Tuesday, April 8, 2008

LOOKOUT for the BIKES

What a beautiful day it was today. So nice that I saw a few motorcycles out and about.

Motorcycles are so rare to see in the winter that drivers tend to forget about them. The temperatures will soon be reaching "t-shirt" weather and bikes will be everywhere.

It's particularly important for drivers on the highways to start paying extra attention when changing lanes and performing other maneuvers that pose a risk to bikers in traffic at highway speeds.

Bicycle traffic is also beginning to appear on the city streets along with many other "nice weather" hazards such as kids outside playing near the road or pedestrians, dog walkers and joggers.

Human traffic should be aware of their surroundings enough to stay safe around motor vehicle traffic but many pedestrians or cyclists are killed or injured every year because someone made a poor judgment call or the driver didn't see the pedestrian or the pedestrian didn't see the car.

Just commit to always using a little extra caution while behind the wheel.

More on road safety at http://www.ezee.ca
Forklift Safety at liftright.net
Or see my photos at donssite.com

Monday, April 7, 2008

Red Light Camera and Seat Belt Fines

In this last week, two traffic control issues have come up in Toronto.

A Toronto Councilor wants to raise the fine for red light camera tickets to $1000.00 and drastically increase the number of cameras.

I would only agree to a higher red light fine if an officer witnessed and stopped the vehicle, I have always been against any traffic cameras.

The idea of raising the fine for seat belt violations to $1000.00 per person also came up in Ontario after 4 people were ejected from a van that rolled in Toronto.

Money, Money, Money. The OPP regularly set up seat belt traps at hidden on ramps, They are going to make a fortune at $ 1000.00 a pop.

Why don't they crack down on the shootings in the Jane and Finch area or home invasions and street violence elsewhere in the city.


More on road safety at http://www.ezee.ca
Forklift Safety at liftright.net
See Truck photos or my other photos at donssite.com
or see optical illusions or web animations

Friday, April 4, 2008

Aggressive Highway Driver

There is a dangerous behavior I encounter occasionally while driving a truck past highway entry ramps. Vehicles entering the highway racing past the end of the on ramp to get in front of the truck.

A guy in a pick up truck did it today when I was already going 60 mph in solid traffic, he almost clipped me as he passed then instantly slammed on his brakes to avoid hitting the car in front of me when the shoulder narrowed and he had to merge.


Luckily I wasn't carrying an unstable load because I had to hit my brakes to avoid hitting him.

He has stolen MY SAFETY SPACE and could have potentially caused a serious accident.

Some people just don't get it when it comes to road safety.

Road Safety tips at http://www.ezee.ca
Forklift Safety at liftright.net
or see my photos at donssite.com

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Flat tire on the highway

Well, I was heading into work today in heavy traffic bound for Toronto when I started to feel this sickening feeling "in the seat of my pants" then the dreaded sound like a small propeller driven airplane. A rapid flat tire, and I'm in the middle lane going 50 mph.

As I begin slowing and manage to get into the right lane, I see there's nowhere to go. No shoulder whatsoever but an entry ramp is coming up in about a quarter of a mile so I kept going to the ramp and got off as far as I could. Then got out and looked at my chewed up tire.

I don't get flat tires very often, so I wasn't really prepared to deal with it. The spare tire is mounted under the van, WHAT A STUPID PLACE to put the spare, rusted into place, there's no way I'm getting it off so I had to get towed in to get a new tire.

Luckily, (the only good thing about my day) Canadian Tire covered it and another tire under their road hazard warranty.

So, I get to work about three hours late, but at least I got there.

Things could have been much worse, It could have been snowing or raining, it could have been my front tire, I could have been going much faster and It could have caused an accident.

It goes to show that you have to be ready for anything while you are driving, you can never "let your guard down" in highway traffic.

Drive Safe,

Safe driving tips at http://ezee.ca
Forklift Safety at http://liftright.net
or see my photos at http://donssite.com