AAA Says Summer Expected to Bring 7.5 Million Calls for Roadside Assistance

ORLANDO, Fla.--May 2, 20047, 2004--AAA, the leading provider of automotive services to North American vehicle owners, is projecting more than 7.5 million motorists will experience a vehicle breakdown during June, July and August this year.

AAA said its emergency road service forecast for the summer driving season is up 1.4 percent from last year's projection of 7.4 million breakdowns. In June, July and August of last year, AAA responded to 7.476 million breakdowns.

This summer, AAA-affiliated service personnel are expected to tow approximately 3.6 million cars and trucks; boost 1.3 million batteries; unlock 1.2 million vehicle doors; change 950,000 flat tires; provide fuel to 110,000 motorists that run out of gas; and extricate 60,000 stuck vehicles. Another 330,000 motorists are anticipated to require miscellaneous roadside assistance from AAA.

"Vehicle breakdowns remain a common occurrence despite improvements in new car quality," said Marshall L. Doney, vice president of AAA Automotive. "Even expensive and well-engineered vehicles will fail their owners, if they are not competently and regularly maintained by trained technicians. And, because roadside problems have the potential of occurring during much-anticipated summer vacations, AAA strongly recommends motorists have their vehicles inspected by a qualified repair facility before they take a long-distance drive."

AAA has a nationwide network of independently inspected and approved repair facilities that can perform thorough vehicle maintenance checks for members and other motorists. The AAA Approved Auto Repair network consists of thousands of independently-owned shops, car dealerships and franchised repair facilities. Each of these businesses have met AAA's stringent criteria for customer satisfaction, technician training, service equipment and tools, warranties, and quality replacement parts.

Approved Auto Repair shops are required to prominently display their affiliation with AAA, and also can be located by visiting www.aaa.com on the Internet, searching telephone directories, or by calling local AAA clubs.

In many areas of the United States and Canada, AAA also is offering a mobile battery testing and replacement service at the scene of vehicle disablement. This innovative service can quickly detect and diagnose starting problems and install a new vehicle battery, if needed and requested by the motorist. For information on AAA Battery Service availability, consumers should visit www.aaa.com, or call their local AAA club.

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 47 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.

AAA news releases are available from http://www.aaa.com/news