Article from the Star ... Dumb ass driver
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Article from the Star ... Dumb *** driver
Driver charged after 401 flat
Driver dithered over moving car
Police lay charge of impeding traffic
KEVIN MCGRAN
TRANSPORTATION REPORTER
A 25-year-old man has been charged with interfering with traffic when he refused to allow his car to be towed after his Volkswagen Corrado broke down yesterday morning on the busiest part of Highway 401.
The motorist said he didn't trust the tow truck operators who stopped to help and preferred to call the Canadian Automobile Association.
But his flat tire caused an hour-long delay, backing up traffic from Highway 400 to Warden Ave. in the westbound lanes of the 401.
Police say they were angered at the man's insistence on waiting for a flatbed, as opposed to a regular tow truck, alleging it was a ruse to buy time to allow a free tow from the CAA to arrive.
The interference charge under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act carries a maximum fine of $110.
"The economic fallout of having 40,000 to 50,000 people late for work by an hour is huge," said OPP Sgt. Rob Kobayashi. "It far outweighs the cost (to) this motorist."
The car broke down around 8:30 a.m., at a point where the 401 was down to three lanes with no shoulders due to construction.
The car's tire couldn't be removed because it was outfitted with special wheel locks on the rim and the bolt needed to remove them was left at home, police said.
A regular "wheel-lift" tow truck was ready to carry the Volkswagen almost immediately, but the man pleaded with an OPP officer for a flatbed truck instead.
Police said the man argued his modified vehicle, with skirting and fender flares, would be ruined by a regular tow, which would have cost the man up to $150.
The officer agreed and called for a flatbed, but it took about an hour to navigate through traffic. The man, who asked that his name not be used, called CAA on his own. He first asked the CAA for a flatbed, then called back and asked for a regular tow.
`After one hour, 20 minutes, the guy ends up using the wheel-lift truck. It became quite clear he wanted the free tow as opposed to having to pay for it'
OPP Sgt. Rob Kobayashi
While the man and police waited and traffic continued to snarl further east, more tow trucks passed by, all telling the man his car would be safe with them.
But, police said, he insisted on waiting for a flatbed because he was worried about further damage to his car.
"Would you trust a 19-year-old tow truck driver that would not give you a straight answer on who's liable and who's not?" said the man. "I went with my reputable brand name, the CAA, the people I spend money on."
The man said he didn't know that the CAA, which offers free towing as part of its membership, would reimburse its members the cost of towing if a car breaks down on the 401 and the police order it off the road.
The CAA's regular tow truck got there at the same time as the police-ordered flatbed. The man took the free tow from a regular tow truck, the kind he had refused earlier.
"After one hour, 20 minutes, the guy ends up using the wheel-lift truck. It became quite clear he wanted the free tow as opposed to having to pay for it," said Kobayashi.
"When the CAA driver showed up with conventional wheel-lift, that's what he took. One just like it had been there an hour before. That's why the officer laid the interference charge."
The man said he felt he had no other choice than to act the way he did.
"Put yourself in my shoes," the man said. "A flat tire on a Monday morning, late for work, having no option of a shoulder.
"I'm on the 401 every day and I'm delayed every day over something — a spilled truck, a stalled vehicle — and I'm irate at that moment.
"But I haven't put myself in that person's shoes to know what they would do. I was inside that person's shoes today and I'm stuck with no other options," he said.
Driver dithered over moving car
Police lay charge of impeding traffic
KEVIN MCGRAN
TRANSPORTATION REPORTER
A 25-year-old man has been charged with interfering with traffic when he refused to allow his car to be towed after his Volkswagen Corrado broke down yesterday morning on the busiest part of Highway 401.
The motorist said he didn't trust the tow truck operators who stopped to help and preferred to call the Canadian Automobile Association.
But his flat tire caused an hour-long delay, backing up traffic from Highway 400 to Warden Ave. in the westbound lanes of the 401.
Police say they were angered at the man's insistence on waiting for a flatbed, as opposed to a regular tow truck, alleging it was a ruse to buy time to allow a free tow from the CAA to arrive.
The interference charge under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act carries a maximum fine of $110.
