It’s safer to back into parking spaces.

It’s safer to back into parking spaces. Why most don’t drivers do it? (Excerpts from an article by Ben Yagoda)

There are several theories, but little evidence, as to why Americans don’t often back in. How technology can help us back in: There is hope for people with bad spatial skills: rear-view cameras.

 

 

Ben Yagoda
Backed in cars on the University of Delaware campus.

Every year, some 300 people are killed and 18,000 are injured by drivers who are backing up, usually in driveways or parking lots. There’s a simple way to prevent a lot of these accidents: We could back into parking space so that we don’t have to back out.

In a parking lot, the AAA thinks we should back in, recommending that “drivers reverse into parking spaces whenever possible, except where prohibited by law or parking lot restrictions.”

And yet most of drivers don’t do this.

In “Predicting productivity gains from parking behavior,” a 2014 article published in the International Journal of Emerging Markets, author Shaomin Li, a professor of management at Old Dominion University, describes visiting Taiwan. He notices that, in contrast to the US, most drivers there backed into spaces: “Needless to say, back-in parking takes more time and effort than head-in parking. Yet, it is easier, quicker, and safer when exiting. Thus we may conjecture that people take the trouble to back in demonstrate the ability to delay gratification; they want to invest more time and effort now so they can enjoy the fruits of their labor later. They demonstrate a culture of long-term orientation.”

Li took photographs of how cars were parked in US and Taiwan lots, and had friends do the same in the so-called BRIC countries—Brazil, Russia, India, and China.

The percent backed-in was:
US: 5.7
Brazil: 17.1
India: 25.4
Russia: 35
Taiwan: 59.4
China: 88

Read this interesting and informative article by Ben Yagoda, professor of journalism at the University of Delaware and the author, most recently, of The B Side: The Death of Tin Pan Alley and the Rebirth of the Great American Song.

Pokémon Go and Pedestrian Safety

Historically, when individuals think about video game injuries they may be thinking of carpal tunnel syndrome, eye strain or possible fatigue, as gamers play for hours on end in the comfort of their own homes. However, with the recent launch of Pokémon Go into Canada, gamers, pedestrians and motorists alike, need to be aware of the increased caution that is needed on roadways as more people immerse themselves in the virtual world, while physically walking around in the real world.

Pokémon Go was released in Canada on July 17, 2016 and is a free-to-play, location based, augmented reality game developed by Niantic for IOS and Android devices. In the game, players use the smart device’s GPS and camera to capture, battle, and train one of the 151 virtual creatures, called Pokémon, that appear on the screen as if they were in the same real-world location as the player. As players travel around the real world, their avatar moves along with them on the game’s map. Players must physically travel to explore the game’s map, capture Pokémon, visit PokéStops to collect needed resources for your Pokémon trainer, or gyms, to battle other players and test their skills.

Sensor Tower, a group that analyzes mobile apps earlier estimated that the game is the fastest ever to reach 50 million global downloads across iOS and Android devices and now estimates that the game has crossed the 75 million download milestone earlier this week.

The share price of Nintendo Co., Ltd rose dramatically after the initial launch on July 6th, 2016, from $17.63 to an intra-day 52-week high on July 18th, 2016 at $38.25. The share price has since fallen back to about $29 on the date this article was written. Nintendo now sits at a market capitalization of around $36.74 Billion.

Within Toronto, pedestrian and road safety is an upmost concern for motorists and residents of the city. As of July 14, 2016, total pedestrian and cyclist deaths within Toronto for this year have reached 23. With the addition of games such as Pokémon Go, gamers, pedestrians and motorists should take extra care, to avoid contributing further to this rise in deaths.

For Gamers

1.    Remember to be alert at all times, be aware of your surroundings. This is also the splash screen message within Pokémon Go as the app opens, which can be applied to both awareness to capture Pokémon and player’s safety as they travel around the real world.

2.    Common sense. There have already been numerous reports of accidents related to players playing Pokémon Go, as people walk into revolving doors, trees, or not being fully aware when crossing a street, leading to personal injuries.

3.    Avoid Trespassing and show respect. In the quest for Pokémon, players have also been trespassing into restricted areas or places where they could be hurt, or hurt by others present at these locations. Some of these places include, court rooms, hospitals, and residential homes. Players should avoid trespassing into these areas, and allow clients, patients and homeowners their privacy.

