INDIANAPOLIS -
A dangerous situation is developing on local highways as emergency crews deal with a big increase of cars breaking down. The heat is leaving many motorists stranded on the side of the road.
In the height of rush hour, in record-breaking heat, Jacob Trivett is stuck on the side of the highway with an overheating car.
"I was driving and I was lucky to see it, because it would have ruined the motor if I would have went any farther," Trivett explained.
It's bad enough to be stuck there in good weather, but in 100-plus degree temperatures, he says, is nearly unbearable. It's a sweltering scene repeated over and over on Indiana interstates: flashers on, cars broken down and drivers out in the heat.
Brad Lux blew a tire Friday afternoon - shredded it, actually - on I-465.
"I was going to Bloomington, have to be at work in about an hour. I won't make it now, obviously," Lux said. "It's very frustrating indeed."
Stranded motorists assisted by Hoosier Helpers, a roadside assistance service sponsored by State Farm, nearly doubled since the heat wave began. They assisted 1,012 motorists in the first half of June and 1,827 motorists in the second half.
INDOT says extreme temperatures have a direct correlation to more breakdowns on the highway.
A lot of those stranded cars end up in the repair shop. In fact, Beck Service Center on the city's south side has a 35-40 car backlog because of all the vehicle problems from the heat.
"Yes, we are very busy," said Beck Service Center president Ben Stallings.
The top three problems in hot temperatures include overheated radiators, alternators and batteries going bad, and blown tires.
"With as hot as it is, the pavement temperatures are running 125, 130 degrees or more, so it's very important we keep our tire pressure where it should be on a tire," Stallings said.
Experts say before you head out on the highway, you should also make sure you're vehicle is topped off on coolant, check your battery for signs of corrosion and get it tested if it's three or four years old.
"Obviously, 100-degree weather puts a little bit more pressure on a car than 85- or 90- degree weather does, so it's important to check these things," Stallings said.
Without prevention, you could end up stuck on a hot highway, too.
The heat is leading to more stranded cars, which causes problems for those drivers.
Ben Stallings says his service station has dealt with more car problems.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and WTHR. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
