A DISABLED driver said he felt like a “third-class citizen” after being left stranded on the side of the highway for hours – despite paying for towing services.
Frédéric McNamara, from Montreal, Canada, has muscular dystrophy, uses a wheelchair and requires adapted transit.
A disabled driver said he felt like a ‘third class citizen’ after he was left stranded at the side of the road for hours[/caption]
The man’s adapted vehicle suffered a tire blow out after he struck an object on the road[/caption]
In the past, McNamara had been able to stay in his vehicle while it was towed[/caption]
Ontario regulations prohibit towing vehicles with passengers inside due to safety concerns[/caption]
But according to CBC, McNamara faced a frustrating incident on Highway 401 near Cobourg, Ontario.
While driving his adapted vehicle, he struck an object on the road – causing a tire to blow out.
As a member of the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), McNamara called for towing assistance – expecting help as part of the services he pays for.
But when the tow truck arrived, the driver was unable to accommodate McNamara’s needs.
Normally, the driver of a stricken vehicle would ride in the tow truck while their car is towed, but McNamara’s wheelchair made it impossible for him to get inside the truck.
The report states that, in the past, McNamara had been able to stay in his vehicle while it was towed by a CAA Quebec truck – but Ontario regulations prohibit towing vehicles with passengers inside due to safety concerns.
As a result, McNamara was left waiting in his vehicle on the side of the highway for three hours while CAA attempted to arrange for an adapted taxi.
Although the tow truck driver stayed with him until the taxi arrived, McNamara later said the experience made him feel like a a third-class citizen.
“I was angry,” he told reporters.
“I felt like we weren’t important to them.”
He added: “CAA isn’t a free service.
“We pay and we hope to get the service and the only time we need them they can’t help us like they should.”
Since the incident, calls for better coordination between towing companies, police and adapted transit services have been raised – in a bid to ensure people with disabilities receive timely and safe assistance.
Steven Laperrière, the director-general of RAPLIQ, which represents people with disabilities, said: “More important than a plan, you need to have a partnership with everyone involved like from the tow truck companies like CAA and the OPP and the taxi companies all over the place to make sure if this happens we can react faster than that.”
CAA stated they followed their procedures and worked to find a solution.
In a statement, the company said that it does have a procedure for towing a member with reduced mobility and that it was followed in this instance.
McNamara, though, hopes the company can do better next time.
“I would like them to have clear policies when they’re dealing with adapted vehicles and disabled vehicles,” he said.
Would you suffer through the DMV for a loved one?
More than half of Americans would suffer through going to the DMV (53%) for the sake of their loved ones, according to new research.
To understand how far people are willing to go to help others, a recent survey of 2,000 U.S. adults explored the concept of loyalty in terms of friends, family and even brands.
The DMV’s line is not the only sacrifice. Two in five Americans said they’d happily donate an organ to their family and friends, showcasing the depth of loyalty in interpersonal relationships.
According to the results, Americans would also act as a reference for an apartment or job (62%).
Partners (35%) and best friends (27%) were ranked as the top two most likely people respondents would start a business with.
And if $100,000 were to suddenly fall in their lap 82% of respondents are even likely to share their winnings with family and friends.
Conducted by Talker Research for Circle K’s Inner Circle Rewards Program, results also found that brands and businesses also pull a similar type of loyalty.
Almost three in five (57%) have certain items or services where they prefer one brand over another, including shoes (52%), technology, such as phones or computers (51%), hair products (50%) and clothing (44%).
Seven in 10 (71%) have loyalty to their grocery store, and 59% feel loyal to certain restaurants and food services, while others prefer certain gas stations (39%) and convenience stores (27%).
In fact, the average American has remained loyal to their favorite brands and products for 13 years, while 35% indicated that two decades have passed.
Nearly three-quarters (74%) even agreed that they can tell the difference between the same products made by different brands.
“Loyalty is fundamental to our relationships with family, friends, businesses and brands. The more loyalty you give, the more you get — and it deserves to be recognized,” said Rick Rasor, Vice President of Loyalty at Circle K.
“That is why we are dedicated to rewarding customers for continually making us a part of their daily life.”
