A FasTrak sign for the express lanes along the southbound 15 Freeway is seen near Cantu-Galleano Ranch Road in Eastvale in February 2020. (File photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Q: Mark Wirth of Forest Falls in San Bernardino County asked if it is legal to tow a travel trailer on FasTrak lanes.
A: To be clear, FasTrak is an electronic payment method using a transponder to pay on California’s toll roads; this is not the actual name of the toll roads themselves. We will share the policy of local toll lanes that use FasTrak regarding towing trailers.
Trailers and travel boats cannot be towed in the 91 and 15 Express Lanes. The Riverside County Transportation Commission and Orange County Transportation Authority jointly own and operate 91 Express Lanes while RCTC owns and operates 15 Express Lanes. The largest vehicles allowed on the 91 and 15 Express Lanes are motorhomes and buses. Boats and trailers can be towed, however, on the Orange County Toll Roads, or the 73, 133, 246 and 241 owned and operated by the Corridor Transportation Agencies and using the FasTrak system .
When paying with FasTrak on Orange County Toll Roads, the trailer or boat license plate must be registered to your account which you can do online or through the app. If you don’t have a FasTrak account, you can pay the toll online through the website or app within five days before or after driving. Visit thetollroads.com/help/faqs/can-i-tow-a-boat-or-trailer-on-the-toll-roads/ and 91expresslanes.com/faqs/#faqHowTo for more details.
On the Road recently addressed the important issue of accidental hot car deaths this summer, often involving babies and children. Extremely hot temperatures outside pose additional risks for drivers of all ages who may be unprepared for unexpected conditions while traveling by car in the summer. We’re talking about things like your car overheating on the freeway, a flat tire or a sudden thunderstorm. We would like to share some safety tips:
• Keep a few bottles of water and snacks in your car in case you get stuck on the freeway for a few hours waiting for a tow truck or for roadside assistance to change a flat tire. wheel.
• Cars, trucks and camping trailers can all overheat. Before a long road trip with the RV or camping trailer, take your vehicle for a check-up and have the battery, fluid level, gauges, belts and hoses checked, air conditioning and tires. Make sure your tires are in good condition, properly inflated, with enough tread. Bring a spare tire! Also, check the coolant. If you carry antifreeze in case of a leak, it should be kept in a closed, childproof container.
• Drive slowly on the freeway, and don’t push your car or RV too hard.
• Plan your route in advance and make sure cell phones are charged. Check for freeway closures so you don’t get stuck anywhere.
Here are more detailed tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: nhtsa.gov/summer-driving-tips.
Do you commute to work in the Inland Empire? Spending a lot of time in your car? Have questions about driving, freeways, toll roads or parking? If so, write or call On the Road and we’ll try to answer your questions. Please include your question or issue, name, city of residence, phone number and email address. Write ontheroad@scng.com or call 951-368-9670.
