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== Overview == The availability, standards and upkeep of facilities at a stop vary by jurisdiction. Service stations have [[parking]] areas allotted for [[car]]s and [[truck]]s, articulated trucks, as well as [[bus]]es and [[Caravan (towed trailer)|caravans]]. Most government rest areas tend to be located in more remote or [[rural]] areas, where there are likely no [[fast food]] eateries (let alone any full-service [[restaurant]]s), fuel stations, hotels, [[Campsite|campgrounds]] or other roadside services nearby. The locations of these remote rest areas are usually marked by signs on the freeway or motorway; for example, a sign may read, "Next Rest Area 64 miles", "Next Services 48 miles" or "Next Rest Stop 10 km". Driving information is usually available at these locations, such as posted [[map]]s and other local information, along with [[public toilet]]s; again, however, depending on the location or standards of the area, some stops have rows of [[Chemical toilet|portable toilets]] ("porta-potties") available rather than a more permanent structure or restroom building. Some rest areas have visitor information kiosks, or even stations with staff on duty. There may also be [[drinking fountain]]s, [[vending machine]]s, pay [[telephone]]s, a [[fuel station]], a restaurant/[[food court]], or a [[convenience store]] at a service area. Some rest areas provide free coffee for long-distance drivers, paid-for by donations from other travelers (and-or donations from local businesses, civic groups, churches, etc.). Many service stations have [[Wi-Fi]] access, bookshops and newsstands.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.roadtripamerica.com/dashboarding/Wi-Fi-On-The-Highway.htm |title=Wi-Fi on the Highway: Rest Stops Go High-Tech |author=Reed, Aaron |date=January 18, 2008 |website= Road Trip America |access-date=June 7, 2011}}</ref> Many scenic rest areas have [[picnic]] areas. Service areas tend to have traveller information in the form of so-called "exit guides", which often contain very basic maps and advertisements for local [[motel]]s and nearby [[tourist attraction]]s. Privatised commercial services may take the form of a [[truck stop]] complete with a [[filling station]], [[arcade video game]]s, and even a children's recreation area or playground, as well as [[shower]] and [[laundry]] facilities, nearby fast food eateries(s), or their own [[cafeteria]] or food court, all under one roof, immediately adjacent to the motorway. Some offer business and financial services, such as [[automatic teller machine|ATM]]s, [[fax]] machines, office [[cubicle]]s, as well as the aforementioned [[internet]] access. === Safety issues === Some rest areas have the reputations of being unsafe with regard to crime, especially at night, since they are usually situated in remote or rural areas and inherently attract transient individuals. California's current policy is to maintain existing public rest areas but no longer build new ones, due to the cost and difficulty of keeping them safe, although many California rest stops now feature [[highway patrol]] quarters.<ref name="findlaw1">Cal. Streets and Highways Code Sections 225.5 [http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cacodes/shc/218-226.5.html] and 731 [http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cacodes/shc/720-734.html].</ref>{{failed verification|date=May 2022}}
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