More than 2,200 calls for help every day

RACQ’s 2019 Roadside Assistance figures showed the Club received more than 800,000 call outs for help, with battery issues, flat tyres and lock outs the most common cause of incident.

RACQ spokesperson Lauren Ritchie said patrols were called to rescue more than 2,240 children, adults and animals locked inside cars.

“It’s hard to fathom but in Queensland we rescue on average three children and one pet every day of the year trapped inside hot cars,” Ms Ritchie said.

“It can take just seven minutes for the inside of a car to reach more than 40 degrees, which can cause significant injury to anyone trapped inside.”

Ms Ritchie said RACQ received more than 314,700 calls for vehicles with battery problems, almost 70,000 calls for flat tyres and 40,000 rescues for people who locked their keys in the car.

“Flat batteries or issues with car batteries in general is the number one reason we get called out to breakdowns on the side of the road,” she said.

“While vehicles are becoming safer and more reliable, we still have breakdowns and Queenslanders still need our help to get back on the road. We’re proud to say we get 93 percent of cars going again and maintain the world-standard in roadside assistance.

“With more than 100 calls per day to get keys out of cars, we’re asking Queenslanders to make a New Year’s resolution to keep their keys safe and in sight.”

Ms Ritchie said the Club expected to receive just as many calls for help again in 2020.

“From Cairns to Coolangatta and out west, our patrol and tow truck teams are always ready and willing to go to the rescue.”