Prepare NOT to Breakdown

AAA Expects to Respond to Thousands of Calls over Memorial Day Weekend 

AAA expects to respond to more than three thousand calls over the Memorial Day weekend – just in the Greater Hartford* area alone. With that in mind, AAA is encouraging anyone planning to get away next weekend to spend some time this weekend making sure their vehicle is road ready.

“While most road trippers greatest concern is sitting in holiday traffic, a greater concern should be sitting along the side of the road with car trouble that could have been avoided,” says Amy Parmenter, spokesperson for AAA in Greater Hartford. “Investing a little time this weekend could save you a lot of time – and money – next weekend”.

Last year, just in the Greater Hartford area alone, AAA Emergency roadside crews responded to more than 3500 calls for help over the Memorial Day weekend – and almost half of them required a tow. This year, AAA projects that even more New Englanders will be hitting the road for the long holiday weekend and, of course, more travelers means more calls for help.

“The Memorial Day weekend will be a long weekend for AAA Emergency Roadside crews – but not a holiday,” Parmenter says.

Taking a look at last Memorial Day weekend, in addition to the tow calls, AAA responded to battery calls, tire calls, calls from drivers who had locked themselves out of their cars and drivers who had run out of gas.

“In fact, over the holiday weekend last year, AAA got more calls for lockouts than for flat tires!! An inconvenient reminder that sometimes slowing down actually saves time,” Parmenter says.

AAA’s 2017 Roadside Calls over Memorial Day Weekend (Greater Hartford)

• More than 1600 tow calls
• Almost 700 battery calls
• More than 500 calls from drivers who had locked themselves out of their cars – note: more calls for lockouts than for flat tires.
• Almost 500 calls for tire troubles
• More than 50 drivers who had run out of gas

Before Hitting the Road, here are 10 Car Care Tips from AAA:

• Check pressure of all tires – don’t forget to check the spare – if you have one!
• Check tire tread – Exchange.AAA.com offers a simple visual check using a penny or a quarter
• Check battery is in good working order (most batteries last 3-5 years); a AAA Approved Repair facility will do this for FREE
• Check air conditioning
• Check windshield wipers to make sure they are in good working order
• Check fluids
• Check headlights for functionality and clean lenses
• Make sure your cell phone is fully charged so you can call for help if needed
• Make sure your AAA membership is up to date
• Stock a Summer Emergency Kit with: jumper cables, tools, first aid supplies, flashlight with fresh batteries, road flare or reflective triangle, extra medications, snacks, water

Download the AAA Mobile app before Memorial Day road trips

Members can download the AAA Mobile app, visit AAA.com or call 1-800-AAA-HELP to request roadside assistance.

Follow us on Twitter: @AAAHartfordNews

CT Mailing Address:
815 Farmington Avenue
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.