AAA Gets 10,000+ Calls…and Counting

Cold Results in Busiest Week of 2017, Today Expected to be Most Calls Yet

More than 10,000 members called AAA for emergency roadside service this week – just in the Greater Hartford area alone – and, AAA says, today will be the busiest day yet, as most people head back to work (or try to!) after the long holiday weekend.

“The day after a long weekend is typically busier than average. Add to that the record number of people whose vehicles sat idle while they were away for the year-end holiday … and the bitter cold… and it is possible we could get thousands of calls today alone” says Amy Parmenter, spokesperson for AAA in Greater Hartford. “Our rescue teams will get to everyone as quickly and safely as possible”.

The extreme cold led AAA in Greater Hartford to close out 2017 with its busiest week of the year. At times, call volume approached 200 calls an hour.

AAA is again reminding motorists to make sure that they have a fully charged phone on hand whenever they leave home, even for a short distance, also to have a full tank of gas and a stocked emergency kit that includes extra warm clothing, a blanket and extra food/snacks and medicine for children or senior passengers.

“AAA wants to ensure all motorists safety and security. It is critical that drivers take every precaution, plan and prepare for the possibility of being stranded roadside for an extended period of time”, Parmenter says.

Why the Extreme Call Volume?

• The cold puts extreme stress on batteries
• Most batteries last 3-5 years
• The cold has a cumulative effect so every day of the extreme cold is more stressful on the battery than the day before
• Tires need more air pressure when it’s cold
• Tires that are not properly inflated are more likely to sustain a flat or blowout
• Vehicles that sit idle over extended period

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West Hartford, CT 06119

AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 58 million members nationwide and more than one million members in Connecticut.  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 www.aaa.com.