Cheap driver doesn't want to pay for a tow


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fred666: Selfish insensitive people make me mad

Jun. 7, 2005. 07:38 AM

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

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.

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentSe...id=968332188492

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Good thing my dad no longer jumps onto the 401 to take me to school. I'd lift up both fingers at that guy if I see him on the highway.

So this is what happens - a man benefits off a free tow, while he delays thousands of ****ed off people. If this was a society that really delivered justice, he should get more than the $110 fine for interference - he should reimburse everyone for lost time.

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