Car Chick

CAA Worst Roads Campaign – Cast Your Vote by April 24

You are driving along, minding your own business when all of sudden you hit a pothole. Before you know it you are hit in the pocketbook with hefty repair costs to your vehicle. Damage caused by crumbling pavement or traffic congestion can mean repair bills ranging from $60 - $3,000.

To help motorists with this frustrating and often expensive issue, CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) has launched its 9th Worst Roads campaign.

“We want to know the worst road you have driven on in Ontario. Whether the issue is congestion, potholes, road signs, traffic lights or pedestrian and cycling safety, we want to hear from you,” said Faye Lyons, Government Relations Specialist, CAA SCO. “Your votes make a difference.”

“Over the years, CAA’s Worst Roads Campaign has been successful in creating awareness about the importance of our infrastructure to the Ontario economy, public safety and our quality of life,” said Rob Bradford, Executive Director, Ontario Road Builders’ Association. “When the public speaks, governments listen and the Worst Roads Campaign provides a way for the public to make its concerns known about our growing infrastructure debt.”

Help pave the way for safer roads – cast your ballots for the worst roads in Ontario at www.worstroads.ca until April 24th. Nominate as many roads as you like, but you cannot vote for the same road twice.

In 2010, Toronto roads held eight spots on the Top 20 Worst Road list. Since then, five of those roads have been or are scheduled to be repaired.

Meanwhile, due to the tremendous success of the initiative here in Ontario, the Worst Roads Campaign is also being rolled out in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

6 Winter Driving Tips You Can Use Today

With a blast of winter weather arriving in Toronto overnight, it seemed like a good time to remind motorists of tips for driving in challenging conditions when the roads are covered with snow and ice.

Weather conditions will vary across the country, but there are basic things drivers in every province can do to make sure they are safe on the roads. Ford is committed to being an industry leader for safety. To help Canadians stay safe on the roads, Ford is reminding drivers of the following winter driving tips:

1. Slow and steady: Remember to slow down and leave extra space between you and the vehicle in front of you. Also, avoid abrupt moves—don't stop, start, or change direction suddenly and you'll maintain better control of your vehicle in inclement conditions.

2. Goodbye cruise control: Never use the speed control in slippery conditions. If the weather suddenly becomes hazardous while cruise control is engaged, simply disengage it manually or lightly tap the brakes.

3. Get to know the safety alphabet: Become more familiar with vehicle safety features such as ABS, TC, ESC and RSC, to understand how they can help.

• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS): Apply firm, continuous pressure on the brake pedal and ABS may activate to help you maintain control of the vehicle. Do not pump the brakes on a vehicle equipped with ABS.

• Traction Control: This feature most often engages at low speeds. In the majority of winter driving  conditions, it is best to keep the traction control feature ON. However, in extreme conditions, for instance, deep snow or sheer ice, it may be better to turn OFF your traction control to get moving.

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC): ESC helps prevent your vehicle from skidding out or sliding laterally in slippery conditions.

• Roll Stability Control (RSCR): AdvanceTracR with Roll Stability Control. Helps to avoid a rollover in a collision situation.

4. Monitor tire wear: There are three important aspects when it comes to tires: pressure, tread wear and age.

• Tire pressure: Cold weather causes tires to lose pressure and become under inflated; meaning your safety on the road is compromised. Check your tire pressure regularly, especially when the temperature changes.

• Winter tires: The grooves in winter tires are about 30 per cent deeper than those in all-season tires, and they grip more effectively. All-season tires also start to lose their traction at around 8 degrees Celsius.

• Tire tread depth: Make sure your tires are in good condition, show no signs of irregular wear and have sufficient tread. If you see an issue, or are unsure what to look for stop by your local Ford store and have one of our tire experts inspect your vehicle to ensure you are confident and prepared for winter driving conditions.

• Tire age: Old tires can be unsafe, especially in the winter. It is recommended that tires older than six years be replaced.

5. Vehicle maintenance: Vehicles that have been regularly maintained according to their manufacturers required maintenance schedule should be ready for winter weather. If not, a visit to the local dealership to “catch up” on your required maintenance will ensure the vehicle is winter ready.

