I-15 to get free service patrol

A lifesaving program will soon be extended to Interstate 15.

The Freeway Service Patrol program which provides free motorist assistance along U.S. 95 from Craig Road to Tropicana Avenue will expand coverage to I-15 from Russell to Craig roads.

"Everyone seems to love them," said Nevada Department of Transportation spokesperson Jeanne Corcoran. "And they really provide a needed service in Nevada."

Corcoran referred to certified mechanics, the four patrolmen who have served about 1,900 motorists a month since they began assistance on April 5, she said.

"We can change a flat, provide emergency amounts of fluids like water, gas or diesel fuel, change hoses or fan belts, and deal with minor electrical problems," said patrolman Tom Van Fosse.

They operate during "peak traffic times" from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays on U.S. 95, said Nevada Department of Transportation Director Tom Stephens.

Starting Oct. 5, service will be extended to I-15 from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays.

"They've been so popular," Corcoran said. "They give out comment cards to the people they help and we get five or six back per week saying it's the greatest program."

The free assistance is beneficial not only to those assisted, she said.

"It's a win-win situation for everybody. It costs nothing for the motorist. It gets them up, gets them going, and it relieves traffic congestion for everyone."

"It's incredible how many accidents are caused by broken-down motorists," Nevada Highway Patrolman Scott Flabi added. "Other people have to take evasive action and then there's rubberneckers.

"And we love them (Service Patrolmen) because they free us up to do what we do best, and that's enforcement and (dealing with) accidents," he said.

Although they generally deal with minor problems which can be solved in 15 minutes, the service patrolmen have even saved a few lives.

A few weeks ago Van Fosse came across a stalled motorist on U.S. 95.

"The car was on the side of the road, and the driver was sitting in the passenger seat with the door open," Van Fosse said. "He had his legs sticking out and his feet up on the guardrail.

"Our policy is to have stalled motorists wait outside their cars off the road protected by the guard-rail," Van Fosse said. "So I advised him to wait outside of the car."

"He said he had a tow truck coming and didn't need my help, so I left.

"But a little while later I came back, because I said I'd check on him, and there were flashing police lights all over the place."

Trying to avoid the stalled car, a Ford Bronco had brushed against a tractor-trailer and eventually hit the car, Van Fosse said.

"The whole rear end was pushed up almost to the steering wheel," he said. "Had the guy been sitting there, he would have been killed."

"When I got out of the van, he ran over to me and said, 'Thanks man, you saved my life.'"

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