#AskSandraZisckind The time is quickly approaching when self-driving vehicles will be a common sight on Ontario roads and highways. More than two-thirds of vehicles currently in use in Ontario have some form of technology providing assistance to drivers with steering, braking and acceleration. Until the future when fully autonomous vehicles become the norm, avoiding collisions remains the responsibility of drivers who must obey the traffic laws while maintaining control over their vehicles. New Ontario driving rules will have an impact on road safety as long as drivers obey them. Driving while impaired The use of alcohol or drugs can affect ...
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#AskDanielDiamond Whether you live an active lifestyle by participating in sports and outdoor activities or spend your leisure time sitting in the comfort of your home reading a book, a severe pain in your shoulder or arm should not be ignored. It could be a sign that you have suffered a brachial plexus injury. If left untreated, the result could be numbness and a loss of sensation in the affected area leading to even more serious complications. Injuries to the brachial plexus occur under a variety of circumstances, include participation in sports, accidents and even from the trauma of the ...
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#AskDanielDiamond Motorists that are taking to the roads with their families to view the spectacular array of fall foliage colours need to exercise caution. Almost 36,000 motor vehicle collisions occur each year on Ontario roads in which someone is either killed or injured. Fall driving presents challenges, including earlier sunsets, more vehicles on the roads and changing weather conditions, that can lead to accidents for unsuspecting drivers. Here are a few tips motorists can use to keep themselves and the occupants of their vehicles safe during autumn road trips. Be mindful of changing weather conditions Weather, including temperatures, change quickly during the ...
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#AskDanielDiamond It took five years following the death of a 17-year-old rugby player before the passage of legislation aimed at protecting children participating in sports from the risks associated with concussions. The passage by Ontario of legislation establishing safety protocols to protect children and teens from the effects of concussions marks the first legislation of its kind in the country. The law provides protocols coaches, parents and others involved in youth sports must follow to protect children from returning to activities before they have completely healed. The risk of concussions People might mistakenly think of the cause of a concussion only in ...
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#AskSimonDiamond Children always seem to be doing something. Whether riding a bicycle or playing an organized sport, the activities children participate in putting them at risk of suffering a concussion due to an injury to the head. The Government of Canada reports that 64 percent of hospital emergency department visits by children between 10 and 18 years of age are related to sports or other physical activities, and doctors determined that 39 percent of those children were diagnosed with concussions and another 24 percent were suspected of having concussions. Given those statistics, here is what every parent needs to know about their ...
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#AskDanielDiamond An independent medical examination might be a little confusing for an accident victim suffering from catastrophic injuries who is told to attend one. After all, the victim is being treated by his or her own doctor whose reports have already been made available for review by the insurance company requesting the IME. The truth is that an IME is not really that independent with reports put together by doctors who see the victim they are asked to evaluate for only a brief amount of time. In some instances, the doctor might never see the victim before preparing a report. ...
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#AskDanielDiamond If you asked Ontario drivers to list the safety features built into their vehicles, most of them would probably mention air bags, seat belts and anti-lock brakes. It is doubtful if any of them would mention their vehicle’s headrests, yet they are a proven method of reducing serious injuries in a collision. Research shows headrests can reduce whiplash injuries, particularly those caused by rear-end collisions, by 40 percent, but they must be properly adjusted to provide maximum protection in a crash. Whiplash injuries Soft tissue injuries, which do not result in fractured bones or damage to internal organs, are among the most ...
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#AskDanielDiamond More than 800,000 children use school buses to get to and from school in Ontario, so it’s good to know that school buses have compiled an enviable safety record. Described by the Canada Safety Council as one of the safest forms of transportation, and 16 times safer than travelling in the family car, the government is looking for ways to make it even safer. The argument against seatbelts on school buses Keeping passengers safe in the event a school bus is in an accident has relied on the design of the interior. School buses use compartmentalization to protect passengers in a ...
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#AskDanielDiamond The implementation of high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes in Ontario is poised to begin as of Oct. 1. High occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on Queen Elizabeth Way have been designated as HOT lanes under a pilot project scheduled to run from two to four years. Opening HOV lanes restricted to vehicles with two or more occupants to vehicles whose single occupant is willing to pay $180 for a three-month permit has not been met with universal approval. Managing traffic congestion – HOV lanes The introduction of HOV lanes on some of the most travelled and congested roads in Ontario mirrors action ...
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#AskDanielDiamond The deaths a year ago of four people, including a 4-year-old girl, on a Toronto highway tragically called attention to one of the leading causes of highway accidents involving commercial trucks: Driver inattention. According to news reports, it appeared as though a truck operator failed to adjust the speed of the vehicle as traffic ahead was slowing down. Sadly, there are steps commercial drivers and trucking companies can take to reduce the number of accidents involving commercial vehicles. Causes of commercial truck accidents Statistics compiled by the government point to the conduct of drivers as contributing to most commercial truck accidents. ...
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