Victim of a road accident, a motorist denounces the absence of winter tires on the U-Haul truck he rented before the holidays. A situation which is unfortunately far from being an exception, although it is illegal.
“I escaped unscathed, but it could have been serious,” laments Jean-Sébastien Laprise, contacted by The Journal.
The 34-year-old man who owns an entertainment company was returning from an event in a U-Haul van when he was involved in an accident on Chemin des Îles, in Lévis, a few weeks ago.
His vehicle spun on an icy surface before colliding with an oncoming guardrail. Unable to move, Mr. Laprise was then struck by another vehicle.
“When I went to return the truck to U-Haul, the employees were telling customers that the cube trucks and vans did not have winter tires. It doesn’t make any sense with the winters we have in Quebec,” he complains.
The snowflake and mountain logo that certifies a winter tire was not found on the tires of the van rented by Mr. Laprise.
Photo provided by Jean-Sébastien Laprise
No exemption
On social networks, testimonies similar to that of Mr. Laprise have been counted by the dozens for years.
“U-Haul does not have winter tires: their trucks are plated to the states… […] They therefore have the right to rent dangerous trucks. [sic]», wrote Éliane Bonin in 2021.
However, contrary to popular belief, it is illegal, confirms the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility (MTMD).
Even if it is registered outside Quebec, a road vehicle offered for rental in the province is required to have winter tires if it has a gross weight rating of less than 4,500 kg, says the carrier. words Émilie Lord.
At U-Haul, that includes at least pickup trucks, vans and 10-foot cube trucks, according to the company’s spec sheets.
“No exemption concerns U-Haul for vehicles registered in Arizona,” underlines Mme Lord.
All-season tires have less capacity for evacuating water and snow, as well as too hard rubber which loses its grip properties from 7°C, explains Jesse Caron, expert. automobile at CAA-Quebec.
Jean-Sébastien Laprise had to pay a $150 deductible since he had an accident with the rented van.
Photo provided by Jean-Sébastien Laprise
A known problem
Although it receives few complaints each year, Controle Routier Québec, an agency affiliated with the SAAQ, claims to be aware of this problem.
“Every year, we make interventions on this subject. There have already been some this year at a rental company in Quebec where reports of infractions were given,” mentions Lieutenant Jonathan Bovet, communications coordinator for the organization.
Asked about this, U-Haul International spokesperson Jeff Lockridge said all of their vans, pickup trucks and lighter cube trucks that serve the province “should” be equipped with winter tires.
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