On Monday’s GFB:
OPP Sergeant, Dave Woodford | 11:30am
Ontario Ombudsman André Marin | 12:15pm

GUEST – OPP Sergeant, Dave Woodford
TOPIC – Canada Day Long Weekend, heat waves, and road safety.
INFO – Heat wave hard on tires… And drivers!

(Aurora) – As a pre-summer heat wave descends upon Ontario, drivers should ensure that they have adequately prepared their vehicles, and themselves.

There are more tire and wheel related problems in hot weather than any other time of year. The main cause of catastrophic tire failure is excessive heat. This is typically caused by low air pressure. Heat is also hard on the wheel and axle components of the vehicle and should be maintained and lubricated which could prevent wheel separations.

It is important that drivers regularly visually inspect tires, check the lug nuts and check inflation pressures are maintained to manufacturer’s specification. Tire pressures must be checked “cold” with a gauge. 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 “footprint” size on the road, increasing stopping distance, and will contribute to loss of control in turns & lane changes. Over-inflation may also cause immediate catastrophic failure.

Car trouble is inconvenient in your driveway, but is potentially life-threatening on 400 Series Highways. Drivers should also regularly check rubber belts, hoses, and all fluid levels. *Never remove pressurized coolant caps 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 we recommend keeping appropriate clothing/supplies with you “just in case”. In summer we again recommend bringing protection from the weather: sunscreen, hats, umbrella, and raincoats.

Road Rage also occurs more frequently in hot weather. ALWAYS keep your cool. If you witness another driver doing something dangerous, do not retaliate. Call police on 911.

INFO – Maintenance is a Key Factor to a Safe Vehicle

(Aurora, On) – As a pre-summer heat wave descends upon Ontario, drivers should ensure that they have adequately prepared their vehicles, and themselves.

There is more tire and wheel related problems in hot weather than any other time of year. Heat is hard on the wheel and axle components of the vehicle and should be maintained and lubricated which could prevent wheel separations.

The mechanics and causes of wheel separations on passenger vehicles may be similar to those of truck separations: loose or over tightened wheel nuts, fracture of the axle, failure of the hub assembly, fracture of the wheel centre disc, loss of the wheel mounting nuts or fracture of the wheel mounting bolts. Symptoms prior to wheel separations could range from nothing to significant noise, shaking and poor handling.

The causes presented were mainly attributed to improper maintance and overloading. Routine mechanical inspections may reduce the unlikely event of a wheel failure by identifying excessive wear and tear on mechanical items that can fail. It is important that drivers regularly visually inspect tires and wheel fasteners. If you experience a problem have the vehicle checked and repaired or replaced promptly to avoid any incidents.

Car trouble is inconvenient in your driveway, but is potentially life-threatening on 400 Series Highways. Drivers should always make sure the vehicle has been completely serviced and regularly checked. Motorists and pedestrians have little protection or defence against such unpredictable projectiles.

 

GFB GUEST – Ontario Ombudsman André Marin
TOPIC – Annual report 2011-2012.

INFO – Ontario Ombudsman André Marin is calling on the government of Ontario to protect the public interest in tough economic times by ensuring citizens have the opportunity to complain to his office – as more than 18,500 of them did in 2011-2012 (up 27% from the previous year).