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Ragina C. Ali
Public Relations Manager, MD
O: (410) 616-1900 (ext. 4361152)
C: (443) 465-5020
RAli@aaamidatlantic.com
TOWSON, MD (Friday, July 5, 2019) –– During this dangerous heat wave, and the unusually hot and humid conditions, AAA is urging drivers, parents and caregivers to “look before you lock,” and to protect yourself and others from vehicular heat stroke, which claimed the lives of 52 children in 2018, the most in 20 years. In addition to exacting a toll on the human body, the sweltering heat wave will trigger rampant vehicle breakdowns and automotive failures.
As temperatures continue to push 90 degrees across the region, commuters and travelers need to be aware of the added stress high temperatures place on the human body and vehicles. With the heatwave expected to continue through the July 4th holiday weekend, motorists are reminded to take a few precautions before hitting the road and be mindful of summer driving conditions on the way to their destinations.
Whether they are heading across the country or across town, AAA Mid-Atlantic is advising holiday travelers and all motorists to make sure vehicles are road-ready and up-to-date on maintenance, this is particularly important as temperatures soar. Staying on top of routine vehicle maintenance is the best way to prevent roadside breakdowns. It is double trouble. Breakdowns can put drivers and their passengers at risk and in harm’s way, especially on busy Interstate highways. “Vehicular heatstroke kills a child in the United States every nine days,” warns the U.S. Department of Transportation. “Heat is the No.1 weather-related killer in the U.S., and the hottest days, particularly days over 90°F, are associated with dangerous ozone pollution levels that can trigger asthma attacks, heart attacks, and other serious health impacts,” according to Climate Central.
Heat can also kill your car and your wallet. “While the overall lifespan of vehicles has increased over the years, AAA research has shown that older vehicles are four times more likely than newer vehicles to encounter a problem serious enough to require a tow to a repair facility,” said Dax Haak, District Director, of AAA Car Care. “If a car does end up at a repair shop, not only will a road trip be interrupted, drivers can expect to spend anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars to get back on the road,” Haak added.
At the first sign of a mechanical problem, motorists should try to safely move their vehicle as far to the right as possible, away from the lanes of traffic. Then stay in the vehicle and call for help immediately. When help arrives, remain in your vehicle until police or AAA’s Roadside Rescue approaches with further instructions.”
With 41.4 million Americans, including nearly 900,000 Marylanders, traveling by automobile for the Fourth, AAA expects to rescue nearly 367,000 motorists during the holiday weekend. In this period in 2018, AAA rescued 9,490 motorists in Maryland.
“The big three: dead batteries, flat tires and lockouts will be the leading reasons motorists will experience car trouble,” said Haak. “Back-ups and delays caused by things like vehicle crashes can result in drivers being stranded along highways for extended periods of time. Summer’s heat can cause dangerous conditions for those stranded without shade. Just as motorists place an emergency kit for their cars during winter, they should do the same in summer.”
AAA offers these tips to keep drivers safe and vehicles operating in the warm weeks ahead:
AAA recommends motorists take their vehicles to a trusted repair facility, such as a AAA Car Care Center in the mid-Atlantic region or one of the more than 7,000 AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities across North America to perform any needed maintenance before heading out on a road trip. AAA reminds drivers to take the following safety precautions on the road:
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Mailing Address:
8600 LaSalle Road, Ste 639
Towson, MD 21286
AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to over 59 million members nationwide and more than 982,000 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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