by Jack Lee
Butte College Student Ashley (last name witheld and not shown in picture) was southbound on Hwy 99 at about 8:40 a.m. today when she lost control of her vehicle in light traffic on the four lane freeway and rolled into the center divide. Witnesses say her vehicle swerved violently for a few seconds, causing the car to flip. It was the only vehicle involved.
Witnesses say the swerving may have been due to a blown right front tire. Witnesses also say the car was driving on bald tires and that a large torn hole was noted on the left front tire, which they say was so badly worn it had no visible tread.
The CHP are investigating and the driver could be cited for driving on unsafe tires as well as travelling too fast for conditions. Driver inexperience is suspected as a contributing factor, witnesses said.
This is yet one more reason why its so incredibly important for parents to teach their children to always check the safety equipment on their vehicles like tires, wipers, horn, seat belts, brakes, lights, etc., and never operate a vehicle in an unsafe condition, it could be a fatal mistake for them or someone else. Parents should also make sure that if their child is operating a vehicle at highway speeds that they are competent to do so and can handle a situation like a flat tire. In this case it appears the young driver immediately made wild correcting turns (over correction) that should have been easy to control by a more experienced driver.
FYI: The easiest blow out or flat to control is the front tire and every good driver knows that if you have a flat, you don’t make any exaggerated turning motions! You hold on to the steering wheel tightly, slow down and move your vehicle to right side of the road when it is safe to do. Any quick turns will only be amplified by the flat tire rolling over the rim. Slamming on the brakes can also contribute to a loss of control.
This student was lucky to walk away from this one with only a complaint of pain. Until she can afford driving lessons and a safe vehicle, maybe she will do society a favor and take the bus to school!
Note the fancy wheels; apparently the owner could afford nice looking wheels, but not safe tires. I would say the owner got his/her priorties wrong, but then again the owner of this vehicle won’t be driving it again anytime soon so its a moot point now.