CAA Manitoba sets service record due to cold

A bitterly cold week in the province has led to record-setting service numbers for CAA Manitoba.

The roadside assistance organization says Dec. 27 was their busiest day ever with more than 1,800 calls for service, four times more than they have received on that day historically.

RELATED: Extreme cold returns to Winnipeg

Driver Jeremy Goschke has been with CAA for four year and says breaks have been few and far between this week.

“Usually between calls, I have time for coffee. But none of that, just going from call to call,” he said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Usually between calls, I have time for coffee. But none of that, just going from call to call," he said.

Between Dec. 24-28, they completed 5,827 service calls.

The call volume is so high, CAA is giving members the option of contacting an alternate provider for service and submitting their receipt for reimbursement.

And the cold weather is expected to continue right up to the New Year.

RELATED: Staying warm in Winnipeg – the City shares where to go and what to do

According to CAA’s manager of community relations, there is one key way motorists can reduce their chances of needing a service call.

“The best thing people can do to ensure their New Year starts off smoothly is to plug in their vehicle at home and the office,” Liz Kulyk said. “It’s a small task that can make a big difference for your car and commute.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The best thing people can do to ensure their New Year starts off smoothly is to plug in their vehicle at home and the office," Liz Kulyk said. "It's a small task that can make a big difference for your car and commute."

No matter the temperature, Goschke enjoys lending a helping hand.

“I enjoy getting out there to go help people, the cold if you dress for it, is tolerable,” Goschke said. “The most part it’s nice, it’s worth it to get out there and get people running and see happy people back on the road.”

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