6. Read your owner's manual: All vehicles have different characteristics that will react to winter weather differently. This is a good time to check the manual for your particular vehicle's winter driving tips.

Which province boasts the most confident winter drivers?

Overall, Canadians are confident, prepared and careful winter drivers, according to a new study commissioned by Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited.

Nearly 80 per cent of Canadians say they are at least somewhat confident in their ability to drive in snowy or icy conditions and more than 85 per cent of Canadian drivers take extra precautions on the road by leaving extra space and decreasing their speed.

Other survey findings include:

• Drivers in the Prairies and married couples tend to be more confident, better prepared and more cautious drivers when compared to the rest of Canada. Albertans are the most confident winter drivers – 43 per cent say they are very confident when it comes to braving winter road conditions.
• Remember, being prepared is half the battle. Drivers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan are the most prepared drivers in Canada as they are more likely to pack essential and emergency tools like an ice scraper, booster cables, shovel, first-aid kit and extra shoes and clothing.
• It’s always good to have an emergency stash. Drivers in British Columbia are more likely than drivers in any other province to have extra food and snacks on-hand in case of emergency.
• Cars need “winter shoes” too. Canadians in Atlantic Canada (76 per cent) are more likely to install winter tires on their vehicles than any other province (not including provinces where installation mandatory) while less than half of Ontarians (44 per cent) do – the lowest number when compared to the rest of the country.
• Two heads are better than one. Married drivers are more cautious than single drivers when on the road:
  - 90 per cent of married drivers decrease their speed in snowy conditions versus 78 per cent of single drivers.
  - Married drivers are more likely to install winter tires on their vehicles than single drivers (68 per cent versus 51 per cent).

SGR's next Winter Driver Training Event, Sunday January 22, 2012

Now that the new year is here, why not resolve to learn how to drive more safely and ensure your loved ones are safe on the winter roads.

The next Sweetie Girl Racing Winter Driver Training event is set for January 22 at the Mosport Driver Development Track in Bowmanville, ON.

For more information and to register visit http://bit.ly/2012SGRADT1 or contact SGR.

How to Drive in Freezing Rain

After a green Christmas in Toronto, forecasters are expecting the first significant snowfall of the season. With the current rain/snow mix and temperatures fluctuating around zero, freezing rain is a definite possibility. Here are tips for driving in these dangerous conditions.

The first tip is, if you don't have to drive, stay home! Ice and driving don't mix, and in freezing rain conditions the roads become like a skating rink. If you've ever tried to walk across an ice rink, you know how difficult it is to avoid slipping. It’s the same with your car.

If you do have to drive, do so slowly and with extreme caution. Give your car a bit of gas, but avoid braking if possible –- this can just cause your car to skid and you will lose control of the vehicle.

Keep a large distance between you and the car in front of you. Since you want to avoid using your brakes, you will need to ease off the gas to slow your car which means your stopping distance will be much longer. The greater the distance between you and the other cars, the better.

Leave extra time. You'll need to drive more slowly, so leave extra time to reach your destination. Speeding just makes driving more dangerous for you and others on the road.

Respect the salt/sand trucks. In bad weather the salt and sand trucks will be out in full force. They are there to make road conditions safer so you are actually safer behind them then trying to pass them. Be patient!

Drive for the conditions. Snow tires and all-wheel drive vehicles can help in winter conditions, but you still need to drive with caution. Don't think you can speed or fly past other vehicles –- you could end up in a collision or cause one.

Use winter windshield wipers and fluid. In freezing rain conditions, the rain can freeze immediately on your windshield, decreasing visibility. Be sure to run the front window defroster and rear window defogger to help keep the rain from freezing on the windows. Windshield washer fluid with a freezing point of at least -40 degrees can also help. Winter wipers will help keep the wipers on the glass rather than running over ice that is forming.

Drive with snow tires. If you have not yet installed your snow tires, call your local garage and make an appointment! While they are designed for snow, they do have more grip in freezing conditions.

Drinking and driving don't mix

The holiday season is full of office parties and family get-togethers. With that, the chance of tying one on and driving is much higher. That is why CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) is urging drivers to plan a safe way home before the festivities begin.

“Don't let yourself or someone you love become another stat. Make safety a priority this holiday season, don't drink and drive,” said Silvana Aceto, Media & PR Specialist, CAA SCO.