For Pedestrians

1.    Awareness of others. If you are not playing Pokémon Go, be aware that others might be or are being simply distracted in some other way. This may result in pedestrians, abruptly stopping on the sidewalk, road, or while crossing a street.

2.    Any handheld device. When using any handheld device be aware when stepping away from curbs and on to the street as these devices may lead to distraction. As the saying goes, “look both ways before crossing the street”.

For Motorists

1.    Avoid playing Pokémon Go while driving. This may seem like common sense, however, there have already been accidents related to players driving while trying to capture a Pokémon. Avoiding playing while driving will improve the overall road safety for yourself and others.

2.    Awareness of others. Be aware that in high density pedestrian areas some people may make unexpected movements or not be fully aware of the real-world dangers that are present as they walk into the street or into a parking lot.

While the weather is nice this summer, more and more people will be out trying to catch them all. Remember when playing Pokémon Go, be respectful, be aware of your surroundings and be safe! As the saying goes, “the life you save may be your own”.

Feel free to contact me or any lawyer at Strype Barristers LLP and we would be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding issues arising from this new wave of entertainment.
Robert


Robert Ciriello, HBA, MBA, JD
Articling Student
Strype Barristers LLP
141 Adelaide Street West, Suite 1400
Toronto, ON, M5H 3L5
Tel: 416.214.2400 Ext. 2240
E-mail: Rciriello@strype.ca

Links to Other Articles
For more information on Pokémon Go, see the links below:

https://techcrunch.com/2016/07/11/pokemon-go-adds-9b-to-nintendos-value-global-rollout-continues-this-week/

http://www.gamespot.com/articles/pokemon-go-estimated-to-have-been-downloaded-75-mi/1100-6442180/

For more information on pedestrian and cyclist deaths within Toronto, see the link below:

http://www.metronews.ca/news/toronto/2016/02/04/pedestrian-and-cyclist-fatalities-in-toronto-2016.html

First Driver Death in Self-Driving Car Accident

Authorities investigate first driver death in self-driving car accident

A fatal collision involving a self-driving car has been recorded in Florida.

 

"WASHINGTON — The first American death involving a car in self-driving mode presents a dilemma: How aggressively to embrace the potentially life-saving technology after a fatal crash."

Read the full article here: http://www.nola.com/traffic/index.ssf/2016/07/driver_killed_in_self-driving.html 

Truck Safety

5 Driving Behaviours that are Factors in Fatal Crashes

1. Driver inattention

2. Failing to obey signs and signals

3. Driving too fast for conditions or driving above speed limit

4. Failing to stay in your lane




A manoeuvre by a car near a truck is very dangerous and is not the same as car on car.

TIPS:

Do not change lanes last minute, never cut in front of a truck.
Slow down and let the truck have the right of way.

The size of a large truck puts car occupants at risk of being killed in a crash.

"More than 320 people have died due to truck collisions in Ontario in the last five years, and the OPP say few of them were truck drivers. Between 2011 and 2015, there were 27,000 collisions involving transport trucks on roads patrolled by the OPP. 260 of those crashes resulted in fatalities, with a total of 321 people losing their lives.  Only 40 of those deaths were the drivers of the large trucks; the remainder being drivers or passengers of the other vehicles involved." http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/over-300-transport-truck-related-deaths-prompt-opp-initiative-1.2947085
 

New rules at pedestrian crossovers and school crossings in Ontario

"A new law in Ontario which came into effect Jan. 1, 2016 indicates drivers must remain stopped at a pedestrian crossovers or school crossings until the person crossing the street and the school crossing guard are off the roadway."

Read whole article, here: http://globalnews.ca/news/2431309/new-rules-at-pedestrian-crossovers-and-school-crossings-in-ontario/

A number of Ontario cities are beginning to install new crossovers this month.

Boating Accidents

Despite much more stringent licensing requirements in recent years, recreational vehicles such as boats are still involved in many accidents every year that result in catastrophic injuries and deaths.

 

Police urge safety on Ontario waterways amid increase in boating deaths

 

ORILLIA, Ont. — Provincial police say three times as many people have died in boating accidents on Ontario waterways this year compared to the same time in 2015.

