University of Georgia Parking Services and Transportation hosts the annual Operation Safe Drive event two days before the week-long Thanksgiving break. This is the sixth year for the event, and about 400 cars are serviced at the event each year.

 Why It’s Newsworthy: In 2017, 32 million people requested roadside assistance from AAA. These requests stranded 35 percent of people, and they had to be towed from the scene. People were stuck due to battery and related electrical systems issues, engine cooling system failures and tire damage that could not be replaced or damaged at the site. 

 

University of Georgia Parking Services and Transportation welcomed university students, faculty and staff at the Tate Student Center for a pre-holiday vehicle inspection on Thursday, November 15, 2018 in Athens, Georgia.

Mechanics from UGA Parking Services and Transportation as well as UGA Campus Transit completed vehicle inspections, refilled vehicle fluids, checked belts and wiper blades and pressurized tires free of charge for any students from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The inspectors warned the students and faculty of problems of more serious problems that would require a trip to a mechanic and performed services on vehicles to prevent breakdowns and problems.

The event also included inspections for students who ride bicycles to campus. The UGA Office of Sustainability partnered with the event to provide free bicycle safety inspections as well as small tune-ups.

Allison Brannen, the marketing and communications manager for auxiliary services at the University of Georgia, said that Transportation and Parking Services has been hosting this event for several years

“They this every year before the Thanksgiving holiday because they know that students, faculty and staff are about to get on the road and travel to see friends or family,” Brannen said. “It’s a way that they can give back to campus.”’

Celia Croxton, a student at the University of Georgia, decided to take her car to the event after a friend encouraged her to come. She said it is a great event because it allows students to get their cars checked for free.

“I just don’t know anything about cars, so I thought I better get it checked out,” Croxton said. “My tire pressure says that it is low, so it’s good to get that fixed.”

Brittany Stewart is a senior in the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication.