Around Oakville

Oakville Ontario is an active community - we will post the latest information on roads, driving and general information about Oakville:

For the latest in Road Safety Tips or a Little Driving Humour follow us on twitter.

Discover the Latest Happenings in Oakville!!!

March 10, 2010 

Not getting the message - It appears some drivers in Halton didn’t get the call telling them about the Provincial ban on using hand-held cell phones, or they decided to ignore it.

Halton Regional Police recently issued a press release citing an incident in which a Milton man tried to turn his car left with a phone to his right ear and piece of paper in his hand. And a Burlington woman breezed through a red light while chatting on the phone.

“It’s scenarios like these that create a recipe for disaster,” Sgt. Brian Carr stated in the release.

Halton police issued 245 tickets last month under the distracted driver law, which came into effect on February 1. They included:

• 139 tickets issued in Burlington

• 57 tickets issued in Oakville

• 37 tickets issued in Milton

• 13 tickets issued in Halton Hills

To read the full article in Inside Halton click here.

June 25, 2009

Slow down for the kids - a letter written to the Editor of the Oakville Beaver.  Summer is once again upon us and children are flocking outside to enjoy the sunshine after a long winter.  The author urges motorists to slow down in residential areas watching with extra care for little ones who are out playing, potentially darting into streets after balls or simply losing control on their of their bicycles. 

She goes on to indicate that research shows increases in speed increases the risk of injury.  She indicates that a pedestrian struck by a car travelling at 50km/h has an 80% chance of being killed...yet a child hit by a car at 30km/h has up to 95% chance of surviving. These statistics come from the World Health Organization - Speed Management: A Road Safety Manual for Decision-Makers and Practitioners.  Geneva, Global Road Safety Partnership, 2008: 4-5. 

As an adult and a licenced driver, the onus is on you to maintain and operate a motor vehicle in a responsible manner.  Children are incapable of being responsible for their own safety on the road.   To read the complete Letter to the Editor in the Oakville Beaver click here. 

June 19, 2009

Police increaseing enforcement at Oakville's riskiest intersections - This initiative is dubbed the "Red Light Safety Project.  Police will be increasing their visibility at the Dundas Street intersections of Trafalgar Rd, Eight Line and Ninth Line as well as at the Upper Middle Road intersections of Trafalgar Rd, Eith Line and Ford Drive - this initialive will begin immediately and run until July 3rd. 

The reason these areas are of interest is purely statistical.  From January to May, police recorded 143 motor vehicle collisions in these areas with the majority of the accidents being intersection related.  As this number makes up 14% of all collisions in the Oakville area, police have decided these areas deserve some extra attention. 

Police will enforce road safety at these intersections with special attention paid to those who drive aggressively, run red lights, follow too closely and speed.  Police presence will be highest during the morning and afternoon rush hours.  To read the full article in the Oakville Beaver click here.

June 17, 2009

Last week's tragedy involving a 16 year old Burlington student has cast a cloud over what should have been a joyous time in the life of a young man.  Those who care about this teen can only watch, wait and pray that their friend, son and brother will pull through after having suffered a serious head injury while "car-sledding" in a church parking lot last week. 

YouTube - creates a worldwide stage for thrill-seekers to post their latest exploits in high-risk behaviour - in this case - high speed stunts behind homemade sleds and skateboards - on land, water and snow...!!!  What is missing from these videos are the growing number of teen fatalities and life-altering injuries associated with such foolhardy acts.  To read the full story in the Oakville Beaver click here.

June 15, 2009

NOTICE OF ROAD CLOSURE
CORNWALL ROAD BETWEEN
MAPLE GROVE ROAD AND FORD DRIVE
As part of the Cornwall Road Improvements, Maple Grove Road to Winston Churchill Blvd., Canadian National Railway (CN) will be making track modifications of their at-grade crossing on Cornwall Road 90 metres west of Ford Drive. These track modifications are scheduled to take place during the evening of Saturday June 27, 2009 (8:00 pm to 8 am) and Sunday June 28, 2009 (8:00 pm to 8 am if required), during which time the road will be closed to through traffic.
Please be advised that during the closure, Cornwall Road between Maple Grove Road and Ford Drive will be impassable by traffic and pedestrians, with the exception of local traffic (see map on reverse for detour route).
Every effort will be made to minimize the effects of this closure. Please exercise caution and obey all signage for your safety.
We thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding during this construction period.
For more information:
Dave Johnson, C.E.T. Project Leader – Capital Projects -- Department of Engineering and Construction
Phone: (905) 845-6601 ext. 3326

June 10, 2009

A 64 year old Oakville man is facing a charge of impaired driving after a vehicle was stopped for allegedly travelling the wrong way on HWY 407 on Friday. To read the complete story in the Oakville Beaver click here.

