Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.
"Even if you have an emergency, it's never a good idea to stop on the highway," points out David Marcille, Montreal spokesperson for CAA-Quebec. "It's way too dangerous...It's pretty scary to have all these cars coming 100 kilometres per hour fast next to you."
Early Thursday morning, a man in his 30s was killed after pulling over to change a flat tire on the Gédéon-Ouimet Bridge, which links Laval to Boisbriand north of Montreal.
"A pick-up truck hit him before leaving the scene," said Elizabeth Marquis-Guy, a spokesperson with the Sûreté du Québec (SQ).
CAA-Quebec explains it's actually illegal for an individual to stop on a highway.
So, what should you do if you find yourself with a flat?
According to CAA-Quebec, anyone who gets a flat on a highway should always try to drive until the next exit.
"If you can't make it because your flat is too big or whatever reason, the best is to go the furthest possible to the shoulder on the right as far as you can from the traffic," said Marcille. "Do not step out of your car."
He points out that people should:
- Turn on their hazard lights;
- dial 911;
- and wait for an emergency vehicle.
"[If] you still consider this situation to be too dangerous, you can get out of your vehicle using the passenger door to walk away as far as possible to really get far from the traffic," he said.
Marcille notes people can also remotely open the hood of their car to alert people to their situation.
"When you have an emergency situation on the highway, sometimes you have to make tough decisions," said Marcille. "For instance, do I keep driving, damaging even more my tires? The answer is yes."
Marcille points out that the most common causes of serious collisions are distracted driving and speeding.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Robert Pickton stabbed with toothbrush and broken broom handle: victim's family
The family of one of Robert Pickton's victims says the convicted serial killer suffered an incredibly violent death at the hands of another inmate.
Tick season is underway in Ontario. Here's how to protect yourself
Tick season is well underway and there is a new species of ticks causing new diseases, which is why you need to take steps to protect yourself.
'It feels like freedom': Why some Albertans like going nude in nature
Few people can say they accidentally purchased a nude beach — but Shelley can. When she saw a piece of land she could fondly remember camping on was up for sale, she inquired about it and ended up purchasing it. She soon found that there were already inhabitants on it.
Five things to know about the NHL playoffs
The Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers are both one win away from advancing to the Stanley Cup final.
Is intermittent fasting better than counting calories? Maybe not, but you might stick with it
As weight-loss plans go, it's easy to see the allure of intermittent fasting: Eat what you want, but only during certain windows of time — often just eight hours a day.
Daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt files court petition to remove father's last name
A daughter of actors Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt filed paperwork to legally remove "Pitt" from her name on the day she turned 18.
Father who killed one-year-old son with axe may be allowed to travel in southwestern Ontario
A Mennonite father who killed his one-year-old son with an axe may be allowed to travel to parts of southern Ontario in the coming months
Two celestial shows will be visible across Canada this week
Canada is getting not one – but two – celestial shows over the next few days. Keep an eye on the sky for the northern lights and parade of planets!
Israel maintains a shadowy hospital in the desert for Gaza detainees. Critics allege mistreatment
Patients lying shackled and blindfolded on more than a dozen beds inside a white tent in the desert. Surgeries performed without adequate painkillers. Doctors who remain anonymous.