STA and the CHP: Freeway Service Patrol Partnership

October 21, 2026

If you commute along the Sacramento or Yolo County freeway corridors on weekday mornings or afternoons, it’s likely that you’ll see someone pulled over on the side of the road. But what happens when that someone is you? Maybe you’ve run out of gas, or you’ve got a flat tire. Worse, maybe you’ve been in an accident.

The Sacramento Transportation Authority’s (STA) Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) has been helping stranded motorists for more than 30 years. In partnership with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the program is designed to reduce freeway congestion by quickly finding and removing minor incidents during peak traffic hours every Monday through Friday.

What began with four tow trucks has grown today to 15 trucks, providing an average of over 30,000 assists each year. In coordination with the CHP, the FSP’s tow truck drivers patrol designated sections of congested freeways, stopping to help people, removing debris from the road, and towing people to safety.

STA’s Special Programs Manager, Jennifer Doll, has overseen this vital community benefit for the past 11 years. “People don’t often realize than minor incidents are actually responsible for more than half of all freeway congestion in Sacramento and Yolo counties. The Freeway Service Patrol saves motorists more than two million wasted hours on the road each year.” Doll continues, “If we can’t get a vehicle running quickly, we will tow it at no cost to a CHP approved location. Not only are we bringing drivers to safety but we’re helping to keep traffic moving and reducing further highway risks.” 

CHP officers synchronize their routes with the tow truck drivers, staying in constant radio contact to ensure drivers stopped along the side of the road are given assistance quickly and efficiently.

Officer Jeffrey Hand, CHP Freeway Service Patrol Coordinator, has witnessed countless vehicle involved incidents over his career as a law enforcement officer. He believes the FSP’s team approach is essential in aiding all drivers. “Our CHP officers know each of the tow truck drivers, and they know us. Not only are we looking out for motorists, but we are looking out for each other. It is very dangerous to be pulled over within feet of cars traveling at 65 miles per hour - for the tow truck operators, patrol officers, and everyone traveling on our freeways.”

Motorists are surprised to learn that there are no costs for FSP services. The tow truck professionals can provide a gallon of gas, change a flat tire, jump start a car, make minor vehicle repairs, and give a tow if the problem can’t be fixed within 10 minutes. Funding is provided by state grants administered by Caltrans and a local grant administered by the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG).

The STA program is widely recognized for its strong collaboration and cost effectiveness with partner agencies, service contractors, and the public itself. Motorists are encouraged to learn more by visiting the FSP webpage and downloading the program’s free brochure: https://sacramentota.specialdistrict.org/freeway-service-patrol