The OPP say eight people have died in six separate incidents so far in 2016.

The primary source of compensation in many boat accidents are accident benefits from a homeowner's insurance policy. However, you may also have a claim against the driver who was responsible for the accident. This is known as a tort claim.

http://www.strype.ca/serious_accidents_boat_atv_accidents.h…
http://www.strype.ca/serious_accidents_tort_and_accident_benefits.html

Whether the most appropriate course of action is seeking accident benefits, pursuing a tort claim or seeking a third-party claim against the manufacturer of a recreational vehicle, our lawyers have the skills, knowledge and resources to seek the maximum rehabilitation and compensation on your behalf.

YOUR FIRST CONSULTATION IS ALWAYS FREE!

Email us or call us today at 416-214-2400 • 1-855-4-STRYPE.
http://www.strype.ca/serious_accidents_boat_atv_accidents.h…

Structure Collapse Accidents

Structure Collapse Accidents in the News: building, scaffolding, roof, stage, balcony railing, falling glass, ...

 

When structures are not built to code or properly maintained, they can collapse resulting in serious injuries and even death.

A building collapse, recently, in midtown Toronto has sent six people and one infant to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The façade of the building toppled onto Eglinton Avenue West during demolition work related to the Crosstown light-rail transit (LRT) project.

Here are some examples of structural collapse accidents to be found in news reports:

..."On June 23, 2012, part of the upper parking structure of the Algo Centre Mall in Elliot Lake Ontario collapsed causing, as alleged in the Plaintiffs’ claim, personal injury and property damage."

..."Construction project manager Vadim Kazenelson has been sentenced to 3½ years in prison for his role in a scaffolding collapse at a Toronto apartment building that left four workers dead on Christmas Eve 2009."

... "The collapse at Downsview Park crushed one of Radiohead's technicians to death and injured three others with the band. This isn't the first time an outdoor stage at a Canadian concert has collapsed, sometimes with fatal consequences. Several people were hurt last July when the stage at Ottawa's Bluesfest collapsed as Cheap Trick playing. In 2009, the main stage collapsed at Alberta's Big Valley Jamboree, near Camrose, killing one woman and injured several others."

If you or a loved one is suffering due to an injury sustained in a structure collapse, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Strype lawyers can help. We represent people and families who have suffered catastrophic injuries or wrongful death due to the negligence of others.

Let Us Explain Your Rights

Discuss Your Claim at No Cost or Obligation. If your career or lifestyle is threatened as a result of injuries you have suffered due to negligence, we can help you.

Contact our firm for a free consultation with a dedicated personal injury trial lawyer.

YOUR FIRST CONSULTATION IS ALWAYS FREE!
Email us or call us today at 416-214-2400 • 1-855-4-STRYPE.

Spring is here: It's motorcycle season!

The motorcycles are out of storage and back on Toronto streets. 

All participants in the traffic should be aware of the motorcycle riders who are back on the road. Unfortunately, this time of the year shows an increase in serious road accidents involving bicycles and motorcycles. Ontario Provincial Police says spring sunshine often brings a spike in motorcycle collisions. Read more about it here: http://globalnews.ca/news/2643474/spring-is-here-and-so-is-an-increase-in-motorcycle-collisions/

Whether on a motorcycle or a bicycle, if you have suffered injuries as a result of negligent motorists, you could be entitled to government-regulated accident benefits through your own automotive insurance policy as well as other benefits. Strype Barristers LLP, can help you get your benefits.

AFTER A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT, THE CLOCK BEGINS TICKING RIGHT AWAY

 

After an accident, you will need to file a report and request motorcycle accident benefits within 30 days of the accident. If you are a family member of an accident victim who is still hospitalized, it is important to talk to one of our Toronto car accident lawyers as soon as possible in order to meet important deadlines.

 In some personal injury cases, injury victims find it difficult to obtain rehabilitation and compensation for injuries. The trial lawyers at Strype Barristers LLP can help you get results. Motorcycle accidents often result in devastating injuries that can end careers and change lives forever.