May 29, 2009

Hailing a Cruiser - Letter to the Editor of the Oakville Beaver - Halton Regional Police recently scuttled its practice of placing taxi-style lights a top some unmarked cruisers in a bid to nab speeders and aggressive drivers after some mebers of the public complained it was an unfair tactic.

Was it Fair Practice or Not...???  To find out what the author of the letter felt click here to read more.

May 29, 2009

The Halton Regional Police Service has taken a driver and his vehicle off the road for travelling 67 km/h over the posted speed limit in Oakville.  Incredibly the 40 year old Milton man took a 2008 BMW M4 out for a test drive and was subsequently pulled over on Wyecroft Road after a being clocked doing 117 km/h in a 50 km/h zone.  This offense carries a charge of stunt driving. To read the full article in the Oakville Beaver click here.

May 28, 2009

Full Closure of Bronte Road aka Regional Road #25 from May 30th to June 1, 2009 Friday @ Midnight to Monday morning 5am to facilitate QEW structure removal work.  Bronte Road Southnound (Regional Road#25) will be closed at the ramp to QEW Hamilton-bound, and Bronte Road Northbound will be closed at the QEW Toronto-bound.  Local access to QEW will be maintained.

Bronte Road Northbound and Southbound Detours will be via Wyecroft Road, Third Line and North Service Road.  QEW and access ramps will remain open. 

May 28, 2009

QEW Construction Update - The two Oakville portions of the QEW expansion projects are well underway and on schedule.  The first Oakville portion - widening from Burloak Road to Third Line was awarded to construction firm AECON for $79,800,000.  The second, widening from Third Line to Trafalgar Road, a $97,000,000 project was awarded to Dufferine Construction.  The widening projects will allow HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) Lanes in both directions.  Completion of the entire project is scheduled for summer 2011.  To read the full article in the North Oakville Today paper - click here.

May 22, 2009

Aiming for Road Safety - The National Campaign, which ran from Tuesday May 12 to Victoria Day saw Halton police issue 10 roadside suspensions, four charges related to impaired driving and 28 seatbelt charges.  A total of 566 people were ticketed for speeding and 11 people were ticked for disobeying traffic signal devices.

Canada Road Safety Week is a national safety campaign by police units across the country.  Its goal is to make Canada's roads the safest in the world by 2010...!!!

May 22, 2009

Safety First - The result of recent police safety blitzes in Halton reveal some disturbing statistics about the number of unsafe trucks and passenger vehicles travelling our roads.  In the weeks leading up to and including Canada Road Safety Week (May 12-18), Halton Regional Police have been involved in a variety of initiatives to remind all motorists that safe roads don't come by accident.  To read the full article in The Oakville Beaver please click here.

Some of the key elements taken from this article were as follows:

1.  Drivers are encouraged to call 911 if they suspect another motorist is driving dangerously or while impaired.

2.  There is a focus being placed on ERASE - which stands for Eliminate Racing Activity on Streets Everywhere - this program began in April and runs through to September.

3.  In the end...the starting point to improving road safety in Halton lies in each face that is reflected in every rearview mirror of all of the vehicles that pass through the region...!!!

April 20, 2009

Brand new Youth Centre Opens in Bronte.  The centre located in the Bronte Plaza at 2296 Lakeshore Rd. W. - The Centre is open on a drop in basis.  Currently it operates Tuesday through Thursday from 3-6pm and Friday and Saturday from 3 to 11pm.  As of May 1st the hours will be extended from 3-8pm  Tuesday through Thursday.  The Centre is for teens 13-19 years old.  It offers a wide range of programs and services such as homework help, resume writing and job search workshops, community volunteer opportunities and free activities such including movie nights, cooking/baking classes.  For more information about the Bronte Youth Centre please contact Lavecchia @ 905-582-3592. 

April 18, 2009

Region eyes six major road improvements - Six major regional roads projects got the go ahead by Halton Region Council's planning committee Wednesday with no debate.  The proposed projects can be viewed by reading the full article in the Oakville Beaver.

April 17, 2009

Great article in the wheels section of the Toronto Star - called "Top 10 forgotten rules of the Road" - click here to read more! 

April 15, 2009

Ontario's OPP have started their Seat Bealt Blitz - So Buckle Up - Those who choose not to are looking at $110.00 fine plus loss of demerit points.  If there is even a 1% increase in compliance with the seat belt laws - lives will be saved. To read more about the seat belt laws - click here. 

