Ian has some very obvious points.  As spring has sprung!! our attention turns to more outdoor social activities after our nasty Canadian winter!  Im patients increases for whatever reason.  I have personally witnessed at my neighborhood traffic likes just such eventws.  We have one of those intersections where you sit at the RED light for what seems like hours before it changes…We all have one, maybe two in our hood.  The configuration of this one is a T intersection.  Drivers will sit at this light and well, after no signs of it changing and no traffic…oh thanks good they have the sense to make sure the way is clear..proceed to turn onto the through street.  As for all way intersections…please…lets not get started on that one.. Anyhow, have a boo at Ian’s article… http://www.wheels.ca/columns/article/806395

Left turn, across path of approaching vehicle (5) No driver or operator of a vehicle in an intersection shall turn left across the path of a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction unless he or she has afforded a reasonable opportunity to the driver or operator of the approaching vehicle to avoid a collision. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 141 (5).

There are many app’s out there, here is another one that allows a parent or whomever to track their teen new driver!!  There are a variety of these out already…but folks they only work if the work…if they are activate… I tell you what though, although these are interpreted as a “big brother watching me device”  they do serve a purpose. 

Here is a thought…would you religiously agree to use a device for your new driver over a period of 2 years if if meant a reduction in insurance..but not a increase based on the data collected?

On another note…would you agree to use such a device for the senior mature driver if it meant they could perhaps keep their licence longer…assuming that are none of the usual medical conditions existing…

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/car-life/gizmos/a-driving-app-that-allows-you-to-track-your-teen/article2342419/

This is an issue that is only going to become more of a hot topic in the very near future.  As I am the last year of the boom, I see my relatives and friends parents starting to go through this already.  The burning questions are  whether this has to do with cognitive ability or driving ability or shear fear!  I have a feeling its at least one…maybe more.. There are many opinions out there…what are yours?  Love to hear your thoughts…

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1134253–ontario-says-tougher-rules-expected-for-drivers-with-dementia?bn=1

In Jim Kenzie’s article ”This driving pet peeve is a ‘pedestrian’ issue”  he hits some very valid points regarding the attire worn by every folks at night.  It is also difficult to see the ped clad in black on a sunny day when you drive down a road where natural shadows are created by such things like the canopy cover of the trees.  But back to the issue of night time.  There is a simple concept that has been around since Jim was a boy! that is referred to as over driving your head lights..In short this is driving faster than you could stop if an object was to appear in you headlight beams.  So a few simple things to keep in mind when driving at night..regardless of the weather…first…slow down, reduce your speed by 10 kmh in dark residential areas and second..use your high beams when legal…folks if you are the only other vehicle on the road…use them…refer to you provincial or state laws for required distances…but in Ontario you must lower you high beams when you are within 150 metres of an approaching vehicle and 60 metres when approaching another vehicle from behind…oh one more thing…and this is for the pedestrians, look both ways before you cross and always walk facing traffic when there is no sidewalk… http://www.wheels.ca/article/802742

Jim Kenzie has been a columnist for Wheels for many years.  He always has a different opinion/view on things.  His latest column speaks to the tragic crash in Stratford. ”Ban 15 passenger vans? How about banning stop signs instead?” What we will never know are the answers to such questions as: If the driver had driven this road before, how did he not know the stop sign was there? or, Was the sun close to the horizon which impeded the view of the stop sign?. Was the driver distracted? We will never know.  But our of tragedy usually comes a lesson.  http://www.wheels.ca/columns/article/802634

I have to wonder how many of these drivers have never driven in an adverse condition before.  It is not acceptable to report that a one point a collision took place every minute.  90% all collisions are driver error…the remaining 10% is comprised of road conditions and mechanical failure…lets do the math..9 out 10 times…the human did something to cause the crash.  Funny how a person on their way to the car slips on the ice or snow but disconnects when they get behind the wheel!!  http://livenews.thestar.com/Event/Toronto_Now_-_Jan_13_2012

DriveWise Oakville Update: The December 27,28,29,30 course has had a run on enrolments..going fast.4 seats left. January 3,4,5,6 feeling the over flow!! Even the semester turnaround Febfuary 2,3,4,5 course is filling up…what gives?? www.drivewiseoakville.com

Where does speed and fog equal 52 pile up….

Recently Lorraine Sommerfeld sat through my September Weekend Driving School Program in Oakville.  On breaks we had the opportunity to chat about how the DE industry has evolved….or not.  To make a long blog short! that was why she was here at DriveWise Oaville. See how we faired in her article…  http://www.wheels.ca/article/800580