Distracted driving
Anything that takes your focus off the road is distracted driving. This includes using your phone, eating, reading, putting on make-up, or typing an address into a GPS.
Things can happen fast. Taking your eyes off the road for one second can mean the difference between avoiding a collision or being involved in one. Although one person is injured in a distracted-driving collision every half hour in Ontario, one third of all drivers in the KFL&A area report using a cell phone while driving. Deaths linked to distracted driving behaviour are higher than speed-related, drug or alcohol-related, and seatbelt-related fatalities.
For tips to avoid distracted driving, visit CAA.
Drowsy driving
It has been estimated that about 21 percent of fatal collisions involve drowsy driving, as it impacts reaction time, hand eye coordination, attention, and alertness. Even losing a few hours of sleep at night can affect your risk of being involved in a collision. Getting five to six hours of sleep instead of seven or more hours can almost double your risk, while getting less than four hours of sleep can raise your risk of collision 11.5 times. Despite these risks, about one fifth of Canadians have reported nodding off or falling asleep at the wheel.
Learn what signs to look for and tips to reduce drowsy driving.
Impaired driving
Drugs and alcohol can impair your ability to drive. Collisions caused by impaired driving are preventable.
Cycle safety
Cycling is a great way to be active and have fun. Cyclists are required to follow the rules of the road because bicycles are vehicles under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation provides information about bicycle safety, riding safely, and the law including the one-metre passing law. It has a handbook available with rules and safety standards for cyclists in Ontario as well as a young cyclist guide with kid-friendly safety tips and rules.
Bicycle helmets
An approved bicycle helmet that fits properly and is worn correctly will reduce your risk of injury or death, and it's the law if you're under 18 years of age.
- Two finger widths between your eyebrows and your helmet.
- Side straps make a ‘V’ where they meet under each ear lobe.
- One finger under the strap beneath your chin.
For more information, refer to the handbook and the young cyclist guide from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.
Pedestrian safety
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation provides safety information for pedestrians including crossing the street, using sidewalks and shoulders, and travelling by wheelchair or medical scooter. It also gives rules and tips for motorists and cyclists about driving near pedestrian crossovers and school crossings. The CAA provides information about vulnerable road users and direction for pedestrians and drivers including cyclists.
Snowmobile safety
Snowmobiles are powerful machines that can go faster than 100 kilometers per hour and weigh over 270 kilograms. Riders can be seriously or fatally hurt if they are thrown off, hit a fixed object such as a tree or go through the ice.
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation provides a handbook and additional related materials to tell you everything you need to know about driving a snowmobile in Ontario.
The size and power of snowmobiles makes them unsafe for children to drive. While there are 'kid-sized' snowmobiles, child injury experts do not recommend them. A child’s perception, field of vision, and motor and judgement skills have not matured enough to make it safe for them to drive snowmobiles.
To learn more about snowmobile safety, visit Parachute Canada.
All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) safety
All-terrain vehicles (ATVs), also known as quads, are powerful machines that require strength and skill to operate. It is important to always wear a helmet, protective gear, obey the laws, know and understand your ATV or other off-road vehicle. Riding safely and responsibly can help prevent serious injury and death. Organizations like the Ontario Federation of ATV Clubs, help to develop trails and ensure safety of drivers.
To learn more about ATV safety, visit Parachute Canada.