"The economic fallout of having 40,000 to 50,000 people late for work by an hour is huge," said OPP Sgt. Rob Kobayashi. "It far outweighs the cost (to) this motorist."
The car broke down around 8:30 a.m., at a point where the 401 was down to three lanes with no shoulders due to construction.
The car's tire couldn't be removed because it was outfitted with special wheel locks on the rim and the bolt needed to remove them was left at home, police said.
A regular "wheel-lift" tow truck was ready to carry the Volkswagen almost immediately, but the man pleaded with an OPP officer for a flatbed truck instead.
Police said the man argued his modified vehicle, with skirting and fender flares, would be ruined by a regular tow, which would have cost the man up to $150.
The officer agreed and called for a flatbed, but it took about an hour to navigate through traffic. The man, who asked that his name not be used, called CAA on his own. He first asked the CAA for a flatbed, then called back and asked for a regular tow.
`After one hour, 20 minutes, the guy ends up using the wheel-lift truck. It became quite clear he wanted the free tow as opposed to having to pay for it'
OPP Sgt. Rob Kobayashi
While the man and police waited and traffic continued to snarl further east, more tow trucks passed by, all telling the man his car would be safe with them.
But, police said, he insisted on waiting for a flatbed because he was worried about further damage to his car.
"Would you trust a 19-year-old tow truck driver that would not give you a straight answer on who's liable and who's not?" said the man. "I went with my reputable brand name, the CAA, the people I spend money on."
The man said he didn't know that the CAA, which offers free towing as part of its membership, would reimburse its members the cost of towing if a car breaks down on the 401 and the police order it off the road.
The CAA's regular tow truck got there at the same time as the police-ordered flatbed. The man took the free tow from a regular tow truck, the kind he had refused earlier.
"After one hour, 20 minutes, the guy ends up using the wheel-lift truck. It became quite clear he wanted the free tow as opposed to having to pay for it," said Kobayashi.
"When the CAA driver showed up with conventional wheel-lift, that's what he took. One just like it had been there an hour before. That's why the officer laid the interference charge."
The man said he felt he had no other choice than to act the way he did.
"Put yourself in my shoes," the man said. "A flat tire on a Monday morning, late for work, having no option of a shoulder.
"I'm on the 401 every day and I'm delayed every day over something — a spilled truck, a stalled vehicle — and I'm irate at that moment.
"But I haven't put myself in that person's shoes to know what they would do. I was inside that person's shoes today and I'm stuck with no other options," he said.
I'd want the free tow too!...but the cop should have told him they'd reimburse the tow...but if it was gonna damage my car I'd definately wait for a flatbed...i could care less about who's late for work cause like he said there's always somthing that's gonna hold you up!!
I remember when my old GTI broke down, and a tow truck came to pick it up. It wasn't a flatbed, and as I watched him drive away, every bump he hit, you could hear my exhaust scrape against the ground.
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If it was just a flat tire, why didn't he at least drive it slowly until he reached a place where he could pull over without blocking traffic. 
IMO, he got what he deserved.
IMO, he got what he deserved.
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Originally Posted by mexinaction
i dont know, i wouldn't want my car to get jacked up in the process but it never mentioned that his car got ruined after having it towed.
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I would never drive any further then I had to on a flat tire... The last thing I'd do is mess up my rim or even destroy a tire that could possibly been fixed with just a simple plug.
But anyways, I would have done the same thing... I would have waited for a flat bed. My car is way to low to just be towed away with a regular tow truck....
But anyways, I would have done the same thing... I would have waited for a flat bed. My car is way to low to just be towed away with a regular tow truck....
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Originally Posted by R1Style
I would never drive any further then I had to on a flat tire... The last thing I'd do is mess up my rim or even destroy a tire that could possibly been fixed with just a simple plug.
But anyways, I would have done the same thing... I would have waited for a flat bed. My car is way to low to just be towed away with a regular tow truck....
But anyways, I would have done the same thing... I would have waited for a flat bed. My car is way to low to just be towed away with a regular tow truck....
Do us a favor and stay in London then ...
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Rep Power: 564 that's messed up...most hook style tow trucks have the dolly to stick under the rear end of the car..that would keep it from rubbing.
