Big rig drivers rarely responsible, say police
A crash between a tanker truck and minivan that closed Hwy. 400 during the evening rush hour on Monday is now under investigation but police say similar accidents are usually caused by the smaller vehicle.
Police say that despite appearances, drivers of big rigs are rarely responsible for crashes that can close highways and create havoc for commuters.
"Most of the time, in fact, it's the car driver's fault," OPP Sgt. Cam Woolley said Tuesday.
"Believe it or not, a small car can cause a big crash."
While police are still investigating the cause of Monday's accident and no conclusions have been made, Woolley's general assessment is backed up by 20-year trucking veteran Alvin Kane.
He said it is all too common for cars to cut him off on the highway, creating potentially dangerous situations.
"There's a car following behind me," Kane told CTV's Tom Hayes while driving on Tuesday.
"Already that vehicle is too close to me. I don't like that car up behind me that I can't see because I'm now responsible for that family or that driver back there."
He added that if he were to stop suddenly, the vehicle behind him could easily drive under his rear bumper.
The best advice is to stay far enough behind an 18-wheeler to see the truck's mirrors.
Monday's accident
Police were still investigating the accident on Tuesday.
But what was known is that the tanker truck loaded with liquid oxygen and a minivan collided around 1 p.m. The truck overturned and came to rest on its side, creating an explosion risk.
Police evacuated an area of up to 500 metres around the truck and shut down Hwy. 400 in both directions while the delicate task of removing the liquid oxygen was carried out.
Emergency crews were concerned because liquid oxygen can be highly explosive if it reacts with anything combustible, including gasoline or diesel fuel.
Liquid oxygen is extremely cold and transported under intense pressure, making an overturned tanker a delicate situation.
"The major concern, beside it being combustible (is) if you come into contact with it, you will get severe frost burns," OPP hazardous materials expert Sgt. Marc Schram said.
During Monday's cleanup, oxygen was vented from the tank's pressure-relief system. But the liquid did not leak, despite early reports that said it had.
Leaks are uncommon because trucking companies must meet tough Transport Canada Regulations.
"It (the tanker) is similar to a thermos bottle. It has an inner tank and an outer shell to it," Schram said.
It took four hours for the overturned tanker's load to be safely transferred to another truck.
Once the truck was removed, police re-opened the highway.
With reports from CTV's John Musselman and Tom Hayes
