Drive Safely This Long-Weekend!

when a truck hits a car

 @OPP_News release reminds us to drive SAFELY this long weekend

Throughout 2012, 71 people were killed in collisions (within OPP jurisdiction) in which lack of occupant restraint was a factor and so far this year (as of March 25, 2013), eight traffic deaths have been attributed to this causal factor.

You can see what happens when a truck hits a car. This was careless driving. It could have been much worse.

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is committed to road safety. As a driver, your actions directly impact your safety and the safety of other motorists. With the Easter Long Weekend approaching, and as the weather improves, the roads get busier.

Here are some important tips to remember every time you get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle:

 Pay Attention to the Road
 • Distracted drivers are a safety risk! It is illegal in Ontario for drivers to use any handheld communication and entertainment devices (not exclusive to cell phones) while operating a motor vehicle. We have seen a decrease in the number of persons using handheld devices, but we are concerned about the large number of drivers who continue to engage in this dangerous activity.

Yep, the 2nd car passed,
as well. In a 500m distance.

 Buckle Up - Seatbelts Save Lives
 • All Ontario drivers and passengers must wear a seatbelt in a properly adjusted and securely fastened manner It's the law. Making sure your children are also secure in a properly installed child restraint is equally as important. Wearing a seatbelt properly will dramatically increase your chance of surviving a motor vehicle collision.

 Obeying the Speed Limits
 • Speed continues to be the number one cause of motor vehicle fatalities in Ontario. Slowing down, and obeying the posted speed limit, will reduce the number of fatal crashes and serious injury collisions. Are you doing your part?

 Slow Down or Move Over
 • Drivers must remember when passing an emergency vehicle stopped with its emergency lights activated in the same direction of travel, either in a lane or on the shoulder of a road or highway, to slow down and pass with caution. If the road has two or more lanes, you must move over into another lane, if it can be done safely.

Don't drink & drive
Remember somebody out there loves you
or your victim

 Don't Drink and Drive
 • Impaired driving continues to be among the leading criminal causes of death in Canada. The OPP conducts R.I.D.E. spot checks throughout the year to remove the threat of the impaired driver. Do your part by not drinking and driving.

 You can see the resultChief Superintendent Don Bell, Commander of the Highway Safety Division, reminds motorists that while our officers will be out in full force on our Provincial roadways this holiday weekend, traffic safety is in everyone's best interest. By working together we can make Ontario's highways the safest in the world!

Defensive driving - look around you!

Hinton Dodge has not responded to my e-mail complaint.
I'd like to know who this driver is. He tailed me, trying to check out the contents of my trunk for about 4 km.

I'm so tired of aggressive drivers...


On the way home from volunteering in long-term care. I was passed in a 70km zone, just beside Ian Millar's farm.

Deer hunting season begins - slow down

A scary story:
Deer hunt proposed for city
The Chronicle Journal
The number of deer in and around the city has led to problems such as increasing deer-vehicle collisions. The limited hunt is being proposed after the city ...

I would not want anyone hunting near my house. It is too dangerous, with our cats, and wildlife. Many do not understand, in the adrenaline of the hunt, how far a bullet can go.
I'd prefer some pros called in, the experts who write about safe hunting practices, and caution potentially dangerous citiots in rural place, like Muskoka Outdoors, or The Outdoors Guy, to cull the herd.
I've had friends with near-misses, and a bullet in their eavestrough.

Drive safely on our roads - somebody out there loves you

She was munching beside the highway

The deer are on the move. While they are busy into their rutting (mating) season, just to add to the chaos, hunting season begins in many places this week. Not yet gathered into their winter yards, where they huddle for warmth, they are roaming and skittish. There have been reports of incidents caused by deer on the highways and biways.

Foggy fall morning

It is no wonder, with the speed that some travel.

This morning brought a lovely touch of fog into the mix. P.S. For those who continue to use my intellectual property: All of these photos are mine,

© JENNIFER JILKS

Deer hunting season begins

Clever signage

There are tricks to figuring out if it is open season in your Ontario area. Not being a hunter, I simply wanted to know if our neighbour's buddies were on the warpath. He has 35 acres, and allows someone to hunt on his land, adjacent to ours. After a couple of calls to the OPP, we have determined that he lets them have a blind, and leave a canoe to get onto the Tay River. Unfortunately, neither of us know the edges of our properties. I have heard them duck hunting at 5:00 a.m. during that season. It was scary. Someone was there prior to deer season last year. It sounded terribly close.

The process?
Firstly, one visits the WMU maps to find your Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) on the map, e.g., WMU 67 (PDF).

Whitetail bound

Then you go to the Hunting Regulations Summary page [e.g., Deer (PDF)], to find the individual animal that they are hunting. Finally, I found that in our area, eastern Ontario, deer season is Nov. 7 - 20.

Eastern Ontario established a Deer Advisory Committee (EODAC), according to outdoors guy. The reason being that MNR data shows that deer densities in Eastern Ontario is at an average of 2.5 deer/KM2 in 2009 following two killing winters.

When deer populations were at their peak in eastern Ontario, deer densities got as high as 12 to 14 deer/km² in suitable habitat. The 2009 data shows that deer densities have declined to an average of 2.5 deer/km² in the WMU’s in eastern Ontario. The target population is from 5 to 8 deer/km². This target comes from the province’s Cervid Ecological Framework [PDF], a provincial policy document that guides the wildlife management in Ontario.

Jeff Morrison, of Outdoors Guy, told me that based on his experience, Eastern Ontario has seen a 25- 50% decrease in deer population over the past 3 - 4 years.

When driving keep your eyes moving and ensure you check the roadway ahead and ditches on either side as you travel. Remember to slow down, you can only see what your headlights illuminate and if you see a deer near the roadway there is probably another one nearby.
Be prepared to act because domestic and wild animals may be dazzled by headlights and freeze on either the road or ditch as your vehicle approaches, then suddenly bolt in an unexpected direction.
Motorists who collide with a wild animal must report the collision to the police if the damage is in excess of $1000. Anyone wishing to keep the animal that has been killed as a result of a collision must contact their local Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) office to obtain a Certificate of Reporting.

 Cervid

Spring formation of antlers on buck
-note his wound

-a term used to describe members of the cervidae family; a ruminant, the male having antlers.  The doe cares for the fawns alone. Male and female are segregated into gender-based groups. The antlers are shed in January or February in this part of S.E. Ontario.

Ontario has four wild cervid species: moose, white-tailed deer, woodland caribou and American elk.  Cervids are a highly valued and unique species group of Ontario's wildlife heritage.  They are considered by many as symbols of wilderness and are an important component of Ontario’s biodiversity. I posted previously about a memorial: a moose collision that took the life of an OPP member.

They are also very dangerous on our roads, if drivers do not drive proactively. Even deer weigh in at 100 - 300 lbs., never mind moose, and cause a great amount of damage to person and property.

Algonquin moose -from my photoshoot

Read my guest post: one victim had 50 - 75 pieces of glass shards taken from her face in the ER after a deer collision.

Watch the ditches, they often leap at intervals from the ditch.
Use your high beams at night; slow down. Expect the unexpected.

Elk tracks from our Algonquin Park trip
-just HUGE!

It could be bear, or wild turkey, too.

My Gravenhurst bear sighting

Yo, woman. What you want?

Turkeys are HUGE, too.

Driving Safety in Muskoka

Here are guidelines for drivers in Muskoka, for both happier tourists and townsfolk. Some are specific to Muskoka Lakes, some Ontario.

1. Slow down. Many people are visiting places with which they are unfamiliar, looking for turns that are new. Pass in a safe place. Be careful, somebody out their loves your victim.
   
2. Watch out for those on mechanical and motorbikes. Many like to bike, too many motorbikes like to pass unsafely, on a solid line, but our shoulders are not broad, our bridges narrow. Many have motorized wheelchairs, too.
3. Watch for those working on the highways, and those driving too slow of fast.  Understand that some are driving to work, others are working long days in stores, standing all day, or doing back breaking work for hydro, roads, and other services for which we taxpayers pay. They are repairing the roads for you and me.
4. Pass safely. You do not know what is around the corner. It could be an oncoming car, motorcycle, a truck, or a deer, moose or a bear: Bear Alert. Accidents in Muskoka.
5. Wait while someone turns: you don't know what is coming, a motorcycle crossing left in front of my car, or where you might end up. One guy (left) was in quite a rush to get by me! He just had to go on the gravel on the shoulder to pass. We have more space than in the city, but unpredictable places, with unstable shoulders. You could end up in the ditch.
   
6. Don't idle. You are polluting. It is illegal in several municipalities, and there is no reason not to shut off your engine. It stinks!
7. Penalties: drink and drive. Yes, this is vacation paradise, but the new blood alcohol content driving laws will kill you if the drinking doesn't! [3 dead: Recreation of an accident scene]
8.  When you hear a siren, pull over. It's the law in Ontario.
9. If you see a GREEN FLASHING LIGHT pull over => volunteer firefighter on a call. (It could be your home/cottage!)
   
10. When you see an OPP at the side of the road, pull over to the far lane. It's the law. Failing to move to the left earned him a $490 fineOttawa OPP are cracking down on motorists who fail to move to the left when ... "Be aware of the law, drive carefully and if safe to do so, pull over.
11. Cell phone ban: driving in Ontario. It is against the law to drive and use electronic equipment. According to Canada Safe, banned locales include: Newfoundland, Quebec, Nova Scotia and, now, Ontario.
12. Know your location for a 911 emergency. Cell phones do not always display this information.
13. Before going to the Emergency Room: have these things on hand. (Photocopies are good!)
14. Watch for wildlife: Understand that you will be hurt if you hit a large animal, even a turkey can do damage in a window.
    
    
    
    
    
    • When animals are observed ahead, slow down until safely past them;
    • Search for a second animal, close behind, after the first animal has been passed safely;
    • They like to feed on the edge of a meadow, crossing convenient roadways to find more forage. 
    • Use eye lead time and be aware when you are in an area that has wildlife, especially if signs indicating animal crossing are posted;
    • Do not overdrive your headlights; this will allow you to see an animal.
    

Be careful out there!

You must read this story if you drive Ontario roads! Many know how dangerous it is.


The warnings are clear in Near North country, but sometimes you just can't help it. Thanks to Gerry for permitting this guest post. (The photos are mine, however!)

Deer Accident

February 20th, 2010 | Author: Gerry Levasseur
 
        As much as I enjoy Mother Nature and all her critters, there is unfortunately a downside to living in her backyard. Following my wonderful surprise Birthday Party Dinner, my partner was hit by a big buck. This is insurance terminology. You don’t say you hit a deer but rather you were hit by a deer. You figure it out. Fortunately she is OK but her Toyota was destroyed. The deer hit the car in such a way that it flipped over the car but not till it broke the windshield and roof then flew off. The deer did not survive. The car stopped. 

   My partner had the presence of mind to turn on her 4 way flashers. She then pushed a chunk of the windshield off her chest then sifted thru the broken glass to get to her cell phone. She then called 911 for an ambulance and police while 3 cars past her without stopping. She called her Mom and me to meet her at the Hospital. Still in shock she even called her Brother-in-Law to come and pick up the deer. If a deer hits you, you own it, the police told us.

