CVR-SAFE
Capitol Valley Regional SAFE
The Capitol Valley Regional Service Authority for Freeways and Expressways (CVR-SAFE)
Call Boxes
SACOG manages the Sacramento region’s highway and bike trail call box program, a cooperative effort that has put call boxes on about 750 miles of highway in a seven-county area. The boxes provide motorists in need with a direct link to roadside assistance and if necessary the California Highway Patrol, via a private call answering service. In addition, motorists can request roadside assistance by calling 511 toll free. These “mobile call boxes” provide the same access as using a roadside call box.
The program is a joint venture of Sacramento, San Joaquin, Sutter, Yolo, Yuba, and El Dorado counties, which together operate the Capitol Valley Regional Service Authority for Freeways and Expressways (CVR-SAFE), also known as Capitol Valley Regional SAFE (CVR-SAFE). SACOG also manages the call boxes located in Glenn County. It is financed by an annual $1 charge on all registered vehicles in the participating counties. SACOG provides staffing and management for CVR-SAFE.
Program Manager
History of Call Box Program
Call boxes are the yellow telephone boxes installed along highways. They provide direct access to motorists who need assistance. Whether it’s a flat tire, an empty tank of gas or an auto accident, chances are that one day you will need help on the highway. Use of the call box is free. Motorists are responsible for paying for towing and most other roadside assistance charges.
The highway call box program in the Sacramento region began in 1991, with state legislation that enabled five counties to join forces in a cooperative regional call box program. Sacramento, Yolo, Yuba, Sutter and San Joaquin Counties combined to form the Capitol Valley Regional Service Authority For Freeways And Expressways (SAFE). El Dorado County joined the Capitol Valley SAFE in 2000. SACOG began managing the call boxes located in Glenn County in 2000. Together, these seven counties provide call boxes along highways and 511 “mobile call box” service in a more efficient and cost-effective way than if each county was working on its own. Elsewhere in California, the majority of call box programs are operated by individual counties.
Installation of the call boxes began in April 1994. Currently, there are approximately 350 call boxes and over 100 “Roadside Assist” call 511 signs installed on about 750 miles of highway in seven counties.
The call box program is financed from an annual $1 charge on all registered vehicles in the participating counties. The Council of Governments provides the staffing and management for the Capitol Valley Regional Service Authority For Freeways and Expressways (a.k.a. Capitol Valley Regional SAFE, CVR-SAFE).
On June 15, 2023, the CVR-SAFE Board approved the final FY 2023-24 CVR-SAFE annual budget. Please direct any comments or inquiries regarding the CVR-SAFE budget and program to Barbara VaughanBechtold, CVR-SAFE Program Manager at bvaughanbechtold@sacog.org or (916) 340-6226.