Do you know what to do when your car sputters and finally dies?

This year, AAA expects to respond to approximately 28 million calls for road service from a membership of more than 45 million car owners. In addition, another 40 million calls for road service will be made this year by other car owners, AAA estimates.

To educate motorists on steps to take when car trouble occurs, a select group of tow truck operators recently recognized by AAA as "Highway Heroes" offers these tips:

• Know before you go. Make sure your vehicle is inspected and maintained by a qualified technician at least annually and before any long-distance trip.
• Stay alert to your location at all times. The ability to accurately describe where your vehicle is, including the name or number of the road and an easily recognized landmark, is one of the keys to speedy rescue and recovery.
• Beware of hazards to yourself and other drivers. Turn on your vehicle's flashing emergency lights and get your vehicle as far off the road as safety permits. Watch out for oncoming traffic and use flares or reflecting emergency triangles to alert other drivers to the presence of your vehicle.
• Know how to summon help safely. A cellular telephone is a necessity for every motorist. The ability to quickly contact your motor club, law enforcement authorities or emergency medical personnel is critical to staying secure on the roadway.
• Remain calm and keep a clear head. The overwhelming majority of all road service situations are easily handled by professional drivers with the right equipment. AAA's tow truck operators pride themselves on providing quick and reliable member services.

AAA's Highway Heroes for 2002 are: John Tannola, owner of Sunshine Automotive, St. Petersburg, Fla.; Carson Thompson, owner of Bluewater Towing in Sarnia, Ontario; Jeff Critchlow, owner of Jeff Critchlow Auto Body in Glenshaw, Pa.; Harry Baddon and Susan Katsumoto, owners of A & B Towing in Costa Mesa, Calif.; and Kevin Davis, owner of Davis Towing, Hyannis, Mass.

To learn more about what to do in case of an automobile breakdown, visit www.aaa.com.

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