Bone-chilling temperatures spark hundreds of calls to CAA, bump wait times up to 6 hours

Vehicle batteries are dying in droves as frigidtemperatures linger throughout the province.

CAASaskatchewan has received hundreds of calls for help in the past few days. Spokesperson ChristineNiemczyksaidthat number willclimbasthe cold continues.

The roadside assistance businesshas offered tips for motorists on how to handle the extreme cold.

• People in Saskatoon braving the outdoors despite extreme cold

There were 554 calls toCAAfor roadside assistance in Saskatoonbetween Dec.25to the morning of Dec.27. About 400 calls were for battery assists and boosts. Similarly, in Regina, there were 400 calls, with the majority also for battery issues.

The calls created a four- to six-hour wait for roadside help in the major cities, and a one-hour wait in places like Yorkton and Prince Albert.

Stranded people prioritized

CAA Saskatchewan will prioritize stranded people who need immediate help and have no solution to get their car started.

"There is a difference between an emergency versus 'I need to get to the mall, or I need to get to a movie, or I need to get to work,' " she said.

"Those are situations of concern, but they're not emergency-related as in a stranded motorist typically on a highway."

People in the city should plug intheir cars, she said.

"The battery is pretty much our lifeline to our vehicle and we are relying on it."

However, Niemczyk recommends starting the car often and letting it run if a plug in is not available.

"Drive it around the block. What you want to do is keep the fluids flowing within your vehicle. Warm it up. That's very crucial."

Heading home for the holidays?

Niemczykadvises all people to take extra time to account for both the weather and an increase in traffic caused by the holiday season.

She shared more tips for people heading out on the road:

• Do plug in vehicle whenever possible
• Do makesure the cord isn't frayed and that the power source works
• Do check the battery before you go
• Don't let the fuel tank gobelow half
• Don't detour stay on maintained, busyhighways rather than taking less-travelledgrid roads
• Don't forget to let people know your travel plans

Is your vehicle winter-road worthy?

Niemczyk said it's important people ensuretheir vehicle is winter-road worthy, adding alldrivers should become familiar with the mechanics of their car and read the manual before getting behind the wheel.

That means people should be familiar with parts as simple as the block heater and the cord. Driversshould check things such astheir fluids, defroster, electronics and seatbelts, she said.

Niemczykalsorecommends people travel with an emergency kit that includes:

• A heat source such asmatches or candles
• Blankets
• Extra clothing and footwear
• A phone and a charger
• Drinking water and non-perishable food
• Jumper cables

Lastly, Niemczyk remindsdrivers to slow down to 60 km/h when passing tow trucks on the side of the highway.

"They want to get home to their families, as well," she said.