WASHINGTON, D. C. (Friday, May 25, 2018) –– Like the cavalry riding to the rescue in the final reel, responders from AAA Emergency Roadside Assistance will engage in an all-out effort to rescue 51,000 motorists across the region hoping for relief from holiday road trips interrupted by car troubles. Battery boost? Towing?  Emergency fuel?  Remarkably, more than 340,000 motorists will be rescued by AAA from coast to coast this holiday weekend after becoming hobbled or stranded on the roadside by a foreseen and unforeseen miasmas of vehicle woes. It is a task well-suited for AAA rescuers. 

The Memorial Day holiday weekend is universally recognized as the “official kick off” to the “unofficial first weekend of summer.” An estimated 36.6 million Americans will drive to their favorite vacation spots this holiday weekend. In addition, 938,800 Washingtonians, 793,000 Marylanders, and 1,036,100 Virginia residents, are setting off on road trips for Memorial Day. AAA rescuers will keep watch. Before heading out, drivers should make sure their vehicles are ready for the summer roads ahead.

AAA’s call centers are the first point of contact for emergency roadside situations. This Memorial Day holiday weekend, the switchboard at AAA Emergency Roadside Assistance network will be inundated by 50,000 S.O.S. calls emanating from distressed and stranded motorists in the Mid-Atlantic area. The motor club’s footprint includes Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Dead batteries, lockouts and flat tires will be the foremost reasons AAA members will experience car trouble.

During the Memorial Day travel period in 2017, including the day after Memorial Day, AAA rescued nearly 1,160 drivers in Washington, D.C., over 8,500 in Maryland and 6,300 in Virginia. The day after Memorial Day is the highest call volume day. Travelers hailing from the Washington metro area are advised to have their vehicles inspected by trusted repair shops, including AAA Car Care Centers. 

“Given the increased number of people traveling during the Memorial Day weekend and the expected increased travel times, it is crucial for travelers to be prepared for emergencies,” warns Bruce Jenkins, Manager, Roadside Assistance Fleet, AAA Mid-Atlantic. “In weal and woe, on good days and bad days, drivers should prepare for any eventuality and carry a mobile phone and car charger, a flashlight with extra batteries, a first-aid kit, a basic toolkit, and drinking water and snacks for all passengers and pets.”

As 64 percent of family travelers gear up for a road trip this summer, AAA warns that the majority of U.S. vehicles are at a higher-than-average risk for a breakdown. A new analysis of AAA roadside data shows that vehicles 10 years and older are twice as likely to end up stranded on the side of the road compared to newer vehicles, and, on top of that, the odds of needing a tow quadruples.

“With more than half of cars on the road aged 10 years or older, motorists can minimize the chance of a breakdown by getting their vehicle road-trip ready to keep their summer travel on track,” explained James Moore, Manager, AAA Mid-Atlantic Car Care Center. “All vehicles – even the newest ones – are prone to typical roadside headaches like dead batteries, flat tires and misplaced keys, but vehicles 10 years and older are four times more likely to encounter a problem serious enough to require a tow to a repair facility.”

It’s no surprise that older vehicles are more likely to encounter a serious breakdown, but it is surprising just how many people are at risk, notes AAA. So, make a good B-E-T to stay on the road this summer by having your Battery tested, looking for Engine coolant leaks and checking Tire condition.

• Battery-related issues, including faulty starters or alternators. A battery on the brink of dying rarely warns a driver before it fails, but having a simple battery test will. Through the mobile battery program, AAA offers its members free testing of a vehicle’s battery and electrical system.
• Engine cooling system failures, such as the radiator, thermostat or water pump or engine parts such as the timing belt, most prominently in vehicles age 10 years and older. Much like a battery, the components of the engine cooling system may fail without warning. Drivers should look for fluids such as coolant pooling underneath the vehicle when it is parked as an indication of an impending problem.
• Tire damage severe enough to require repair or replacement. Drivers can minimize this risk by checking tread depth, tire pressure and whether their vehicle is equipped with a spare tire.

AAA offers the following tips to help avoid common roadside problems:

• Schedule a checkup. Take your vehicle to a trusted repair facility to perform any needed maintenance before heading out. Oil changes, fluid level checks, battery tests and tire inspections go a long way toward reducing the chances of a breakdown. AAA’s Mobile Battery Service offers free battery testing for AAA members.
• Pack an emergency kit. Every vehicle should be equipped with a well-stocked emergency kit that includes a mobile phone and car charger, a flashlight with extra batteries, a first-aid kit, a basic toolkit with tire pressure gauge and adjustable wrench, windshield washer solution, jumper cables and emergency flares or reflectors, drinking water, extra snacks and food for travelers and pets.
• Prevent lockouts. Always take keys when exiting the car and bring a spare car key on every trip. Avoid exposing keyless-entry remote or smart keys to water and always replace the key or fob battery when recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

Additionally, AAA reminds drivers to take the following safety precautions on the road:

• Drive distraction-free. Do not text or engage in distracting activities while driving, including interacting with a cell phone, talking with passengers or looking at other objects in the vehicle.
• Comply with Move Over Laws. Observe the Move Over Law when law enforcement or emergency vehicles are on the side of the road. Change lanes or slow down to give sufficient clearance. This is the law in all 50 states.
• Pull out of the traffic lanes if your car breaks down. If faced with a vehicle emergency, safely steer your car off the roadway. Turn on the emergency flashers to alert other drivers and exit the vehicle on the side facing away from traffic if possible. Once everyone is in a safe location, request assistance from a road service provider.

AAA recommends motorists have their vehicles inspected by a trusted repair shop, 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. Members can download the AAA Mobile app, visit AAA.com or call 1-800-AAA-HELP to request roadside assistance.

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AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 57 million members nationwide and nearly 78,000 members in the District of Columbia.  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  https://aaa.com