AMA sees worst delay period in 100 years

If you’re looking for some help with your vehicle anytime soon, you may be waiting for a while.

Most of the province is seeing extreme delays from AMA for getting a tow, a battery boost, flat tire repair, or fuel delivery.

AMA says between Jan. 9 and Jan. 17, they received over 49,000. Request for boosts were 33 times higher than normal.

“The past week [was] one of the worst prolonged periods in AMA’s nearly 100-year history in terms of sheer volume,” said AMA in a statement.

Jan. 12, marked the peak for requests. AMA say they received 9,000 requests within 24 hours.

“For AMA, the only change warmer weather brings is fewer layers of clothing for our operators, who’ve been working 10, 12, 14-hour shifts—even when temperatures were below -40°C,” said Brandon Klassen, spokesman for AMA.

“We’re grateful for everyone’s patience and understanding. If you’re one of the people still in need of assistance, please know we’re doing everything we can to get you moving again.”

AMA has provided the following tips to keep your car protected, and, hopefully, not require roadside assistance.

• Always carry an emergency kit to help ensure your safety in the event of an unexpected breakdown. This should include things like a blanket, warm clothing, caution triangles, a flashlight, gloves, and a folding shovel.
• Prior to driving, plug in your vehicle for at least four hours when the outdoor temperature is -15 C or below.
• Ensure tires are properly inflated, as most tires lose one pound per square inch for every 5 C drop in temperature.
• Ensure both front and rear lights are turned on. (Daytime running lights often just illuminate the front, providing a false sense of visibility.)
• If you have any doubts about your battery’s health, consider alternate transportation until a test is completed or new battery is installed.
• If your vehicle doesn’t have a block heater, switching to synthetic oil will help the engine turn over.
• Ensure your gas tank is at least half full and consider using gas-line antifreeze.
• While driving, scan the road ahead and maintain a safe following distance that allows for adjustments. When the roads are icy or snowy, this means four to six seconds.

Wait times across the province as of 3 p.m. on Jan. 18:

• Edmonton
  • 112 hours for a tow or winch
  • 96 hours for a battery boost, lockout, flat tire, or fuel delivery
  • 96 hours for a battery test or replacement
  • 4 hours for a key replacement
• Calgary
  • 96 hours for a tow or winch
  • 96 hours for a battery boost, lockout, flat tire, or fuel delivery
  • 96 hours for a battery test or replacement
  • 6 hours for a key replacement
• Red Deer
  • 24 hours for a battery boost, lockout, flat tire, or fuel delivery
  • 24 hours for a battery test or replacement
• Lethbridge
  • 24 hours for a tow or winch
  • 24 hours for a battery boost, lockout, flat tire, or fuel delivery
  • 24 hours for a battery test or replacement
  • 1.5 hours for a key replacement
• Fort McMurray
  • 48 hours for a tow or winch
  • 5 hours for a battery boost, lockout, flat tire, or fuel delivery
  • 5 hours for a battery test or replacement
  • 1.5 hours for a key replacement
• Medicine Hat
  • 24 hours for a tow or winch
  • 24 hours for a battery boost, lockout, flat tire, or fuel delivery
  • 24 hours for a battery test or replacement
  • 4 hours for a key replacement
• Lloydminster
  • 12 hours for a tow or winch
  • 2 hours for a battery boost, lockout, flat tire, or fuel delivery
• Banff
  • 2 hours for a tow or winch
  • 1 hour 10 minutes for a battery boost, lockout, flat tire, or fuel delivery
• Grande Prairie
  • 36 hours for a tow or winch
  • 14 hours for a battery boost, lockout, flat tire, or fuel delivery
• Jasper
  • 4 hours for a tow or winch