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Canadian Road Safety News Digest – July 1-31, 2017
September 14, 2017 | Categories: Quick Scan
Last Updated on September 14, 2017
Ontario, Michigan agree to North America's first cross-border testing of autonomous vehicles
July 31, 2017, CBC News (WINDSOR, ONTARIO)
Two vehicles will leave Windsor's riverfront Monday morning and attempt to drive themselves across through the Windsor-Detroit tunnel, into Michigan and back to Canada again, completing a North American first.
The Level 3 autonomous vehicles are part of a partnership between Ontario and Michigan to test self-driving cars at border crossing — the two jurisdictions have signed a memorandum of understanding.
Be a Good Wingman: Don't let impaired friends drive - New SGI campaign wants you to be a friend for life
July 28, 2017, SGI (REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN)
You and your group of lifelong friends are out for a few drinks. One of your buddies grabs their keys and is about to drive home.
Do you say anything, or do you just let them go?
It is something SGI is asking everyone in Saskatchewan to think about.
Province Issues Expression of Interest for Production, Distribution and Retail of Cannabis in Manitoba
July 27, 2017, Government of Manitoba (WINNIPEG, MANITOBA)
The Manitoba government has issued an expression of interest (EOI) to determine options and possible participants in the new cannabis industry, Justice Minister Heather Stefanson announced today.
“In anticipation of the legalization of cannabis, we have taken a proactive approach to addressing our primary concern, which is the health and safety of Manitobans,” said Stefanson. “In addition to this focus, we also recognize there are many questions to be answered regarding distribution, regulation and quality control. This EOI will help us source potential solutions to these important questions and further engage Manitobans on an approach to legalization that works best for our province.”
Calgary debates where and how to sell cannabis, eyes liquor-store model as template
July 23, 2017, Globe and Mail (CALGARY, ALBERTA)
Calgary city staff are recommending that Alberta set up a private retail system for recreational-cannabis sales, similar to its liquor stores, once the drug becomes legal next summer.
Council is set to debate this and other recommendations on cannabis legalization Monday as municipalities across the country begin grappling with the nuts and bolts of regulating a drug that Canadians have largely been prohibited from buying and selling for almost a century.
Audi’s A8 is world’s first level 3 AV
July 23, 2017, Collision Repair Magazine (TORONTO, ONTARIO)
In this week's Autonomous Report, we look at Audi’s launch of the world’s first commercially available level 3 autonomous vehicle (AV), why California is repainting its roads for AVs, a new company that will pay for your dashcan or cellphone videos and much, much more!
SAAQ shows pedestrians, cyclists dangers of trucks’ blind spots
July 23, 2017, Global News (MONTREAL, QUEBEC)
On Sunday, the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) held an awareness campaign at Shamrock Place in Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie.
The interactive event gave pedestrians and cyclists a chance to see a heavy truck up close and personal, and to show them its blind spots
Premiers push Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on cannabis legalization
July 19, 2017, Edmonton Journal (EDMONTON, ALBERTA)
The federal government is leaving provinces and territories hanging when it comes to legalized marijuana, premiers say, and they want answers to help them draft cannabis legislation.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau set a July 1 deadline for legal pot, but premiers at the Council of the Federation meeting Wednesday in Edmonton worried the timeline is unrealistic.
Access to the Road Network for Certain Low Speed Vehicles
July 19, 2017, SAAQ (MONTREAL, QUEBEC)
Some low-speed vehicles are now authorized to travel on the Québec road network, as long as they comply with the additional standards prescribed by the Regulation respecting low-speed vehicles.
Low-speed vehicles (LSV) are fully electric vehicles with a maximum speed between 32 and 40 km/h. They must be registered and, if they meet the new standards, they can travel on public roadways where the posted speed limit is no more than 50 km/h.
Making Our Streets Safer for Cyclists
July 18, 2017, Newswire.ca (TORONTO, ONTARIO)
Today Uber Canada and Share the Road are announcing a new partnership to educate Toronto and Ottawa driver partners and riders on road safety.
Driver partners and riders in Toronto and Ottawa will receive vital information to help prevent collisions, like remembering to keep bike lanes clear and watching for bicyclists when they open car doors into traffic…
Don't Drive Hi campaign is buzzing -- Got a bad case of the munchies? Stay off the roads
July 14, 2017, Marketwired.com (TORONTO, ONTARIO)
R.I.D.E CHECKS -- Don't add driving to your summer high! The warm weather often brings lots of cottage trips, festivals and concerts -- and sometimes the munchies too! Well, munch away but just don't get behind the wheel…
…The year-long Don't Drive Hi campaign is backed by forward-thinking sponsors and supporters including radio stations Z103.5 and Energy 108, licensed producer Beleave Inc., advertising agency BBDO, and safe driving advocates R.I.D.E. CHECKS and Arrive Alive DRIVE SOBER.
Edmonton backs Fredericton in push for red-light cameras
July 13, 2017, CBC News (FREDERICTON, N.B.)
Smile for the camera.
City staff in Edmonton are backing Fredericton's push for red-light cameras to prevent speeding and running red lights in the capital city.
Gerry Shimko, executive director of traffic safety with Edmonton, says that city has been using the cameras for years, and they've dramatically improved driver safety.
Alberta Integrated Traffic Units focus on young drivers’ safety
July 10, 2017, Red Deer Express (RED DEER, ALBERTA)
School may be out for the summer, but road safety is still in.
The RCMP in Alberta remind young drivers travelling on Alberta roads and highways to exercise caution and avoid distractions. The month of July can be a dangerous one for motorists, especially for young drivers who are most involved in fatal collisions during this month.
'Just not right': Motorcycle permit system needs change, says training centre director: Not-for-profit training foundation said more mandatory training needed for motorcyclists
July 7, 2017, CBC News (LONDON, ONTARIO)
Being able to drive a motorcycle without a road test is "just not right," says the director of a training centre that trains thousands of motorcyclists each year.
Anyone that's 16 or older who passes a written test on traffic safety along with a vision test can ride any motorcycle on roads up to 80 KM/h in Ontario during the day.
Provincial award for two Halton police officers
July 6, 2017, Inside Halton (BURLINGTON, ONTARIO)
Two Halton Regional Police officers have won a provincial award for their efforts to keep Halton’s roads safe.
Commercial Motor Vehicle Unit constables, Pat Martin and Scott Oldfield, recieved the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) 2017 Traffic Safety Award of Excellence for their dedication to promoting vehicle safety.
Vancouver to consider whether lowered speed limit 'makes sense'
July 6, 2017, CTV News (VANCOUVER, B.C.)
As Montreal prepares to lower speed limits in certain areas to as low as 20 km/h, officials in Vancouver will be watching with interest.
Earlier this week, Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre announced plans to decrease speed limits to 40 km/h on major roads in the city centre and 30 km/h in residential areas by 2019.
Supreme Court keeps door open to challenges of drunk-driving law, B.C. lawyer says
July 6, 2017, CBC News (VANCOUVER, B.C.)
Canada's highest court has upheld a series of B.C. judgments limiting the options for alleged drunk drivers to challenge the lawfulness of police demands for breath samples.
Thursday's split decision from the Supreme Court of Canada in the case of Dion Henry Alex found that if a breath sample was properly obtained, Crown prosecutors don't need to prove that an officer was legally justified in taking that sample.
Ads aim to dispel myth that driving on cannabis is acceptable
July 6, 2017, CBC News (OTTAWA, ONTARIO)
The Liberal government is preparing an ad campaign especially targeting young Canadians who think that driving under the influence of marijuana is acceptable.
Public Safety Canada is looking for a creative agency to produce spots for the $1.9-million campaign, to be rolled out before recreational cannabis becomes legal next summer.
SGI suing bars that served impaired driver who killed Saskatoon family
July 6, CBC News (REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN)
Saskatchewan's public auto insurer SGI filed a statement of claim Thursday against two bars that served the impaired driver who killed the Van de Vorst family of four in January 2016.
The legal action, filed in Saskatoon Court of Queen's Bench, is the first of its kind in Saskatchewan.
Volvo's New XC60 Becomes Camera in the Hands of Pulitzer Prize-winning Photographer
July 6, 2017, Newswire.ca (GUTHENBURG, SWEDEN)
Volvo Cars, the premium car maker best known for its leadership in safety, has teamed up with three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer and artist Barbara Davidson for a world-first - using the on-board safety cameras of the new Volvo XC60 to create a special collection of photographs.
Windsor wunderkind meets Queen Elizabeth, wins young leader award
July 5, 2017, CBC News (WINDSOR, ONTARIO)
Alexander Deans has seen the recently retired Bishop of London wear Snapchat glasses and had a private conversation with Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace. Next he's considering a trip to a private island set aside for inventors.
National Injury Prevention Day raises awareness about predictable and preventable injuries through education
July 5, 2017, Bay Today (NORTH BAY, ONTARIO)
Wednesday July 5th marks the launch of an important day for all Canadians. It is the first 'National Injury Prevention Day' to help 'build awareness of the devastating impact of injury.'
Statistics indicate injury is the number one killer of Canadians aged 1 to 44, with one child dying every nine hours.
Montreal mayor's plan to reduce city's speed limits praised by cyclists and pedestrians
July 4, 2017, Montreal Gazette (MONTREAL, QUEBEC)
By 2018, Mayor Denis Coderre hopes to see lower speed limits across the island of Montreal.
It’s a step in the right direction, said Véronique Fournier, spokesperson for Piétons Québec. But more needs be done to ensure pedestrian safety, such as creating roads allowing greater space for pedestrians and cyclists.
Canadian Events & Conferences in 2017
Road Safety & Risk Management for Bicycle Facilities Workshop – Ontario Traffic Council
Toronto, Ontario
September 21, 2017
Moving Forward Together – Collaborating with Experts to Make School Zones Safer
Toronto, Ontario
October 2, 2017
Canadian National Driver Rehabilitation Conference
Charlottetown, PEI
October 12-13, 2017
Parachute Vision Zero Network’s 2nd Annual Summit
Toronto, Ontario
October 16-17, 2017
National Teen Driver Safety Week
Across Canada
October 15-21, 2017
Not by Accident / arrive alive DRIVE SOBER Joint Conference 2017
London, Ontario
October 23-24, 2017
Ontario Road Safety Forum - Second Meeting
Toronto, Ontario
November 15, 2017
CCMTA 2018 Annual Meeting
Quebec City, QC
June 3-6, 2018
CARSP Conference 2018
Victoria, BC
June 10-13, 2018