We will work with our trusted medical team and the insurance companies to make sure you receive the treatment you need for serious injuries such as:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Serious orthopaedic injuries
• Severe back injuries

In addition to accident benefits and disability benefits, you may be entitled to additional benefits if you are not at fault in your accident. You may have a claim against the driver, known as a tort claim, who was responsible for the accident. We will work closely with you, making sure you understand all of the benefits available to you beyond your insurance.

To learn more about your rights after a bicycle or motorcycle accident, contact us for a free initial consultation with a Toronto motorcycle accident lawyer.

YOUR FIRST CONSULTATION IS ALWAYS FREE!
Email us or call us today at 416-214-2400 • 1-855-4-STRYPE. 

Toronto cops won't attend minor crashes

By Chris Doucette, Toronto Sun

TORONTO - Unable to keep up with the ever-increasing number of fender-benders in the city, cops have decided minor crashes will no longer be investigated.

Toronto Police say the new hands-off approach to minor collisions will be implemented starting next week.

“We’ve decreased the type of calls we’re going to respond to because of the rise in total number of collisions in recent years,” Const. Clint Stibbe, of Traffic Services, said Tuesday. “The current model is no longer sustainable.”

In 2015, cops responded to nearly 64,000 collisions — an increase of more than 6,000 crashes from two years earlier.

And Stibbe said about 70% of all crashes are minor.

As of next Tuesday, Stibbe said motorists involved in collisions where the combined damage is under $2,000 no longer need to notify police or a collision reporting centre.

Read whole article here: http://www.torontosun.com/2016/03/22/toronto-cops-wont-attend-minor-crashes

Ford recalls 29,300 Ranger pickups in Canada for airbag fault

Takata airbag recalls to grow as U.S. regulator takes over recall proces

Ford is recalling about 391,000 Ranger pickups, including 29,334 in Canada, because the driver's airbag inflators can explode with too much force and cause injuries.

Ford Ranger pickup trucks are being recalled after another death related to exploding Takata airbags. (David Zalubowski/Associated Press)

The recall covers trucks from the 2004 through 2006 model years in the U.S. and Canada.

Read more about it, here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/ford-recalls-29-300-ranger-pickups-in-canada-for-airbag-fault-1.3420414

Manufacturers must have quality control systems in place to prevent defective products from entering the market. They also need to provide adequate directions and warning labels to protect consumers.

When a dangerous or defective product injures an unwary consumer, one or more of the manufacturer, designer, distributor, wholesaler or retailer will be considered legally liable as long as the consumer was using the product as it was meant to be used when he or she was injured.

Strype Barristers LLP is experienced in helping determine who bears responsibility for product or manufacturing defects or inadequate warnings and information and then pursuing those responsible for the damages that their negligence has caused consumers.

In the light of recent massive auto industry product recalls and resulting lawsuits, Strype Barristers is ready to pursue those responsible for the damages that their negligence has caused you.

YOUR FIRST CONSULTATION IS ALWAYS FREE!
Email us or call us today at 416-214-2400 • 1-855-4-STRYPE. 

 

Driverless Cars: 2 Interesting Articles

Driverless Car Poll Finds Canadians Almost Evenly Split On Issue

 

 

 

 

 

This driverless Mercedes concept car was spotted on the streets of California in 2015. (Photo: Daimler AG)

If there was still any doubt that driverless cars are happening, the news coming out of the world's automakers this week ought to put it to rest.

Kanetix commissioned a poll to find out whether Canadians are ready to give up driving and jump into the driverless car world. The poll found Canadians are about as undecided on the issue, collectively, as you can be on any issue.

Read more about it in this Huffington Post article: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/01/09/driverless-car-poll-canada_n_8940228.html

Here's a quote from another interesting article on the subject of driverless cars and related ethical questions:

"The year is 2035. The world’s population is 9 billion. The polar ice caps have totally melted and Saudi Arabia has run out of oil. Will Smith is battling murderous robots. Matt Damon is stranded on Mars. Dippin’ Dots is finally the ice cream of the present.

You’re humming along in your self-driving car, chatting on your iPhone 37 while the machine navigates on its own. Then a swarm of people appears in the street, right in the path of the oncoming vehicle.

There’s a calculation to be made — avoid the crowd and crash the owner, or stay on track and take many lives — and no one is at the wheel to make it. Except, of course, the car itself."

Read the whole article, here: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/01/09/driverless-car-poll-canada_n_8940228.html 

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