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Christine Delise
Sr. Public Relations Specialist, MD
O: (410) 616-1900 (ext. 4361153)
C: (443) 244-7253
cdelise@aaamidatlantic.com
TOWSON, MD (November 20, 2018) –– Drivers across Maryland have already seen how a ‘perfect storm’ of conditions can dramatically disrupt traffic and travel plans with last week’s first winter weather event. Now, there is another ‘perfect storm’ in the making in advance of the Thanksgiving holiday.
With forecasters calling for an extremely cold Thanksgiving, possibly the coldest since 1930, AAA Mid-Atlantic is warning motorists that the extreme cold coming in, the record number of drivers on the road, and the number of vehicles that will be sitting idle for days, will result in thousands of drivers – and their passengers – being stranded in extremely dangerous conditions.
“Breaking down in the extreme cold is not just an inconvenience, it’s an emergency”, says Ragina Cooper Averella, Manager of Public and Government Affairs at AAA Mid-Atlantic. “It is critical that all drivers plan accordingly to protect themselves and their passengers”.
AAA Mid-Atlantic is expecting thousands of dead battery calls, not just on Thanksgiving, but also in the days that follow as people try to start vehicles that have been sitting idle in the cold. This includes not just those driving to their holiday destinations, but also flyers who will be returning to airport parking lots where their vehicles have been sitting in the cold for days.
“Last year over the Thanksgiving holiday, AAA Mid-Atlantic responded to over 1,800 calls from stranded motorists with dead batteries – just in Maryland alone, and chances are none of these drivers actually expected to break down. There’s no doubt, given the weather, we will be even busier than that this year,” said Averella.
With that in mind, AAA Mid-Atlantic will be increasing the number of battery trucks on the road, ready to respond to members as quickly and safely as possible.
WHO ARE YOU GOING TO CALL?
Friends and family members who might typically be available to help in the event of a breakdown may be away or otherwise obligated over the holiday.
AAA is encouraging everyone to make sure their AAA memberships are up to date and to have their AAA cards with them or the AAA help number (800-AAA-HELP) and their AAA membership number programmed into their phones. Download the AAA mobile app as well, as another option for emergency roadside service at AAA.com/Mobile. In extreme conditions, every minute counts.
IT’S NOT JUST ‘TRAVELERS’ AT RISK
Even those who are not traveling for the holiday, those who are just driving across town, driving to the mall for Black Friday or driving to the gym -- ALL motorists are at risk of a breakdown and AAA Mid-Atlantic is urging that they dress and plan accordingly.
PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE
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Mailing Address:
8600 LaSalle Road, Ste 639
Towson, MD 21286
AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 58 million members nationwide and more than 975,000 members in Maryland. AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years. The not-for-profit, fully tax-paying member organization works on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. For more information, visit AAA.com.
Ragina C. Ali
Public Relations Manager, MD
O: (410) 616-1900 (ext. 4361152)
C: (443) 465-5020
RAli@aaamidatlantic.com
Who's in the Driver's Seat? The Transformation of Transportation
On Tuesday, October 17, 2017, AAA and TEDx Wilmington held the first TEDx Salon dedicated to ideas worth spreading in transportation.
This event had:
View a slideshow from the event
This TEDx WilmingtonSalon was organized in partnership with AAA
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