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Originally Posted by 03Eclipse
Do us a favor and stay in London then ...
So you're telling me if there was a chance the tow truck could fvck up your car when they towed it... you'd let them tow your car?
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Originally Posted by 03Eclipse
Then maybe he should have thought to bring the key for his rims .... If I was the cop, I would have made him take the tow ...
I'll admit this motorist was definitely moronic for tying up traffic that long and not taking the flat-bed truck when it arrived, but I can understand his desires not to want to drive on a flat. Also, don't know how far it would be till the next shoulder/exit so might not be tempting to undertake as well..
Still .. definitely
at the motorist and he definitely 
thousands of workers commuting in with his antics. 
Vic's almost done... thats sorta depressing...
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Rep Power: 379 first off, I do and dont see the point of the guy, why the hell would I pay for a tow when I am paying for a service that handles this sort of thing... the guy on the other hand is a dumbass for not knowing that his coverage handles these kind of situations w/ reimbursment(sp?) as for the concern about his car, HE ENDID UP TAKING THE NORMAL STYLE TRUCK... so obviously he was not to concerned... he just wanted his tow for free, which is understandable, he just needs to be better informed...
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Originally Posted by R1Style
Do me a favour and lick my ballz
So you're telling me if there was a chance the tow truck could fvck up your car when they towed it... you'd let them tow your car?
So you're telling me if there was a chance the tow truck could fvck up your car when they towed it... you'd let them tow your car?
Originally Posted by 03Eclipse
No retard, I would be smart enough to keep the key to my rims in my locked glove compartment so I wouldn't be in that situation and I could change my own tire ... but that might be beyond your comprehention
it sucks that traffic got held up...but it happens. and if i had to choose between holding up traffic or screwing up my ride, sorry...but traffic gets held up.
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Originally Posted by 03Eclipse
No retard, I would be smart enough to keep the key to my rims in my locked glove compartment so I wouldn't be in that situation and I could change my own tire ... but that might be beyond your comprehention
If a thief wants your rims and sees you have a locking glove compartment, the first thing they're gonna do is break in to your car and pry that open even if the key is sitting on your back seat in the open... My advice is leave your key in another place in your car and keep your glove unlocked. Cuz a locking glove department is in no way a deterrent... they'll rip your glove out, thieves arent gonna care to keep your car clean, they are thieves! Might as well leave it unlocked so they dont ruin your glove compartment/dash to find nothing... Ive actually seen the aftermath of a key being in a locked glove compartment, its not a pretty sight...
Just my $0.02
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Originally Posted by 03Eclipse
No retard, I would be smart enough to keep the key to my rims in my locked glove compartment so I wouldn't be in that situation and I could change my own tire ... but that might be beyond your comprehention
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Originally Posted by Premium Plus
well what if it was something else then? what if it wasnt a tire? what if it was a CV joint? what if you were in some situation where you couldnt fix it right there and you needed a tow truck?
it sucks that traffic got held up...but it happens. and if i had to choose between holding up traffic or screwing up my ride, sorry...but traffic gets held up.
it sucks that traffic got held up...but it happens. and if i had to choose between holding up traffic or screwing up my ride, sorry...but traffic gets held up.
Yes, it's an Acura EL
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Rep Power: 368 Free or not, I prefer to have a flatbed. But when it comes down to it (and I HAVE been asked this question before), I'd just take the rear bumper off, throw it in the backseat/trunk, and have a regular tow truck take me away. Screw the exhaust, it'll be amusing to see the sparks flying down the highway.
Originally Posted by 03Eclipse
Fact is it was a tire, not a CV joint ... and he didn't want to ruin "his ride" he wanted the free tow ... read the article
and article aside...my question was what would you do? aside from the ingenius move of leaving your rim key in the inpenetrable fortress of security that is your glove box...that one always fools rim theives...what would you do in that situation if it wasnt a rim? you call denn a retard because he wouldnt want to ruin his ride...im curious to see the solution that you offer in a similar situation. if he's retarded for what he said...then please...show us the brilliant tactic you'd use to make everyone happy?