The seat belt blitz - includes safety checks on child seats and restraints being properly installed in vehicles.

April 14, 2009

Follow the Ministry of Transportation on Twitter to get the latest information on Unscheduled Road Closures and Events for Ontario Provincial Highways - twitter name: twitter.com/_mto

April 12, 2009

 Man seriously injured in traffic mishap - Collision happened on 9th Line just North of Burnhamthorpe Rd.  Click on the picture to read the full Toronto Star story.

April 10, 2009

Unconfirmed report...The proposed construction to Lakeshore Rd, has potentially been postponed to help local Downtown Merchants during these crazy economic times.  Decision now rests with Town Council. For more information click here.

April 9, 2009

Witness of Collision which ultimately killed an 86 year-old great grandmother are asked to come forward - Article in the Oakville Today - read more.

April 9, 2009

Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn introduces Lemon bill a new private member bill taking aim at defective cars, which are being pawned off on Canadians by their American manufacturers.  The 'Motor Vehicle Dealers Amendment Act (Disclosure of Lemons) was introduced by Oakville MPP Ken Flynn to the legislature last week. Article by the Oakville Beaver - read more. 

April 8, 2009

Upcoming Road Construction in our Neighbourhoods!

• Cornwall Road will be improved between Maple Grove and Winston Churchill Boulevard.  Construction will begin early in 2009 with modification to the Joshua Creek bridge, including the addition of a new stand-alone pedestrian bridge (immediately south of the exisiting bridge) and the construction of a new bridge at Clearview Creek.
• Ford Drive between Cornwall Road and Constance Drive will be improved in 2009 in combination with Cornwall Road reconstruction work.
• Linbrook Road - Design work is underway for the reconstruction of Linbrook Road between Chartwell and Morrison roads.  The community can learn more about the proposed improvements at a public information meeting held in the spring.
• Water Street - Design work is also in progress for the reconstruction of Water Street between Navy and Robinson Streets.  The proposed improvements include changing the exisiting road to a two-lane, urban style cross section with on-street parking.  Concrete sidewalks and curbs are planned for both sides of the roadway, and street lighting will also be improved throughout the area.
• Lakeshore Road is being resurfaced from Navy to First Streets.  This is a multi-year project that is expected to be completed in 2010.  Town engineers are finalizing staging plans for the work and continue to coordinate with the Downtown BIA.  Two sections of Lakeshore Road will be resurfaced in 2009:  Between Navy & Dunn streets and between Allan & First streets.  A public information meeting will be held in the spring.

A list of all current Town projects is available by clicking here.  You may also contact the Town's Engineering and Construction Department at 905-845-6601 ext 3302 or 3398.

This article is courtesy of "Let's Talk Oakville" - All The Latest News From Your Mayor And Council - Volume Two - Issue 1 - Winter 2009

April 5, 2009

Help Keep Our Streets Clear and Safe

The Town of Oakville Uniform Traffic By-law 1984-1 carries fines ranging from $30 to $50 and states that no person shall park a vehicle:

• Where prohibited by signage
• In a designated fire route
• On or overhanging a sidewalk
• On a boulevard
• On a median strip
• Facing the wrong way
• Within one metre of a driveway
• To block another vehicle, or obstruct traffic, road repair or snow removal
• Longer than three hours unless otherwise signed
• Between 2 and 6am, Nov 15 to April 15

If you or your guest wishes to park longer than three hours temporarily...

Temporary On-Street Parking Permits are available from the Town for occasions such a paving or repairs to driveways, home renovations or short-term guests.  For one night of overnight on-street parking, please use the after-hours message service at 905-338-4394 to record your address, licence plate number and make of your car.

Requests for temporary on-street parking will only be considered for areas where parking is permitted.  More information is available by clicking here.

This article is brought to from "Let's Talk Oakville" - All the latest news from your Mayor and Council - Volumn Two - Issue 1 - Winter 2009 pg 14

As a side note:

DriveWise Oakville team supports the facebook group called - Allow overnight parking in downtown Oakville.  Prevent Drinking and Driving!

This issue was raised in a letter to the editor of the Oakville Beaver, which in turned spawned more letters to the editor both in favour and also opposed to allowing overnight parking.  There was commentary made regarding this issue in the Oakville Blogger site - to read the excerpt click here.

To read the ongoing commentaries or to support the efforts of this growing group please feel free to join the facebook page called - Allow overnight parking in downtown Oakville.  Prevent Drinking and Driving

April 4, 2009

By-law changes could give cab drivers more freedom - Article in the Oakville Beaver - read more.