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Drivers are being warned not to accidentally lock their loved ones in the car as temperatures soar in the coming days, with new RAA data showing more than 600 had to be freed from vehicles in South Australia last year.
In 2024 RAA received 629 calls from motorists needing a child or pet to be freed from a locked vehicle – 287 of which were kids and 342 pets.
The vast majority of these incidents are accidental, with motorists inadvertently locking their keys in the vehicle or giving them to young children in the back seat and forgetting to take them back.
RAA has also seen examples of dogs stepping on the keys left on the centre console and locking themselves in the vehicle.
RAA Senior Traffic Engineer Matt Vertudaches warned drivers to always keep their keys with them, especially in hot weather, as the temperatures inside a car can reach more than double the outside temperature.
“When the weather is hot like it is this week, the temperature inside a locked car will climb to dangerous levels within minutes, and the consequences of leaving a loved one in there could be catastrophic,” Mr Vertudaches said.
“RAA tests have shown it takes less than half an hour for in-cabin temperatures to reach more than 80 degrees on a 40-degree day.
“Parking in the shade might slow this process down slightly, but temperatures will still reach dangerous levels very quickly.
“Never leave your child or pet in the car in hot weather as it only takes a few things to go wrong and the situation could get desperate.”
Mr Vertudaches urged drivers who found themselves in the situation to call RAA or emergency services immediately.
“RAA will prioritise jobs where a person or pet is locked in a vehicle and send two patrols out as soon as we can – and you don’t need to be a member.
“However, if you’re worried about the occupant being distressed or unsafe, call emergency services as they may be able to arrive faster with lights and sirens.”