As the temperatures start climbing and motorists prepare to kick off the summer driving season, a new survey by AAA has found that 4 in 10 U.S. drivers are not ready to deal with typical roadside emergency breakdowns. The organization estimates that it will be called on to help some 7 million motorists get back on the road during the next several months, most suffering from dead batteries, flat tires or lockout situations.
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While some emergency situations are unavoidable, Cliff Ruud, AAA’s managing director of AAA Automotive, notes that a bit of preventive maintenance can go a long way towards eliminating issues well before they happen. “Having a disabled vehicle is a stressful and dangerous situation, which is why AAA urges drivers to stock an emergency kit, have their battery tested and inspect tires to make certain their cars are in road-ready condition.”
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In addition regularly checking all critical fluids in your vehicle, it’s a good idea to take it in for any necessary scheduled maintenance before setting out on a road trip. With respect to an onboard emergency pack, AAA recommends it contain some basic tools, a flashlight with extra batteries, jumper cables, flares and a tire pressure gauge as well as a mobile device charger, drinking water and a first aid kit.
