Drivers seek help over key problems

22 February 2010

Green Flag technicians were called out to help more that 20,000 drivers with problems related to car keys last year, the company has said.

The most common reason for the these call-outs was keys locked inside vehicles, followed by jammed keys in the ignition barrels or locks of cars.

Incidents of broken or snapped keys were the highest in December as the weather turned icy, the group said.

Other key-related problems included lost or stolen keys.

Green Flag's Dan Robinson said: "Locking keys in the car is not only frustrating, it can be dangerous too. Young children can often find themselves inside the car with parents or guardians looking in, hoping they don't nudge the handbrake or get hurt.

"We prioritise any calls where children are at risk and our highly-skilled technicians are able to get into a car within a matter of minutes."

He said motorists can avoid having their keys snapped or broken by not trying to force them into the barrel if the lock is iced over or feels stiff.

Copyright © Press Association 2010