AAA Michigan Reports Heavy Call Volume From Stranded Motorists
Dearborn, Mich., Dec. 23, 2004 -- As expected, heavy snow this morning and its aftermath have kept AAA Michigan's Emergency Road Service operations unusually busy today.
From midnight through 5:30 p.m., the Auto Club received 3,919 calls for assistance from motorists statewide. The average call volume the club receives on a normally busy day is about 1,500. Yesterday's (December 22) volume was, 1,360.
This morning, a higher-than-usual number of calls were for winching of vehicles that slid off the road and vehicles disabled in spinout accidents.
AAA has these winter-driving suggestions for motorists: * Faulty batteries cause more car starting problems than any other factor. At 0 degrees, a good battery has 35 percent less starting power than in summer. At minus 20, battery power drops 50 percent. If your battery is more than three years old, have a load test performed at an auto supply store or service station. * Park your car in the garage. If you have no garage, put a tarp over the hood or park protected from prevailing winds. To keep doors from freezing shut, place a plastic trash bag between the door or window glass and the frame. * Keep the fuel tank at least half-full to avoid fuel-line freeze-up. * To avoid frozen door locks, buy a lubricant available in most auto supply stores. If your lock freezes, heat your key with a pocket lighter but remember to wear gloves or hold the key with pliers. Or, fill a plastic jug with hot water. Hold it against the door panel or lock area. Do not throw hot water on the car. It, too, will freeze and you run the risk of cracking glass. * Before starting out, clear snow and ice from windows, roof, hood, all mirrors, head and taillights and wipers. Be sure your wiper washer reservoir is filled. * Carry emergency supplies in the car-boots, hats, gloves, blanket, jumper cables, flashlight, traction mats or kitty litter to put under wheels, a reflective warning triangle, a "coffee can heater" to help stay safe and warm. * Improve your visibility to other drivers by turning on your low-beam headlights. * Reduce your speed on snowy pavement. Avoid sudden starts, stops and hard turns and signal your intentions to turn or change lanes well in advance. Increase the distance between the vehicle in front of you, and plan an "escape route" to another lane in advance to avoid trouble. * Use the proper braking technique for your vehicle. Cars with anti-lock brakes require firm, continuous pressure on the brake pedal. Cars without anti-lock brakes may need firm pressure on the brake pedal just short of wheel lockup, then easing off the brake slightly before reapplying pressure (see your vehicle owner's manual for correct braking techniques). * If you become snowbound, stay with your vehicle. It provides excellent temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Don't try to walk long distances. Use a cell phone to call for help.
AAA and the Michigan Towing Association remind motorists to give tow truck operators a "brake." They're there to help you. Drive with care when a tow truck's there.