The FSP will change a flat tire, jump start a car, provide a gallon of fuel, provide water, tape a hose or provide other minor assistance, the FSP driver will tow disabled vehicles away from the traffic lanes to a location designated by the CHP where the motorist can contact someone for furthur assistance.
The Freeway Service Patrol was established by the California legislature through the Freeway Service Patrol Act. The program is funded by a combination of State, local and federal funds. The state funds are authorized yearly through the State budget process and are distributed to the agencies that run Freeway Service Patrol program using a formula that takes into consideration population and traffic congestion. The State funds comprise about 70% of the total funding for FSP programs statewide.