AAA Service Calls Skyrocket Amid Extreme Weather

In the days since Saturday’s snowstorms, AAA East Central emergency roadside assistance has seen a surge in requests related to dead batteries, stuck vehicles, and stranded motorists. Altogether, the Club has fielded more than 37,000 service calls across its territory between Saturday and Thursday, which is about 80% higher than typical for winter.

“Our call centers have been extremely busy this week, and there’s no sign of things slowing down,” says Jim Garrity, director of public affairs, AAA East Central. “We implore the public to take precautions in the face of continued bitter cold to avoid an unnecessary roadside breakdown.”

This week’s top service requests have been:

1. Dead batteries (36%)
2. Towing requests (34%)
3. Extractions (18%)
4. Tire changes/flat tires (7%)
5. Lockouts (4%)

According to research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, about 46 percent of all crashes involving bad weather take place during the colder months. Snowstorms, bad weather, and sloppy road conditions are factors in nearly half a million crashes and more than 2,000 road deaths every year.

Winter months can be an especially busy time for dead batteries, flat tires, and vehicle extractions. AAA prioritizes member safety during service calls, which means dangerous situations take precedent. AAA members can download and use the Auto Club App to request roadside assistance, which also allows them to track the tow truck from their device. 

AAA East Central offers the following tips for drivers this weekend:

• If you can, stay home. This is the number one way to avoid a crash in the winter. 
• Leave early. Running late to work leads to anxiety which can cloud judgment and possibly lead to risky driving behaviors.
• Slow down. Accelerate, turn, and brake as gradually and smoothly as possible. This will help maintain control in rough conditions.
• Don’t tailgate. Normal following distances of three to four seconds on dry pavement should be extended to a minimum of five to six seconds when driving on slippery surfaces. The extra time will provide additional braking room should a sudden stop become necessary. 
• Never use cruise control on slippery roads. If a vehicle hydroplanes or skids, motorists will lose the ability to regain some traction simply by lifting off the accelerator. It will be harder to recover from the loss of traction if cruise control is active.
• Turn against the skid. If a car begins to skid, continue to steer in the direction you want the car to go.
• Use the Auto Club App to request roadside assistance. AAA members have access to the Auto Club App, which allows them to request roadside assistance virtually and track the tow truck’s progress.

To prepare a vehicle for winter driving:

• Have the vehicle’s battery tested. Dead batteries are a primary culprit during AAA service calls.
• Replace worn windshield-wiper blades. Purchase one-piece, beam-type or rubber-clad “winter” blades to fight snow and ice buildup. Use cold-weather windshield washer solvent and carry an ice scraper.
• Inspect tires. Make sure tires have adequate tread depth – at least 4/32″ – as worn tires can affect a motorist’s ability to stop in slick conditions. An easy way to check for wear is by inserting a quarter into the tread groove. If the top of Washington’s head is exposed, the tread depth is less than 4/32″ and it’s time to replace tires. Also, check that the vehicle has a spare tire and keep it properly inflated. In harsh winter climates, a set of snow tires may be a wise investment.
• Carry an emergency kit equipped for winter weather. The kit should include sand or cat litter, a small shovel, flashlight, an ice scraper or snow brush, booster cables, a blanket, gloves or mittens and flares or reflective triangles.

More AAA winter car care tips can be found here. 

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 69 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. AAA East Central provides services to its members including Automotive, Insurance, Discounts & Rewards, Financial, and Travel. Find out more about AAA Membership and current savings here.

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Ben

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