SAFE - Freeway Service Patrol

The Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) assists stranded motorists on Orange County freeways and highways. FSP is a congestion management component within the Services Authority for Freeway Emergencies (SAFE) program. The FSP program began in 1992, in cooperation with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the California Highway Patrol (CHP). 

The goal of the FSP program is to reduce traffic congestion by quickly removing disabled vehicles and those involved in minor accidents from freeways. FSP tow trucks help get stranded motorists back on the road with a jump start, a gallon of gas, by changing a flat tire or repairing a cooling system hose. All services are free and help keep busy freeways moving. FSP tow trucks operate Monday through Friday during peak periods, midday at the "Orange Crush" and weekends on south I-5 between Alicia Parkway and Christianitos Road (Orange County/San Diego county line).

OCTA manages the FSP program, and the CHP provides dispatch, field services whenever law enforcement is required, and oversees the operation of the contracted tow companies.

FSP Funding

Caltrans implemented the statewide FSP program and developed the corresponding Local Funding Allocation Plan to distribute funds to all jurisdictions with an FSP program. In addition to the funding allocation plan, Caltrans requires all local FSPs to provide a 25 percent match. Current Caltrans funding for OCTA’s FSP program is approximately $3 million and OCTA’s match is $770,000.