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The freeway chases and crash scenes were filmed on nearly-finished stretches of Southern California freeways in the northern areas of Greater Los Angeles. For the pilot, the Ronald Reagan Freeway (Highway 118) between Interstate 405 and the Balboa exit was used. In the first and second seasons, the production moved to the Glendale Freeway (Highway 2) and Interstate 210 intersection in La Cañada Flintridge, California, along with the section of Interstate 210 between the La Tuna Canyon and Sunland Boulevard exits in La Crescenta, California (about five miles to the west). For the third and subsequent seasons, about two miles of Interstate 210 near the interchange with the Ronald Reagan Freeway (Highway 118) in Sylmar, California were used extensively for the next three seasons. These sections of freeway were under construction for many years, allowing producers a large section of nearly finished freeway to use for the show. The 210 and 118 were opened in the early 1980s, forcing the freeway scenes for the last season to be shot in Long Beach, California and near the Imperial Highway next to Los Angeles International Airport.
Jon was among the first characters on a television series to be identified as a Vietnam Veteran. Larry Wilcox had served in Vietnam as a U.S. Marine during the Tet Offensive.
In October 1981, two real-life California Highway Patrolmen were injured in the line of duty. The show's cast took time out to donate blood for the two officers. One survived.
Larry Wilcox and Erik Estrada were often said to frequently clash, and did not get along well with each other during the production of this show. This was reported to be a factor in Wilcox's decision to quit the series. Estrada was said to be similarly displeased working with Tom Reilly, who replaced Wilcox as Poncherello's partner Officer Bob "Bobby" Nelson.
On the Sam Brown (holster) belt, behind the holster, you'll see the officers wearing a rectangular pouch. This is not a part of CHP/Law Enforcement items. This case actually housed the battery for the wireless microphones the actors wore.
Erik Estrada suffered a very serious motorcycle accident while filming an episode. Until he recovered, he literally shot scenes from his hospital bed.