Help for Lost Drivers is Just a Phone Call Away

31 August 2000

Help for Lost Drivers is Just a Phone Call Away; Carclub.com's 'Help, I'm Lost' Service Gets Drivers Without GPS Back on Track

    SAN FRANCISCO--Aug. 31, 2000--If you've never been lost, or never will be, then "Help, I'm Lost" isn't for you. But for the rest of us, there's Carclub.com's "Help, I'm Lost," a 24-hour nationwide driving direction service staffed by live operators who can assist lost motorists.
    Very few of the more than 200 million cars on American roads today are equipped with global positioning systems or wireless Internet access, but 100 million Americans have cellular telephones.
    "Help, I'm Lost" is accessible from any telephone by dialing 1-800-CAR-CLUB. The service is free for members of Carclub.com, a division of J.D. Power Clubs.
    "Getting lost can and does happen to anyone -- regardless of how well a trip is planned," says Rod Starmer, chief operating officer of J.D. Power Clubs. "'Help, I'm Lost,' is a convenient, time-saving service. It is especially beneficial to drivers who are lost at night and do not want to risk leaving the security of their vehicle in an unfamiliar area."
    Carclub.com's "Help, I'm Lost" member service advocate will ask the caller's destination and for the caller's current location, such as street, highway or landmark. The operator will stay on the phone until the driver is back on track, giving step-by-step instructions.
    "A couple was trying to get to a convention and after stopping at gas stations and finding the directions confusing, they called 1-800-CAR-CLUB," said Carlos, a "Help, I'm Lost" member service advocate. "I found their present location and directed them to their destination, giving estimated driving time and distance."
    "One caller was lost and trying to find Niagara Falls, but it turned out he was 400 miles away," said Rick, also a "Help, I'm Lost" member service advocate. "We were able to give him directions."

    How It Works

    Dial 1-800-CAR-CLUB and follow the prompt to "Help, I'm Lost."
    The Carclub.com member service advocate will ask for your destination, then ask for the street or highway you are presently on, and any cross streets or addresses you might see.
    "Help, I'm Lost" is good throughout the United States. It's free to Carclub.com members but available to non-members for a nominal fee of $2.95. "Help, I'm Lost" is a service to assist drivers who are lost and need directions. It is not intended for life-threatening emergencies or trip planning.