burning inferno claims 2 lives on 401 .

[spm24]

The morning rush in Toronto is always a challenge.

It’s a lot more than that on the 401 in the east end Wednesday.

It follows a staggering chain reaction accident on the highway at Warden that took place at around 12:30am.

It began when the driver of a Chevy Cobalt apparently lost control of his vehicle and swerved into the path of a tractor trailer.

The car became stuck under the wheels of the big rig, which began sliding along the guardrail, before both burst into flame.

The inferno burned so hot, it literally melted the truck. The driver of that vehicle managed to escape, but the 22-year-old man in the car and a passenger weren't as lucky. Both are believed to have died on impact. Names of the victims haven't been released.

Fighting the fire was made even more difficult because the truck was carrying a huge load of paper products, which fed the flames.

By the time crews extinguished the blaze, the pattern had been set for morning commuter chaos.

Both the express and transfer lanes of the westbound 401 are closed past McCowan to the 404, and police believe most of the affected stretch of roadway will remain shut down through the bulk of the morning rush.

The back-up has already caused other routes to jam up as motorists look for alternate ways to get to work.

Backhoes have been brought in to remove the debris, but it’s slow going, a phrase commuters taking the highway will be well familiar with by the time their early Wednesday drive in is over.


September 28, 2005
edit : link provided.
http://www.pulse24.com/News/Top_Stor...8-002/page.asp

[ylikone]

Stupid people driving way to fast (common for the 401). Dumbasses deserve what they get. It just REALLY SUCKS when they imperil the lives of others.

[Shaner]

Stupid people driving way to fast (common for the 401). Dumbasses deserve what they get. It just REALLY SUCKS when they imperil the lives of others.

That's a little harsh. Doing 130 on the 401 might be too fast, but that alone won't kill someone. Whether you're doing 100 or 130, if you run into a truck that bursts into flame, you're going to die.

Stupid, careless drivers are to blame, but people who drive fast aren't entirely to blame. Besides, this article doesn't say anything about driving too fast or drving carelessly.

[fireguy9]

Its not the speed that kills,,, its the idiotic driving skill of many that does,,,, not respecting the left lane!!! Not using mirrors etc. Being in emerg service,, we see it all. People die at 50 km/h too.

Europe has the autobahn,, and things work well,,, the thing is people are educated better on driving and those road rules of the left lane, construction zone slow downs are strictly enforced.

We have one of the slowest highway speeds around now!

[ylikone]

That's a little harsh. Doing 130 on the 401 might be too fast, but that alone won't kill someone. Whether you're doing 100 or 130, if you run into a truck that bursts into flame, you're going to die.

Stupid, careless drivers are to blame, but people who drive fast aren't entirely to blame. Besides, this article doesn't say anything about driving too fast or drving carelessly.

I don't think it's harsh. Going over 100 on the 401 automatically means you have no control over your car if someone suddenly brakes or something. Speed kills. Ask any cop. Very few, if any, people on the road are professional drivers. You might be able to handle high speed driving, but that old guy in front of you can't. Unfortunately, you are sharing the road with a bunch of bad drivers. You realize that if everybody went the speed limit, the number of deaths would be greatly reduced. But, yes, I do realize that people will always drive a bit faster than the posted speed limit.

[ylikone]

People die at 50 km/h too.

Hardly! Unless they're hit by a guy doing 120!


The autobahn has less accidents in general, probably because the people driving it are fairly competent. Gramma and gramps probably don't dare to go out on the autobahn too much. BUT, when accidents do happen, they are almost always FATAL on the autobahn.

Speed does kill... no matter what you people think. Argue if you like, physics will win every time.

[fireguy9]

I don't think it's harsh. Going over 100 on the 401 automatically means you have no control over your car if someone suddenly brakes or something. Speed kills. Ask any cop. Very few, if any, people on the road are professional drivers. You might be able to handle high speed driving, but that old guy in front of you can't. Unfortunately, you are sharing the road with a bunch of bad drivers. You realize that if everybody went the speed limit, the number of deaths would be greatly reduced. But, yes, I do realize that people will always drive a bit faster than the posted speed limit.

Bit harsh ya!!!! maybe the guy was cut off by a idiot driver. What if that was a family member or friend of yours?

