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Junk left behind after storms punctures tires

by GLENN FARLEY / KING 5 News

KING5.com

Posted on January 23, 2012 at 5:45 PM

Updated Monday, Jan 23 at 7:10 PM

AAA is saying they've seen a 54 percent increase in flat tire calls by their members alone, and it's really picked up again now that most drivers have ventured onto the roads with the thaw.
   
That's because some of us were driving in the snow with chains, and we've left little pieces of chain behind.

Robert Campbell has seen it all in 25 years in the tire business - 17 just at Woodinville Tire and Auto.

Campbell shows us example after example of what he's seen.

“The popular thing since the storm has been pieces of chain. Or the bungee cord that holds the chain onto the tire,” he said.

Between Saturday and Monday, the Goodyear store has seen about 30 cases  of winter-related flats.  The Firestone across the street had 20 cases on Saturday.

And it's not just objects puncturing tires. 

“I was going back and forth in the parking lot, trying to catch some traction, trying to get to work, and bumped a curb,” said Greg Miller.

But Campbell says even pointy objects - some as long as 8 inches - that sat benignly at the side of the road since last summer can end up back in the travel lane. 

“This is stuff that's usually in the gutter of the road, that after the plows come by is when this gets kicked out into the middle of the street with the rain and the snow,” he said.

The Department of Transportation tries to pick up debris when they can, but the little pieces are almost impossible to see

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Comments: Displaying 1 - 3 of 3

crankshaft said on January 24, 2012 at 10:09 AM

Not to mention gigantic potholes. There was one by Northgate 2-3 feet in diameter and about six inches deep. No exaggeration!

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comiccon2010 said on January 24, 2012 at 1:20 AM

if you see a set of chains in the roadway call the wsp, its very dangerous if you hit a set and can cause your car major damage. they should have a chain patrol to go out and pick them up not the troopers

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vffrwm said on January 23, 2012 at 10:36 PM

Oh and the pot holes. Man they are everywhere. Not that big of a deal in a car but if you ride a motorcycle like I do they can and will kill somebody.

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