Mobile Call Box Program


It happens to drivers all of the time, and it never happens at the right time. And with the automobile as the primary mode of transportation for residents of San Diego County, it’s bound to happen to you – your car breaks down on a busy highway.

Whether you have a flat tire, or simply run out of gas, it can be a stressful and potentially dangerous situation. The San Diego Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies (SAFE) recently launched a Mobile Call Box program, in which roadside assistance is accessible directly through your cell phone. In the event you need roadside assistance, ensure your safety by following these easy steps:

Pull over to the shoulder of the road, and turn on your hazard lights.
Determine where you are located, either by the nearest exit, highway number or other landmark.
Stay safely in your car, and dial 5-1-1 from your cell phone
When prompted, say “Roadside Assistance.”
From the safety of your car, your call will be directed to the Call Box Answer Center, a representative will help you receive the proper roadside assistance, and provide information for various services, including the California Highway Patrol, AAA and the Manufacturer Help Line.

In addition to walking to the nearest stationary call box, you now have the same great service on your cell phone and you can remain relatively stress-free and in the safety of your vehicle. Call Boxes are still operational and available on San Diego freeways and state routes if a cell phone is not available.

The SAFE Mobile Call Box program works in conjunction with the San Diego Association of Governments' (SANDAG) 5-1-1 Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS). Through 5-1-1, callers also have access to real-time reports on traffic conditions and incidents, driving times, public transit schedules, and route and fare information, as well as carpool and vanpool referrals, bicycling information, and more – 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

San Diego Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies

MOBILE CALL BOX PROGRAM
PHONE 5-1-1 FIRST


• Instead of dialing 9-1-1 or using a roadside call box, motorists with cellular phones who need motorist aid services dial 5-1-1.
• Cellular service providers direct these calls to the Call Box Answer Center, which handles them as call box calls are currently handled, and gets the caller the needed assistance.
• The San Diego SAFE pays for the costs of call answering.
• Service only available on San Diego freeways and highways in a non-emergency situation.


BENEFITS TO MOTORISTS
• Modernizes the provision of motorist aid services using updated technology;
• Allows motorist to make the call from the relative safety of his or her vehicle;
• Capitalizes on the training and experience of Call Box Answer Center operators in handling motorist aid calls and recognizing calls requiring special handling;
• Reduces the average waiting time before a roadside assistance call is answered to less than 20 seconds;
• Provides enhanced access to call box services for persons with mobility disabilities, who can now obtain assistance without leaving the vehicle.
• Reduces the number of cellular 9-1-1 calls that CHP must answer, freeing CHP operators to handle real 9-1-1 and homeland security calls.