Speed kills? Not always. Cops say that or that Opp guy to instill the message to slow people down,,,,,,, Bunch of crap. Its those other drivers around you doing the improper lane changes and tailgating etc. Speed alone is not the culprit at all. Enforce the rules and increase the speed limits in certain areas or time periods.

Driving To Windsor on 401 many times is not congested,,, should be a 120 zone. Get people moving. The U.S and Europe do it all over where the speed limit on the highway changes

[fireguy9]

Hardly! Unless they're hit by a guy doing 120!


The autobahn has less accidents in general, probably because the people driving it are fairly competent. Gramma and gramps probably don't dare to go out on the autobahn too much. BUT, when accidents do happen, they are almost always FATAL on the autobahn.

Speed does kill... no matter what you people think. Argue if you like, physics will win every time.

You would be amazed buddy! Do you respond to emerg calls? I see many people walk away from some incredible high speed wrecks.

For your knowledge they are not always fatal there either. You can drive 160km/h there then all of sudden sign states a reduction in speed and everyone does it. There they follow rules or pay big price fines etc. That does not happen here.

[ylikone]

Cops say that or that Opp guy to instill the message to slow people down,,,,,,, Bunch of crap. Its those other drivers around you doing the improper lane changes and tailgating etc.

So, because there are other timid drivers on the road, which you MUST share the road with, you will continue to blame them because you want to go fast? If you were going the speed limit, someone cutting you off is less likely to cause an accident. It's physics 101. Speed does kill. Cops aren't spewing a bunch of crap. Peoples insistence on driving over the speed limit is what kills. Think about how you are putting your family and friends (passengers) at unnessary risk the next time you are going 140 and the guy in front of you cuts you off!

READ MY POSTS, YOU ARE SHARING THE ROAD WITH PEOPLE WHO AREN'T GOOD DRIVERS! SLOW DOWN!

[fireguy9]

So, because there are other timid drivers on the road, which you MUST share the road with, you will continue to blame them because you want to go fast? If you were going the speed limit, someone cutting you off is less likely to cause an accident. It's physics 101. Speed does kill. Cops aren't spewing a bunch of crap. Peoples insistence on driving over the speed limit is what kills. Think about how you are putting your family and friends (passengers) at unnessary risk the next time you are going 140 and the guy in front of you cuts you off!

READ MY POSTS, YOU ARE SHARING THE ROAD WITH PEOPLE WHO AREN'T GOOD DRIVERS! SLOW DOWN!

Did I say lets go 140? I said the speed is not the factor. No one is going to slow down,,,, people want to get to point b. Enforcing other rules like I said will help. Look at that left lane, it is full of cars all the time. It is for passing and the rule,,, slower cars stay to the right. Its obvious you cannot drive fast in traffic, but without the high traffic why shouldn't the speed limit be 120-125? U.S interstates are up to the 70-75mph. You create a safety zone around your car and drive to the conditions.

Physics is one thing but reality is another and that is why I said, People walk away from many highspeed crashes and some dont as well some dont make it in low speed crashes either.

You lose control at any speed, things happen,,, many factors, (fire, size of vehicle colliding with, location of impact etc) A bump to the head or chest will kill you too!

[konfusion666]

Going over 100 on the 401 automatically means you have no control over your car if someone suddenly brakes or something.

Is the difference between 100 and (100 + 1) really that much?


Oh no, I'm driving at 110! My brakes don't work anymore!

[ylikone]

Sorry you people just don't get it.

[fireguy9]

IF you are a timid driver and you do not even drive the speed limit, Get the heck off the highway!!!!!!!!! It is not for you,, or you drive 100, Get the heck in the right lane and stay there.

[ylikone]

Get the heck off the highway!!!!!!!!!

Ha, my point proven.

[felixdd]

Actually I agree with fireguy9 here. If you plan on cruising -- at any speeds, stay in the curb lane. The passing lane is strictly for passing. Too many people cruise on the curb lane, blocking anyone else from using it.

And no, speed doesn't kill -- difference in speed does. Ylikone, you keep saying if everyone goes 100, then it's safe. True enough, but every time I hit the 401, I encounter people insist on cutting into your lane while doing 80. Has it ever occurred to you that this is what happened to the Cobalt driver? And despite what you might think...a difference of "only" 20 km/h, when both vehicles are giong at high speed, is quite deadly.

If everyone goes at one speed, whether it be 100 or 120, the highway will be safer for all.