記得以前在台灣時，朋友間聊天常提到，開車時若車子故障停靠路邊，就是所謂的「顧路」。白話說法就是，車子不能動的話，車主在馬路邊當觀眾等著被拯救之意，若不想遇到這種窘境，要就是原廠提供拖吊服務，否則得自費購買24小時道路救援。不過，在加州洛杉磯這裡，若不幸「顧路」的話，馬上就會有人出面拯救，而且還是「通通不要錢」。
話說我以前住在Torrance時，常會在91號高速公路穿梭往返，這條公路的路況奇差無比，不但路表面崎嶇不平，還會有些大車會從後貨斗掉東西，小件物品也就算了，有時還會掉出具有殺傷力的大型物品，若你此時選擇緊跟後方，能做的就是抓緊方向盤閉眼大喊：「Oh!My god~」然後看會怎麼樣了…。
有天我從西往東的方向衝刺上班時，竟莫名其妙被躺在路中間的不知名汽車零件戳破而爆胎，只聽到轟然巨響後方向盤不聽使喚，只得放緩速度、打方向燈往路邊停靠。就定位後，慌亂的我下車察看才發現，前兩天迷糊的把換胎工具丟在家裡，眼前有備胎無工具怎麼更換？這實在是太離譜了！打開手機竟發現沒電，心想自己霉運當頭，正萬念俱灰之際，一輛白色卡車放慢速度停下來，上面寫著：「California Freeway Service Patrol」。
當時心想，這跟台灣高速公路一樣，是有民間業者來趁火打劫敲竹槓嗎？未料並非如此，一位看似凶神惡煞的大漢露出溫柔眼神說：「爆胎了是嗎？」我正揮手說不需要時，他卻已拿出工具準備幫我換胎，想到得花大把鈔票的恐懼下，馬上過去制止這位大漢，沒想到他舉起充滿刺青的粗壯手臂揮動說：「放心啦！一切都免費的，要說費用是誰出的，就是我們加州的州稅所承擔，這是屬於公共服務。若開車開到沒油，我們會提供一加侖汽油，讓你開到最近的加油站。」
天啊！沒想到我會遇到救星，心裡實在感激萬分，這時感受到生活在加州真好！！當他臨走時，我也回以燦爛的笑容道謝，只不過轉頭看看愛車破損的輪胎時，又露出了哀怨表情，這條陣亡的輪胎可要價80美金耶！
以下是加州公路服務義警的資訊：
Freeway Service Patrol
The Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) is a joint program provided by Caltrans, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the local transportation agency. The FSP program is a free service of privately owned tow trucks that patrol designated routes on congested urban California freeways. FSP operates Monday through Friday during peak commute hours, and all day in pre-designated freeway construction zones.
The goal of the FSP is to maximize the effectiveness of the freeway transportation system. The FSP is a congestion management tool which strategically addresses commute traffic pattern problems. Deployment of the FSP trucks is driven by congestion patterns in major metropolitan areas. It is necessary for the FSP program to respond immediately to changing or increasing needs for impediment mitigation.
The goal is accomplished by the expeditious removal of disabled/stranded vehicles from the freeway. Removing obstructions on the freeways as rapidly as possible has a positive impact on traffic volumes by eliminating problems which contribute to non-recurrent congestion. Each year, the FSP program assists approximately 600,000 motorists in ten metropolitan areas.
Rapid removal of freeway obstructions also reduces fuel consumption and minimizes automobile emissions by reducing the time vehicles spend idling in stopped traffic. Currently, over 300 tow trucks operated by CHP-trained, certified and supervised drivers, patrol in excess of 1,400 miles of the most congested freeways in California.
If you get stuck on the freeway because your automobile stops running, FSP can help. For example, FSP will:
Offer you a gallon of gas, if you run out.
”Jump start” your car if the battery is dead.
Refill your radiator and tape hoses.
Even change a flat tire.
Note: The FSP program...
Cannot tow your vehicle to a private repair service or residence.
Does not recommend tow service companies, repair or body shops.
Does not tow motorcycles.
Does not assist vehicles which have been involved in accidents, unless directed by CHP.
Does report any accident to the CHP.
If FSP cannot get your car going, it will be towed free of charge to a location approved by the CHP. FSP will also contact additional assistance for you. The CHP will notify an auto club or towing service.
The FSP serves the following areas:
Valley Division - the Sacramento Metro Area, and the Tracy Area
Golden Gate Division - the San Francisco Bay Area
Central Division - the Fresno Area
Southern Division - the Los Angeles Basin
Inland Division - the Riverside Area
Border Division - the San Diego Area, and the Orange County Area
Coastal Division - the Monterey Area, and the Santa Cruz Area
在加州開車，遇到這種白色卡車就可以獲救了！
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