Tag archives: Road Safety

Protect Your Rights: Know How To Handle Car Accident Reporting

#AskTaniaFleming Car accidents happen at an alarming rate throughout Canada. According to the latest accident statistics released by the government, almost 155,000 people were injured in road accidents in a single year. Not all collisions result in personal injuries or fatalities, but knowing what to do when involved in a car accident and the legal requirements for reporting it in Ontario could keep you from incurring fines and other penalties. Reporting a car accident also ensures that you are protected in the event a claim is made against you or in case you have a claim for personal injuries or ... Read more

Road Infrastructure and How it can Help Road Safety

#AskHeikkiCoxKikkajoon Government efforts to make it safer for people to travel the roads and highways of Ontario and the other provinces are motivated by a desire to reduce the number of accidents in which people are seriously injured or killed. Ontario Provincial Police reported a dramatic increase in fatalities last year with 341 people killed in highway accidents. This represents an 11 percent increase from the total a year earlier. There are different strategies governments can use to make the roads safer, including increased enforcement of traffic laws and harsher penalties for violators. Another strategy is to make improvements in ... Read more

Avoid Accidents Using These Safe Driving Tips for Spring

#AskJillianCarrington It could be more than merely a coincidence that daylight saving time when most Canadian communities set their clocks one hour ahead usually results in up to a 20 percent increase in accidents on the road. The reason could have as much to do with spring weather and road conditions as it does with tired drivers adjusting to the loss of an hour of sleep on the day after the clocks get reset. Here are six tips to keep you and others safe when driving this spring. Winter potholes create spring driving hazards Winter freezing and thawing wreaks havoc ... Read more

Deadly Transport Truck Accidents On the Rise in Ontario

#AskRobertGabor Transport trucks contribute to the nation’s economic wellbeing by moving products and raw materials throughout Canada and across the border to and from the United States. The reliance on trucks brings with it an increase in transport truck accidents. According to data compiled by the Ontario Provincial Police, there were a record number of highway collisions and fatalities in the province with 55 deaths in 7,674 collisions. As police continue their efforts to make Ontario roads safer, motorists need to become aware of the causes of transport truck accidents and what to do if they suffer injuries as a ... Read more

Unsafe Roadways: Who Can An Injured Party Sue

#AskCoreySax When someone is at fault in causing an accident, an injured party has the right to make a claim for compensation. Things are not so simple when the party responsible for causing your injuries is a city or other municipality. The law gives you up to two years to file a lawsuit for personal injuries, but if a municipality is the responsible party, you could lose the right to sue unless you give the municipality notice of the accident within 10 days. Municipal obligation for roads and bridges Under the Ontario Municipal Act, bridges and highways fall under the ... Read more

New Ontario Laws In Effect To Keep People Safe

The start of a new year traditionally comes with a slew of new laws, and this year is no exception. Some of the new laws target road safety by increasing penalties or expanding prohibited driver conduct. One law addresses harassment in the workplace by imposing a requirement on certain employers to create rules and procedures for managing workplace violence. Distracted driving The most dangerous behaviour engaged in by drivers is distracted driving according to the Ontario Provincial Police, which makes it worse than driving under the influence of alcohol as far as causing accidents. As of January 1, penalties for ... Read more

Marijuana Legalization And Traffic Accidents

#AskNastassiaIvanova The relationship between the use of drugs and motor vehicle collisions is something researchers realized long before marijuana use was legalized in Canada. Accident investigations revealed that 40 percent of fatal collisions involved at least one driver who tested positive for drugs. Surveys show that 43 percent of individuals who admit to using marijuana acknowledge doing so on a daily basis. Driving while impaired, whether by the consumption of drugs or alcohol, continues to be illegal in Ontario and all other provinces, but there is disagreement among experts about whether marijuana legalization will significantly affect accident rates and personal ... Read more

Staying Safe When Bicycle Riding in Ontario

#AskTJGogna Summer and early fall offer ideal conditions for bicycle riding for adults and children, but bicycle riders need to be aware of the risks associated with sharing the road with motor vehicles, pedestrians and other bicycle riders. According to a study of fatal bicycle accidents in Ontario, 87 percent of the victims were men with the majority of the accidents occurring during daylight hours. Cycling provides exercise, enjoyment and an environmentally safe means of getting around, but you need to follow a few precautions and take steps to prevent having an accident or mishap that could send you to ... Read more

Staying Safe When Riding a Motorcycle

#AskCoryRubin Motorcycles are a popular form of recreation and transportation throughout Canada. They are fun to ride and are fuel efficient to help their owners save money. There are more than 600,000 motorcycles registered across the country with about 30 percent of them registered in Ontario. A study of deaths caused by motor vehicle accidents in Ontario reveals that motorcyclists represent a disproportionate percentage of road fatality victims. They account for 10 percent of road deaths, but they only represent 2 percent of the vehicles on the roads. If you enjoy riding a motorcycle to get around on your daily commute ... Read more

Tips for Making This Canada Day a Safe One

#AskJeremyDiamond Canada Day is a festive time throughout the country as Canadians celebrate their heritage. Whether your celebration involves fireworks, a drive to a mountain lake, a trip across town or a backyard pool party, keeping yourself and others safe should be your number one priority. Here are a few tips to you can follow to help enjoy the celebration without mishap. When heading to the outdoors, have a plan Camping, festivals, fireworks displays and other outdoor activities have been a part of Canada Day celebrations for years for countless families throughout Ontario. Crowds or unfamiliar areas can result in ... Read more