OPP are asking drivers to ensure their tires are fixed correctly, after a deadly crash on Hwy 401 earlier this week.
On Wednesday, a 39-year-old lady from Toronto was killed after a wheel flew off a van travelling westbound, leaped over the freeway barrier, and struck her SUV transferring within the eastbound lane. OPP say the SUV then made contact with a transport truck.
Police have but to find out how the tire got here free, however are urging drivers to ensure the identical factor doesn’t occur to them.
“Every year we do have incidents where wheels do become separated from vehicles,” OPP Freeway Security Division Sgt. Ted Dongelmans advised .
Ontario Provincial Police investigators are seen on the location of a deadly crash on the 401 close to Cambridge on Oct. 30, 2024. (Dan Lauckner/)
Swapping tires
Fowler Tire and Auto says it’s approaching the busy tire season, as drivers start swapping their summer season tires for a set of winters.
Proprietor, Chris Tsegas, says his store adjustments tires for as much as 50 autos per day. Every set is torqued twice, with a ultimate inspection earlier than giving the automotive again to the client.
Tsegas says every buyer is requested to deliver their car again to the store after round 100 km to have their tires retorqued without cost, however lower than 1 / 4 truly do.
“Probably about 20 per cent,” Tsegas mentioned. “Everybody’s busy, right?”
OPP say drivers are liable for torquing their tires property and skipping this step might put them at fault after a crash.
“Everybody does have liability in terms of insuring that the vehicles that they’re driving is safe,” Sgt. Dongelmans mentioned. “If you are negligent in ensuring that the vehicle that you are driving is safe, then there are potentially charges laid in those cases.”
Police say mechanics and auto outlets can be liable in the event that they fail to property set up and torque their shoppers’ tires.
Tsegas says clients are verbally requested to return for tires to be retorqued, with a reminder included on the invoice.
