Los Angeles Motorists Give New Meaning to 'City of Angels'

With nearly 2,500 'Good Samaritan' calls, L.A. motorists help more fellow drivers than any other major metropolis

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Apr 12, 2011, 10:56 ET

DETROIT, April 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The bad news is that residents of Los Angeles County spend an estimated four days a year stuck in traffic. The good news is drivers are helping each other when they are in need. According to OnStar, the "City of Angels" ranked No. 1 in Good Samaritan calls last year, proving that L.A. drivers are living up to the city's nickname.

Using anonymous subscriber interaction data, OnStar found that of the 10 largest U.S. Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Los Angeles had the most Good Samaritan calls in 2010. A Good Samaritan call occurs when an OnStar subscriber uses his or her 365/24/7 live advisor access to report another motorist's problem on the road, whether it's a vehicle collision, flat tire or any other situation requiring immediate assistance.

Drivers in metro Los Angeles tallied 2,449 Good Samaritan calls, nearly 900 more calls than the next major metropolitan city, Chicago. The 2010 rankings for America's top 10 cities:

Los Angeles: 2,449
Chicago: 1,540
Houston: 1,299
Dallas: 1,113
New York: 957
Atlanta: 942
Philadelphia: 830
Boston: 638
Miami: 217
Washington, D.C.: 115

"Los Angeles residents deserve a huge pat on the back for their part in reporting actionable situations to our advisors, and ultimately helping to ensure many drivers' safety," said Terry Inch, director of Subscriber Services. "We're all familiar with the adage of helping one's neighbor, but L.A. has really taken that phrase to mean 'helping your fellow motorist.'"

OnStar subscribers are always a button push away from emergency assistance, and Good Samaritan calls allow them to use OnStar services to help others.

Since its 1996 launch, OnStar has been an in-vehicle lifeline for those in need. Using an embedded cellular system, GPS and a direct link to emergency medical and law enforcement agencies, live advisors can get the appropriate help needed to the scene, even if the vehicle involved doesn't have OnStar.

From helping to unlock a vehicle with a young child trapped inside to facilitating the rescue of a rattlesnake bite victim to helping a heart attack sufferer en route to dinner – OnStar advisors answer thousands of calls for help each day.

Now, motorists have another reason to push their OnStar button – the OnStar Push On Sweepstakes. Anyone with a digital OnStar-equipped vehicle – regardless of whether they are a current OnStar subscriber – can enter to win the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac vehicle of their choice by pressing the blue OnStar button in their vehicle now through May 31.*

To learn more about OnStar's Push On sweepstakes and for entry details, visit www.onstar.com.

About OnStar

OnStar, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors, is the leading provider of connected safety and security solutions, value-added mobility services and advanced information technology. Currently available on more than 40 MY 2011 GM models, OnStar soon will be available for installation on most other vehicles already on the road through local electronics retailers, including Best Buy. OnStar safely connects its more than six million subscribers, in the U.S., Canada and China, in ways never thought possible. OnStar Stolen Vehicle Slowdown is a recipient of the 2010 Edison Award for Best New Product in the technology category. More information about OnStar can be found at www.onstar.com.

* Maximum Vehicle Retail Value of all prizes: $1,566,810 USD/$1,557,957 CAD. No purchase necessary to enter or win.

SOURCE General Motors