Spare tire's all around?

[Artemus Gordon]

You know those 50 mile spare donut tire's. Today I watched a small sedan come off I 5 to get gas. Four adults exited the small car. I could not believe it, but they were driving on four of those temporary tire's ! I could not stop myself, I said to the driver, "you know those tire's are not meant to replace regular tire's "! " They are dangerous to you and other drivers"! She replied she has been using them for weeks, no problem, just drove down from Oregon.

I just can't mind my own business. I called the CHP, talk to duty officer. He thanked me and said they be right there. A patrol car was nearby, stopped and went straight to their car. I got a call back, thanking me for the alert. Evidently they were towed to tire shop. I felt bad but hey, someone had to look out for the idiots?

[DQDick]

You did the right thing. Someone could have been killed and as usually happens, it could have been someone else who didn't make that kind of stupid decision. Last night leaving the NASCAR race we were passed by numerous campers in a hurry to get home. We were doing 75 so I know they were stressing their tires. We stayed the night in a motel and the next morning just outside of Atlanta there was one of the fifth wheels that passed us by the side of the road with both drivers side tires blow out and a good deal of damage. I'm sure if you asked that guy why he treated his tires that way he'd tell you it was never a problem before.

[jcurtis934]

Good job! Stupid happens far too much to let stuff slide. John

[waynemoore]

Good job from here also. You saved them this time but remember you can't cure stupid.

[dieselguy]

Hope she didn't get your license number ...

[DarMar]

Can't fix stupid for sure but it seems to be everywhere these days. Your actions in calling the CHP may have saved a life down the road.

[CORattler]

Sounds like a response from a dealer ... "We've never had that problem before"
Darwin award candidates.
You did the right thing.

[Arcamper]

I agree it's dumb to run 4 on a car but illeagal so the car had to be towed? I don't think so.

[PackerFan]

Congrats & Good job! You should never feel bad about that, you saved someone's life for sure!

[TLightning]

quote:Originally posted by Arcamper

I agree it's dumb to run 4 on a car but illeagal so the car had to be towed? I don't think so.

And she said "she has been using them for weeks, no problem, just drove down from Oregon." We have the same issues and hear the same thing from folks on this forum that are hauling big Montana's with grossly over weight trucks.

[Artemus Gordon]

quote:Originally posted by Arcamper

I agree it's dumb to run 4 on a car but illeagal so the car had to be towed? I don't think so.

The vehicle code in most states contain weight and speed specifications for all tire's including spares designed for temporary use in an emergency. Federal and State laws exist on this subject. The loaded car was clearly unsafe based on capacity of the tire's weigh ratings alone, and would be subject to being towed. Further most tire's have a 50 MPH Max speed limit which would make freeway driving unsafe. Not to mention "tread depth" requirements of tire's . While I did not ask the question as to what they were cited for, I believe this was clearly an unsafe vehicle and apparently so did the CHP, who forced it to be parked and towed to fix infractions.

[JandC]

Laws are so different from state to state, I won't even venture a guess if such a situation would be against the traffic code in California allowing a CHIP Officer to tow the car. In Illinois the vehicle certainly could have been deemed "unsafe to operate" and prevented from traveling any further.

As far as confronting the driver/occupants and then calling law enforcement, that is a personal choice. If you think it is such a hazard and there is a good chance someone will be injured then you should do your part to help prevent that shouldn't you?

Sometimes it could be better to skip engaging the person creating the hazard and just call the law. You just never know how the conversation will go with the other person. Approaching a stranger and telling them they are doing something wrong has turned into violence in the past.

Example: the other day I stopped to check on my 87 year old Mother. She informs me that a gentlemen is preparing to paint the residence next door with a spray gun and she is worried that her car or home may get overspray. She had asked him earlier in the morning and he told her "not to worry about it". So I walk over and introduce myself, being very polite to insure the conversation goes in the correct direction. With 34 years of being a cop this isn't my first rodeo. I tell him of our concerns and he tells me the same thing and is not very friendly. I keep my cool and simply remind him that it is pretty windy but I am sure he has contractor insurance so I will not worry about it. He decides he should raise his voice and get rude at this point. Now he has my full attention and I repeat my statement that I am sure he has insurance and I am not going to worry about it, except this time I am yelling it loud enough for neighbors to hear me two blocks away and I am six inches from his face, which I have a burning desire to smash!

The only thing that kept this from turning into a bad situation was him deciding to turn away, it sure wasn't my initial good intentions or self control. The guy was a jerk and was used to bullying elderly folks. However, after I left I was the one that felt stupid for coming down to his level and almost getting myself caught up in a situation that didn't need to happen at all.

Don't want to hijack your thread Michael, just an example of how good intentions can lead to problems.

[Artemus Gordon]

Agreed, in this case however, the perps were younger females with a forth person of uncertain gender, who acted as if he/she had never filled up a car at the pump. I am less likely to point out " tread issues" to "Hells Angels" or Mongels. In this case I knew for sure, I could take them. Just for added safety, I made sure I had the window squeegee firmly grasped! Lots of soap on it Joe, for the eyes, in case I miss!

I gest, it's good advice for sure and I respect your advice and thank you for your years of service!!