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Road Service Call Volumes Increase, Says AAA Michigan

5 December 2000

Road Service Call Volumes Increase, Says AAA Michigan

    DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 5 The first dusting of the winter
season across southeast Michigan brought hundreds of calls from motorists for
Emergency Road Service (ERS), according to AAA Michigan.
    Between midnight Monday, (Dec. 4) and 10 a.m. today (Dec. 5), AAA Michigan
ERS trucks had helped 853 stranded motorists across Michigan.  A normal 24-
hour period averages 1,500 to 2,000 calls.
    The primary reasons for the calls are spinouts.
    Although road conditions have improved steadily, motorists should be sure
to follow these driving tips:

    * Accelerate slowly so wheels don't spin.
    * Anticipate traffic lights and potential dangers. Adjust your speed,
      increase stopping distance between cars and change lanes to avoid
      trouble.
    * Improve visibility by clearing snow and ice from the entire car.
    * Drive with headlights on low-beam.
    * Avoid hard braking.  The best technique is "threshold," or "squeeze"
      braking.  Apply the brakes firmly to a point just short of lock-up, then
      ease off the pedal slightly.  Steady pressure is better than pumping the
      brakes.  If your car has antilock brakes, apply continuous, firm
      pressure.
    * In a skid, ease off the accelerator and don't lock up the brakes.
      Carefully steer in the direction you want to go and straighten the wheel
      as soon as the car starts heading in the desired direction.
    * Carry a winter survival kit consisting of: a cellular phone; small bag
      of abrasive material such as sand, salt or cat litter for traction; a
      snow shovel; snow brush; traction mats; flashlight; booster cables,
      blanket and appropriate winter clothing, including boots.
    * If you become stranded, be sure to keep the exhaust tail pipe clear of
      snow.  Run the engine no longer than it takes to provide heat.