      We were at the hospital for 8 hours. She had no broken bones, did not need any stitches but we helped the nurse remove between 50-75 pieces of chard glass from her face. Her eye glasses most likely saved her eyes. Today there is little evidence on her face that she was in an accident. Unfortunately she did get jolted hard enough to prompt a whiplash and suspicion of a mild concussion. She is back to work part time but has many Doctors appointments to deal with all her aches, pains and headaches. She is very reluctant driving any vehicles which she will have to get over. She says she will never own a small vehicle again rather she wants a truck. In spite of my personal feelings for insurance companies, they have been very understanding, patient and cooperative.

Fawn in ditch from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.





People be careful out there! I am glad this story wasn't any worse than it could have been. Bambi grows up to be a big boy, you know! [See: “Hunters. You kill ‘em, we cut ‘em.” -city folks don't get it, nor do they understand Aboriginal hunters!]

These are big creatures, judging by the size of the tracks beside my boot. I posted previously about a memorial: a moose collision that took the life of an OPP member.

When you hear a siren

It is wise to review the 'right way' and the 'wrong way' when travelling in Muskoka.





Ontario law requires that drivers pull over when they hear the siren, or see the emergency responder. This is a phenomenal video that illustrates the danger in NOT moving over. Nearly 25 minutes long, it covers the law about pulling over, and how to do so safely. It is a must for all drivers to view as a refresher.


Pay attention to the road and the drivers around you. You might not be the most important vehicle on the road!


This video, A23-2 Parting the seas of traffic, shows the difficulty in getting though the traffic.

Cell phone ban & travelling in Muskoka

I must admit that I never really turn my cell phone on! There are a few people I know who never give the number out, except in extreme cases. Our new law bans the use of any handheld portable devices like a DVD or phone. The fine is up to $500, but will not be enforced, at the Minister's demand, until Feb. 1, 2010 (?!).

Research shows people are 4 times more likely to be in a crash, than those who concentrate on the road and their driving (Canada Safe). Of course, those who are not giving their full attention to their driving put us all at risk.

I am very happy with the new laws that make it illegal in Ontario to use such technology in a car, while driving. Now, I am sure I'll get some negative comments on this, as I did with the recent revision to the Ontario Drinking & Driving Laws.

Muskoka roads are fast: most are highways have a posted speed limit of 80 km/hour. But few follow this. There are those who drive 20 km below the limit (also dangerous, and these people should be reported), but this is a different story as frustrated drivers try to pass in unsafe conditions. Driving safley in Muskoka includes watching out for moose and deer, as well as small animals.

This man, above right, was sitting in heavy traffic in a small town, trying to make a left-hand turn while talking on his cell phone. Obviously, a contractor (his licence plate read: I FIXUM) and I know that people in this line of work spend a lot of time on the road. This is a problem in Muskoka, where many rely on contractors, who are incredibly busy. StatCan (StatCan, 2006) tells us that 80 % of these people not only drive to work, but we have a fair number of people who are in trades, and sales & service (80 %; StatCan, 2006), and many of these people drive about servicing customers, and doing work at customer's homes. Traffic can be dense on our two-lane highways, especially in the early morning and around 4 p.m., and this is when wildlife is active. The Sounds of Silence, the myth of rural Ontario.

Our roads are fairly flat, but they wind through the granite rock of Muskoka's Precambrian Shield, and provide unsafe driving conditions in, for example, the frozen rain and sleet of November weather. Then, when the snow hits, people get even crazier!

Who bans cell phone use?
According to Canada Safe, banned locales include: Newfoundland, Quebec, Nova Scotia and, now, Ontario.

Other countries in which a ban is in force for the entire nation:

Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil,Botswana, Chile, China, Czech Reblic, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovak Republik, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, UK. I include these, because, as with the US, the ban is limited to particular provinces and states, but it is not a nation-wide ban.

Drinking & Driving laws in Ontario

While some may think this post better belongs in My Reflections & Musings blog, I believe that the party attitude of cottage country needs an alignment. I have blogged a few times here about the tragic accidents that continue to occur, many due to drinking and driving and speed