CAR HELP NEEDED: It was Terje Helgerud’s Toyota RAV4 that got into trouble at Ski storsenter on Saturday. Photo: Private
The car recovery companies cannot visit everyone who is struggling in the freezing cold. – We have to make some brutal priorities, says Viking.
Published:
Less than 20 minutes ago
Updated just now
- Several motorists in trouble say that they have waited for several hours to get help from the car towing companies.
- The general manager at Viking Rescue Service Oslo apologizes to those who have to wait a long time for help.
- NAF says it was a completely extreme situation on Saturday and asks people to be careful to avoid light driving, as well as maintenance charge the car battery.
Sea view
Terje Helgerud says that he and his roommate drove from Langhus to Ski with a Toyota RAV4 hybrid car on Saturday morning.
– We were going to shop at Ski storsenter, and it was freezing cold, he says to VG.
Eastern Norway is currently being hit by a cold wave, which meant that many cold records were broken on the night of Saturday.
– I noticed early on that there was something strange about the car. Usually it quickly switches to the petrol engine when it’s cold, but today it only ran on electricity at the start, says Helgerud.
But when the shopping trip at Ski storsenter was finished, the car would not start, according to Helgerud. He says that error messages appeared and that the car practically ran out of power.
He says that he called the car salvage company Viking.
– I wasn’t sure how long I would have to sit there and wait, but on Viking’s website it says that you should get help within one hour, he says.
An hour later, he tried to call them again, but hung up after waiting for four minutes without getting an answer, he says.
– Very frustrated
After waiting for a while, Helgerud left – without the car.
When he got in touch with Viking on the phone a couple of hours later, they told him that there was a long wait for salvage, he says.
– They said that there were problems all over Eastern Norway, and that I might be able to get help tonight, but that I would probably have to wait until tomorrow.
GOT PROBLEMS: Terje Helgerud had trouble with his car on Saturday. Photo: Private
Helgerud spoke to VG late Saturday afternoon.
– I am very frustrated. Now everything is out of the blue and I don’t know when my car will be picked up. I also don’t know if I will have to pay for parking. I have sent an e-mail to the parking company and hope that they can show understanding of the situation.
Viking: – Have to make some brutal priorities
General manager Fredrik Jørgensen at Viking Rescue Service Oslo apologizes and says they try to help everyone as soon as they can.
– We must provide help within one hour, and on normal days we are often faster than that. But as a result of the cold wave in Eastern Norway, we have had an extreme influx of calls from people who need help, he tells VG.
Jørgensen says that all their vehicles are out on the road around the clock.
– As a result, we have to make some brutal priorities, and then we always prioritize life and health first, he says.
– This means that those who stand along the motorway in temperatures of up to 30 degrees below zero, perhaps even poorly dressed, get help before those who experience starting difficulties at home. In any case, I understand that it is frustrating for those who have been waiting for us today.
He advises people to take warm winter clothes with them when driving in the cold wave in Eastern Norway. This in case the car stops.
– In addition, it is important to ensure that you have sufficient power on the electric car, since the battery drains quickly in such cold weather. On cars in general, you should preferably charge the starter battery with a battery charger, as this also drains quickly on cold days, especially if you only drive short trips.
NAF: – Just to be sorry
VG has spoken to another with car trouble in Eastern Norway who says that he waited for over five hours before he finally got help from the Norwegian Automobile Association (NAF) on Saturday evening.
– It has been a completely extreme situation with extraordinary traffic today due to the cold. We staffed up in advance, but can only apologize to those who have waited extra long today, says press manager Ingunn Handagard in NAF to VG.
– What do you think that VG has spoken to someone who says he waited for over five hours?
– It’s just to be sorry. We want to be faster on the spot and convey good information along the way, and I understand that five hours in this cold is perceived as a long wait. It shouldn’t be like this, says Handagard.
SORRY: Press manager Ingunn Handagard in NAF shares advice on how to avoid challenges in the days ahead. Photo: NAF
NAF’s advice
Handagard also shares some advice on how to avoid challenges in the days ahead.
– Fortunately, it is rare that you experience such extreme cold here in Eastern Norway, but this means that many people do not know how big an impact the cold has on the cars, she says and continues:
– In the coming days, people should take care to avoid light driving, as well as maintenance charge the car battery. This is because such light driving drains the battery very quickly, especially electric car batteries. In addition, it is good advice to preheat the cars for those who have the opportunity to do so.
Published:
Published: 06.01.24 at 23:42
Updated: 06.01.24 at 23:57
2024-01-06 22:42:03
#Car #recovery #companies #apologize #motorists #wait #freezing #cold #Extreme #situation
