Driver charged after Hwy 17 crash

OPP NEWS RELEASES

************************* Driver charged in motor vehicle collision

GARDEN RIVER FIRST NATION, ON - OPP responded to a motor vehicle collision yesterday evening at 10 p.m. on Highway 17 East.

A grey Toyota vehicle was eastbound on Highway 17 when the vehicle veered onto the gravel portion of the roadway and ended up in the median ditch.

The vehicle had to be towed.

There were no injuries to the driver.

Charged with failing to drive in marked lane under the Highway Traffic Act is 18-year-old Chase Chisholm of Water Street in Thessalon, Ontario.

************************* Heat wave hard on tires and drivers

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON) – As mid-summer heat waves descend, drivers should ensure that they have adequately prepared their vehicles, and themselves.

There are more tire problems in hot weather than any other time of year.

The main cause of tire failure is excessive heat.

Tires lose air due to punctures, leaky valves, corroded wheels, age, and impact, and as a result, air pressure is lowered.

It is important that drivers regularly inspect tires visually, and check that inflation pressures are maintained to manufacturer’s specification.

Tire pressures must be checked with a gauge when the tire is cold.

You can’t guess the pressure by appearance.

Do not over-inflate tires in an attempt to increase fuel mileage.

This greatly reduces the tire contact with the road, increases stopping distance, and can contribute to loss of control in turns and lane changes.

Ultimately, over-inflation can cause a tire to fail. Car trouble is inconvenient in your driveway, but is potentially life-threatening on a busy highway.

Drivers should regularly check rubber belts, hoses, and fluid levels, but never remove a pressurized coolant cap on a hot engine.

Make sure your own fluid levels are up too. Keep hydrated, and always have some bottled water with you.

In winter, keep appropriate clothing/supplies with you, just in case.

During the summer, bring protection from the elements: sunscreen, hats, umbrella, and raincoats.

As the temperatures rise, so does driver frustration.

Always keep your cool and avoid aggressive driving behaviour.

If you witness reckless driving, do not retaliate.

If you can do so safely, pull over and call police and provide a vehicle description, or have a passenger make the call for you.

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