With wet roads in the future, California Highway Patrol officers reminded Southland motorists Thursday to slow down.
“It’s a simple matter of physics that your vehicle can’t stop as fast or turn as accurately on wet or icy pavement, CHP Officer Edgar Figueroa said. “And in fog, reduced speed is equally important because vision is impaired.”
Stranded drivers can dial 511 to summon a Freeway Service Patrol vehicle, Figueroa said. The FSP is a venture between Caltrans, the CHP, and 10 local jurisdictions, and its tow trucks patrol more than 1,400 miles of freeways.
FSP offers the following free services:
— changing flat tires;
— jump-starting vehicles;
— refilling radiators and taping leaky hoses; and
— putting a gallon of fuel in gas tanks.
“FSP assists more than 600,000 stranded motorists per year,” Figueroa said. “Their goal is to quickly repair or remove disabled vehicles to relieve freeway congestion.
“If FSP cannot get the car running within 10 minutes, it will tow the car absolutely free of charge to a safe drop location off the freeway,” Figueroa said.
The CHP also advised maintaining safe distances between vehicles; watching for stalled cars and other obstacles ahead; avoiding cellphone use and other distractions; avoiding lane changes and passing maneuvers; and not driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
Even posted speed limits — on area freeways, generally 65 mph — can be too fast during a storm, CHP Officer Robert Catano said.
“It’s drivers’ responsibility to maintain a speed (at which) they can maintain control of their vehicle regardless of weather conditions,” Catano said.
Tires, brakes and lights should be checked periodically.
— City News Service