CAA Manitoba has been busier than ever over this cold snap as many people around the province have forgotten to plug in their vehicle.
Spokesperson Nadia Matos says they are used to seeing about 350 calls per day. After the extreme cold hit, they received 398 calls on Friday, 483 on Saturday, 608 on Sunday, and 1489 on Monday. Most of the calls are due to battery-related issues.
"I think what a lot of people don't realize is the average car battery only lasts about three to five years because of all the increased demands that we're putting on the cars, and, as well, the extreme weather fluctuations," says Matos. "We have that extreme cold in the winter and those really hot days in the summer. That's something to keep in mind. Is your battery going to last through the winter months? And, as we can see with these calls, they may not last."
Matos knows with how busy it has been, some people have had to wait longer than usual. They understand the frustration and hope you will be forgiving. They are working as quickly as they can.
"We are making sure that people who are stuck on the side of the road are safe, and we are triaging those people first," says Matos. "So, if you're warm and you're at home and you're safe, we understand it could be frustrating, but we're trying to get to people who are in unsafe situations."
CAA wants to remind you to ensure you have an emergency kit ready to go, in case you are stuck on the side of the road. They expect to remain busy throughout the week.
Environment Canada is calling for a return to above normal temperatures by Saturday, when the mercury is expected to climb to -5 degrees.