Consumerism Commentary - Latest Comments in Free Roadside Assistance, Kind of, Sort of

Re: Free Roadside Assistance, Kind of, Sort of

GEoff — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:59:29 -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.

Re: Free Roadside Assistance, Kind of, Sort of

Smithee — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 09:42:26 -0000

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

Re: Free Roadside Assistance, Kind of, Sort of

Davosian — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 08:19:08 -0000

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

Re: Free Roadside Assistance, Kind of, Sort of

Julia — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 02:00:57 -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....

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.

Re: Free Roadside Assistance, Kind of, Sort of

VG — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:23:48 -0000

what state are you in?

Re: Free Roadside Assistance, Kind of, Sort of

Rick — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:20:20 -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.

Re: Free Roadside Assistance, Kind of, Sort of

Rassah — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 11:11:36 -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.

Re: Free Roadside Assistance, Kind of, Sort of

Michelle — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 10:37:12 -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!

Re: Free Roadside Assistance, Kind of, Sort of

Nate — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:19:22 -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

Re: Free Roadside Assistance, Kind of, Sort of

Brandon Barkley — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 08:41:01 -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.