Director’s Message: Everyday Heroes on Our Freeways: A Ride-Along with the Freeway Service Patrol

October 28, 2026

Every day, a few unlucky motorists find themselves stranded along the freeways of Sacramento and Yolo counties. Sometimes it's something relatively simple, like a flat tire or running out of gas. Other times, it's a mechanical breakdown or traffic collision. Whatever the reason, being stranded on the shoulder of a busy freeway can quickly become dangerous.

Recently, I had the opportunity to see firsthand how these situations are handled during a ride-along with California Highway Patrol (CHP) Officer McCumsey, who oversees a special team of dispatchers and tow truck drivers responsible for the Sacramento Metropolitan Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) program.

I knew FSP provided free roadside assistance, but spending an afternoon on patrol gave me much greater appreciation for the people behind the program and the important work they perform every day.

Our first stop came almost immediately.

We had just started patrolling US Highway 50 when we encountered a delivery truck stranded along the freeway after running out of fuel. Officer McCumsey coordinated with FSP, and within minutes, a tow truck arrived to assist the driver.

One of the lesser-known benefits of FSP is that drivers can provide a gallon of gasoline at no charge, often enough to get a stranded motorist safely off the freeway and to a nearby gas station.

What could have become a lengthy and potentially dangerous situation was resolved in just a few minutes.

We continued along Highway 50 and soon came across another stranded vehicle, this time a minivan with a flat tire. Rather than leaving the driver exposed to passing traffic, FSP towed the vehicle and its owner to a CHP-approved location off the freeway where they could safely arrange for additional assistance.

This illustrated another important feature of the program. FSP isn't intended to replace conventional towing or roadside repair services. Its primary mission is to get stranded motorists and disabled vehicles out of dangerous situations as quickly as possible.

And the best part? There is no charge for the service, and FSP drivers cannot accept tips.

As we continued our patrol, we encountered a motorist who had pulled onto the shoulder because they were lost. Although the vehicle was operational, stopping along a busy freeway still presented a safety concern. Officer McCumsey assisted the driver so they could safely continue their trip.

A short time later, we encountered debris on Highway 50 that could have damaged passing vehicles or caused drivers to swerve unexpectedly. Officer McCumsey used the CHP patrol vehicle to provide traffic protection while an FSP driver removed the debris from the roadway.

Later in the afternoon, we shifted our patrol to Interstate 80, where Officer McCumsey conducted a safety and communications inspection of an FSP tow truck. He checked that the vehicle had the required equipment, that its communications systems were functioning, and that it carried additional gasoline and other equipment needed to assist stranded motorists.

It was an important reminder that the program involves more than trucks circulating on the freeway. Behind each driver is a coordinated operation involving CHP oversight, trained tow truck operators, dispatchers, equipment requirements, and established safety procedures.

Our final major incident was a rear-end collision. We responded to an assist where CHP and FSP helped move the involved vehicles from the freeway shoulder to a safer location.

Traffic collisions are stressful enough without the added risk of remaining alongside high-speed traffic. By helping clear these incidents quickly, FSP not only improves safety for the people directly involved but also reduces the likelihood of additional collisions and traffic congestion.

Watching this work take place so close to moving traffic was one of the most memorable parts of my afternoon.

It's easy to think of FSP as a towing service, but these drivers do much more than tow vehicles. They regularly work in hazardous conditions, helping motorists while vehicles pass just a few feet away. Their work requires training, awareness, coordination, and a commitment to public safety.

In many ways, these drivers are everyday heroes who rarely receive the recognition they deserve.

After spending an afternoon with Officer McCumsey, I came away with a new appreciation for the people who make this program work.

Most of us see a tow truck assisting a stranded vehicle and think little more about it. What we don't always see is the preparation, coordination, and personal risk involved in providing that assistance alongside thousands of passing vehicles.

The FSP drivers, dispatchers, and CHP personnel do this work every day, often without recognition, helping people during what may be one of the most stressful moments of their day.

I want to thank Officer McCumsey and the entire Freeway Service Patrol team for allowing me to experience their work firsthand, and more importantly, for the service they provide to our community.

The next time you see an FSP truck assisting someone on the freeway, remember that they're not just helping one stranded motorist. They're helping make the freeway safer and more reliable for everyone.