RESEARCH - Driving While Ill is Impairing

Lloyd's TSB LogoLloyd's TSB Insurance commissioned a study that suggests driving with a cold or the flu can impair a driver by up to 11%, comparable to having consumed a double of hard liquor. A single sneeze lasts about 2 seconds, during which the driver's eyes are closed. At a speed of 80 km/h this will mean a travel distance of almost 45 meters.

The Sun Gets in Your Eyes

SunThis is a dangerous time of year for my morning commute. The sun is just above the horizon and in four locations I am looking directly into it while I drive. Even with my visor down and one hand up to block the reflection from the hood, it is still very difficult to see ahead of me.

RESOURCE - Child Restraint Public and Consumer Information Notices

Transport Canada New LogoTransport Canada publishes two types of notices with regard to child restraints on their web site. A Public Notice is issued when products do not comply with safety standards or are defective and a Consumer Information Notice is issued when there is a general problem with a restraint that does not relate to compliance or defect.

VIEWPOINT - Moving Toward a Culture of Safety

Texas Transportation Institute LogoI couldn't have said it better myself! This short article by Dr. Robert Quinn Bracket explains that the conventional wisdom of emergency medical measures, engineering and enforcement can only go so far in the reduction of crash related trauma. Until we all embrace a culture of traffic safety rather than one of acceptable risk, there will no longer be significant gains in harm reduction.

RESEARCH - Criminals and Road Safety

MUARC LogoResearchers at the Monash University Accident Research Center (MUARC) have looked at the relationship between the criminal activity of individuals and the potential for their involvement in fatal or serious injury collisions. Not surprisingly, they found that those who engage in anti-social behaviour are also likely to exhibit risky driving behaviour.

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VIDEO - Electronic Stability Control

ESC LogoElectronic Stability Control (ESC) is a technology that should be standard on all vehicles. The system compares the driver's intended direction of travel with the actual travel of the vehicle many times per second. If they do not match, selective braking is applied to force the vehicle back to the intended path, averting a collision.