Teen driver's death linked to Takata air bag problems

A teen driver who died a few days after a July car crash near Pittsburgh has been tentatively identified by the government as the eighth death in the U.S. due to an explosive air bag inflator made by auto parts maker Takata, federal transportation officials said Wednesday.

Although yet to be confirmed by the manufacturer, the 8th incident involved a model year 2001 vehicle that spent most of it service life in the high absolute humidity (HAH) region and had been under recall for many years. Read whole article.

For Takata recalls in Canada, please follow this link: https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/motorvehiclesafety/safevehicles-defectinvestigations-1433.html

Driving Tips - Winter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What makes the difference between an ordinary driver and a good one?

 

    •    An ordinary driver reacts to the road situations.
    •    A good driver anticipates crises and avoids them.

How should you prepare a vehicle for driving under winter conditions?

Driving in winter weather - snow, ice, wet and cold - creates a great challenge for vehicles and drivers. Keeping your vehicle in good technical repair reduces your overall chances for any mishap or disaster while driving - particularly in winter weather. To prepare your vehicle for winter driving give it a complete checkup.

Look for the following:

Electrical system

Battery - recharge or replace if the battery is weak. Also have the charging system checked.

Ignition - check for damaged ignition wires and cracks in the distributor cap.

Lights - check all lights (headlights, side lights, emergency flashers, directional lights, taillights, brake lights and parking lights) for proper functioning.

Brakes

Check brakes and adjust to ensure equal braking.

Tires

The traction between tires and roadway determines how well a vehicle rides, turns and stops, and is crucial for safe driving in winter. Proper tire selection is very important.

Use all-season radial tires only in areas that receive only light snowfall.

Use snow tires in areas that receive heavy snowfall.

Use chains on all four wheels when you expect severe snow and icy roads.

Check with your local Department or Ministry of Transportation office to see if the use of tire chains is legal in the region through which you are planning to drive.

Check tire pressure and if necessary restore it to levels recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. The pressure drops about 1 psi for every 5°C (9°F) drop in temperature.

Do not mix radial tires with other types.

Check tire balance and correct if necessary.

Check wheel alignment and correct if necessary.

Exhaust system

Check the exhaust system for leaks. A properly sealed exhaust system reduces the risk for carbon monoxide poisoning.

Keep the window in your vehicle slightly open when you're stuck in snow, and run the engine and heater to keep warm.

Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow. A blocked pipe can force carbon monoxide back into the car interior.

Heating/cooling system

Check the radiator and hoses for leaks.

Ensure that your vehicle always has a sufficient amount of antifreeze rated for the coldest weather.

Check the defrosters (front and back) to make sure they are working efficiently.

Windshield wipers

Ensure that windshield wipers function efficiently. Replace them if they are old or worn.

Fill the washer container with an antifreeze fluid and top it up frequently.

Fuel

Fill up the fuel tank before you leave on your trip.

Do not let the fuel level get too low - the driving time to the next gas station may take much longer than you ever expected, and if you get stuck, the car engine will be your only source of heat.

What should I include in a winter driving kit?

For more information on this topic, please visit Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety site:

http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/safety_haz/icesnow.html

The high cost of OB/GYN mistakes in Ontario

When OB/GYNs commit medical mistakes, negligence and malpractice, the stakes are uniquely high. The results can be catastrophic, heartbreaking — and often remain secret. A Star/Ryerson investigation.

 

 

Richard Lautens / Toronto Star 

“I personally direct more of my anger, blame and bitterness toward the system than I do the individual physician,” says Laura MacGregor, whose son Matthew suffered catastrophic brain injuries during birth. 

“There may be more lawsuits in other specialties for smaller amounts, but in obstetrics there are higher (settlements),” he says. “Surviving is significantly more expensive than dying.”

Obstetrics is considered the highest-risk branch of medicine, according to medical insurance figures paid by most physicians in Canada.

The national legal insurance fund for doctors, the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA), will charge individual obstetricians (with or without a gynecological practice) $72,456 in premiums in 2016 — an amount far beyond any other specialty. More than 80 per cent of that is subsidized by taxpayers, a recent Star investigation reported.

This year, the CMPA singled out obstetrics — the care of patients during pregnancy and childbirth — as the only medical specialty to receive its own specific education program aimed at improving patient care and reducing costs of litigation and settlements.

“In a baby case, the compensation takes into account an entire lifetime,” says Bell. “In other specialties, we are normally dealing with adults who generally are not neurologically compromised thus requiring less intense care, and the life span is usually considerably shorter.”

 

Pedestrian fatalities in Toronto hit 10-year high

Elderly pedestrians are taking the brunt of the increase, with 20 seniors killed on the streets of Toronto this year compared with six at this time last year.

Pedestrian collisions tend to increase during the winter as daylight hours are shorter and road conditions are worse.

With the rise in fatalities, the issue of pedestrian safety has come to the fore this year. In northwest Toronto, on the day police launched their annual back-to-school road safety campaign, a 14-year-old girl was hit and killed by a dump truck. In Mississauga, a memorial to a 4-year-old boy surrounds a stop sign near his school, where he was run down Nov. 20. The family of a 47-year-old woman is suing the TTC and a bus driver in connection with her death.

This year’s fatality statistic marks a 10-year high, with possibly the worst yet to come as the days shorten.

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/12/06/pedestrian_fatalities_in_toronto_hit_10year_high.html

STRYPE Barristers LLP Support the 5th Annual Under the Big Top for Autism Gala

Erin M. Neal and Jason E. Brown of STRYPE Barristers LLP at the Autism Gala.

A very successful evening with 600+ in attendance!!!

To date TEAM CJ has raised $400,000.00+

www.autismgala.com

Back to School Road Safety Campaign Kicks off

  David Tulis / AP Photo

TORONTO – Police departments across the Greater Toronto Area are reminding pedestrians and motorists to be vigilant crossing the street and in school zones as thousands of students head back to class this week.

Special attention will be paid to distracted drivers with a new set fine of $490 and three demerit points.

READ MORE:
http://globalnews.ca/news/2207805/road-safety-campaign-kicks-off-as-ontario-students-head-back-to-school/


READ MORE: 
Councillor Norm Kelly wants pedestrians to give drivers the finger