During a bitter 20-degree frost, a Lada driver found himself stranded on a remote road when a wheel came loose. The problem stemmed from tire fitting work that hadn’t held up under the extreme cold, according to information shared with traffic police in the Sverdlovsk region.
In the evening hours, traffic police officers observed a VAZ-2111 with its emergency lights flashing on the shoulder of the Nizhnyaya Tura-Kachkanar road. The driver, a 33-year-old man, explained that he was traveling to Serov when he realized the wheel was loose and threatening to detach from the vehicle’s hub.
Earlier in the day, the motorist had visited a car service for tire installation. He reported that the wheel had been secured there, but the setup apparently failed to withstand the harsh cold, leaving the wheel loose and the vehicle unstable.
The local police noted that the extreme temperature — about twenty degrees below zero — compounded the danger. The driver lacked the necessary tools to safely replace the wheel himself, making the situation precarious and potentially life-threatening on a rural road where assistance isn’t always immediate.
Responding promptly, the traffic police officers offered assistance and used their own tools to reattach and secure the wheel correctly. The intervention ensured the Lada could continue its journey with the wheel properly tightened, reducing the risk of a catastrophic tire failure on the frigid pavement.
This incident serves as a reminder of the hazards that extreme winter conditions pose to motorists. Properly installing and inspecting wheels, using appropriate torque settings, and carrying basic emergency equipment can make a critical difference when a wheel works loose. The authorities emphasize the importance of seeking professional service for tire work and checking wheel fasteners after any installation, especially in cold weather where materials can contract and loosen unexpectedly.
Earlier in the month at another location, reports indicated that traffic police rescued a family in the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug who were freezing in frosty conditions as temperatures plunged toward 30 degrees. The memory of that event reinforces the need for preparedness in subzero weather and the value of timely assistance from road safety authorities.