Comments on: Free Roadside Assistance

By: GEoff

GEoff — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:59:29 +0000

I’m a Dallas resident and was pretty excited about this program, it’s one of the reasons I cancelled AAA. Had a flat in downtown Dallas, called the toll free number and they basically transferred me to a towing company, it was glorified directory assistance.

The service you get varies significantly based on where in Texas you are etc, but don’t rely on it to replace AAA.

By: Smithee

Smithee — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 13:42:26 +0000

I looked for about an hour, but couldn’t find a summary or state-by-state comparison.

By: Davosian

Davosian — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 12:19:08 +0000

Can you post a link where to find the services each state provides?

By: Julia

Julia — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 06:00:57 +0000

This is true for Texas (and here they call it DPS, so perhaps this was about the service in Texas).

I’d recommend those who have AAA memberships or are considering one also look at an alternative membership: http://www.betterworldclub.com/competition/aaa_chart.htm

Please be sure to click the link about AAA’s policy agenda, too. You may find that AAA has been doing things that you don’t agree with. There are alternatives!

My parents have AAA and used it a TON when we were kids (flat tires, break downs in the middle of a road trip, one sibling locking the youngest sibling in the car). I am not a member. As a cyclist, i can’t imagine supporting AAA.

By: VG

VG — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 19:23:48 +0000

what state are you in?

By: Rick

Rick — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 19:20:20 +0000

Near as I can tell, NJ does NOT have this. Nothing on my license, nothing on the DMV website.

AAA is preferable anyway. I’ve worked with the NJ DMV on multiple things – it’s unreliable.

I like to say to those people who believe that the government can actually do something well to think of 3 things:
1. Amtrak
2. The Post Office
3. The DMV

Once you get these images fixed in your mind, then wrap around the concept of government run health care. I shudder.

By: Rassah

Rassah — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:11:36 +0000

Makes sense. Cheaper for the local government to send out someone to help than to send out someone to clean up and scrape stuff off the pavement.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 14:37:12 +0000

I’m in Texas and once ran out of gas on I-35 between San Antonio & New Braunfels at midnight (my gas gauge was stuck)…and I called the number and a DPS trooper showed up with a 5 gal gas can for me! The trooper was so nice about it and said the state would prefer I not walk along the highway at night. No charge and I will forever be a fan!

By: Nate

Nate — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:19:22 +0000

It is too bad that the program is government-run. If it was a volunteer program, I think that I might join.

Thanks,
Nate

By: Brandon Barkley

Brandon Barkley — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 12:41:01 +0000

I once got help with a flat for free. I did not call a hotline, but a truck owned by the state department of transportation stopped behind me and helped. This service is only available within large cities though.