CAA SCO receives record number of calls on coldest day

Auto club reminds drivers to prepare for extreme cold weather

THORNHILL, ON, Jan. 20, 2014 /CNW/ - Forecasters are calling for bone-chilling temperatures as an arctic blast sweeps across southern Ontario this week.

CAA South Central (CAA SCO) is reminding members to be prepared for higher than normal call volumes and longer than normal wait times.

During the last deep freeze, CAA SCO received a record number of calls for service. On January 3, 2014, service was dispatched to over 9,500 members due to the bitterly cold temperatures which caused battery related issues. During the height of the cold snap, we received approximately 1,000 calls per hour and wait times peaked at four hours.

To put it into perspective, on an average winter day, CAA SCO receives approximately 3,000 calls for service.

Our top priority is always safety. We service high priority calls first - those drivers stranded in the snow and cold - prior to those in the comfort and safety of their homes.

CAA SCO recommends the following winter driving tips:

• Remove all the snow/ice from your vehicle before heading out
• Top up your windshield washer fluid
• Slow down in the snow and drive according to the road conditions
• Leave extra space between vehicles to allow for extra braking distance
• Be alert behind the wheel and focus on driving

Pack an emergency kit, including: ice scraper, snow brush, snow shovel, windshield washer fluid, booster cables, kitty litter, flashlight and batteries, first aid kit, extra clothing and footwear, bottled water, snacks and carry a fully charged phone.

Members can request service 24/7 via phone [phone]) or online (www.caasco.com/Requestroadside).

CAA South Central Ontario is a not-for-profit auto club offering roadside services, automotive care, travel and insurance. There are more than 1.9 million CAA members in South Central Ontario and over 5.9 million members in Canada.

Follow @CAASCO_News on Twitter for regular updates on wait times, other news and information.

SOURCE: CAA South Central Ontario

Media Contact: Jeff LeMoine, Communications Consultant, CAA SCO, [email protected], Office: [phone], Cell: [phone].