High heat leaves drivers stranded on highway

By Marco Villarreal

CREATED Jul. 11, 2012

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  • The Freeway Service Patrol helps many people, especially during the hot summer months. Video by ktnv.com

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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- A lot of motorists learned the hard way today that in this heat, it's important to take care of your car so it takes care of you. 

"It really depends on the weather actually. In the summertime like this we stay real busy," says Andy Pavey who works for the Freeway Service Patrol.

"Usually on average, I'll stop and help 10 or 15 people a day," he says.

Pavey and five other guys patrol the busiest sections of freeway in Las Vegas looking for stranded drivers..

"A lot of overheats are due to the weather. Tires blowing apart, again due to the heat. Especially when it gets over 100 like this," says Pavey.

In the van, they've got everything from motor oil, to driving belts and other kinds of cables -- anything these guys need to make minor repairs on the side of the road.

One lady waited an hour on the side of the road in 110 degrees. Turns out her car couldn't handle the heat. Especially since it was nearly empty on coolant. While Pavey helped out one driver, another man approached in need of help.

"I'm out of gas," he tells Pavey.

"Oh yeah? I've got gas too. If you want to just head back up there as soon as I get clear here I'll head up there," he responds.

In just over an hour Pavey helped three people in triple digit temperatures who avoided getting baked on the Las Vegas highways.

"Our general rule is we stop for everybody," says Andy.

Pavey says the best thing to do in case you get stranded is to always have some water in your car, and always check to make sure you car has the proper fluids and fuel.

And just in case you're having a bad day and your car has issues you can always dial Star NHP or Star 647 to have Pavey or one of his friends come lend a hand.