CAA SCO recommends these holiday safety tips:

• Arrange for a designated driver
• Don't let friends drive drunk
• Call a cab
• Take public transit
• Stay overnight
• Call police if you see a suspected impaired driver

Meanwhile, for the past six years, CAA SCO has taken part in Operation Red Nose. The campaign offers safe rides home to partygoers over the holiday season.

Winter Driving 101

Winter is on the way and it won’t be long before our roads will be covered with a blanket of snow. CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) recommends drivers plan and prepare ahead for driving in cold and snowy conditions.

Get your vehicle ready for winter:

- Have your battery tested and replace weak batteries before they fail.
- Check your tire pressure and service your brakes.
- Make sure your wipers are in good condition.
- Pack an emergency kit.
- Install four matching winter tires.

“The right time to change to winter tires is when the temperature reaches 7°C or below,” said Silvana Aceto, Media & PR Specialist, CAA SCO. “In chilly weather, all-season tires turn hard and lose their elasticity. This causes reduced traction and results in longer stopping distances.”
 
Benefits of winter tires:

Winter tires help reduce braking distance on cold, wet, ice and snow-covered roads. Depending on the speed and the weather, the braking distance of winter tires can be up to 25 per cent shorter or two vehicles lengths compared to all-season tires. 

Winter tires contain silica which is a compound that keeps the tire flexible in cold temperatures and ensures excellent grip and braking on wet roads. Silica maintains its properties in low temperatures which help to maintain a firm grip on snow and ice packed roads.

Winter tires should only be installed in sets of four. With only two winter tires, your vehicle’s handling, stability, and braking are not fully optimized.

CAA Insurance policy holders save 5 per cent on their auto insurance premium when four winter tires are installed.

For all your winter driving needs visit your local CAA Car Care Centres.

How to handle a highway breakdown or collision

Every day, drivers call CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) for service because they have either been involved in a collision or their Ovehicle has broken down on the side of the road.

Ending up stranded on a busy highway can be nerve wracking and that’s why it’s so important to know what to do and how to stay safe in an emergency situation.

This week, CAA SCO, the Ministry of Transportation, the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, the Ontario Provincial Police and Toronto Police Traffic Services launched a “Stranded Driver” Campaign to educate motorists on how to handle a breakdown or collision.

What to do if your vehicle breaks down:

• Stay calm and pull off the road safely.
• Note your vehicle’s location. This will come in handy when calling for assistance.
• If you must get out of your vehicle, watch carefully for oncoming traffic especially at night or in bad weather.
• Never stand behind or directly in front of your vehicle, as you are at risk of being struck by drivers who might not see you.
• If you CANNOT pull off the road, turn on your emergency flashers.
• Call 911 for help.

“Don't assume other drivers can see you if you become stuck on the side of the road,” said Henry Westenbrink, Manager ERS Operations, CAA SCO. “That’s why it is important for drivers to prepare for the unexpected.”

“Drivers should make sure their vehicles are road-ready because breakdowns and collisions can occur when least expected,” said OPP Sergeant Dave Woodford, OPP Highway Traffic Safety Division. “If you do become stranded on a highway, remember, don't panic.”

The “Stranded Driver” safety checklist will be available at CAA Car Care Centres, select CAA Travel Stores and select ServiceOntario locations until the end of the year. Drivers can also download the tips at www.caasco.com/StrandedDriver and place the handy guide in their glove box.

Driving tricks for a safe Halloween

The house is decorated with jack-o-lanterns and cobwebs, the Halloween candy is in a bowl by the front door and the children’s costumes are picked out. One of the spookiest nights of the year is almost here and with so many ghosts and goblins out on October 31, it can be especially scary for drivers and pedestrians.

CAA South Central Ontario recommends driving tips to stay safe trick-or-treating:

• Be alert in residential areas after dark when most trick-or-treating takes place.
• Try to stay below the speed limit, use your headlights and give yourself extra time to get to your destination.
• Pay extra attention and be prepared to stop at any time.
• Watch for any children darting across the street or out from between parked cars.
• When pulling in or backing out of driveways pay particular attention for children on the sidewalks.

Halloween tips for parents:

• Replace your child’s mask with makeup to make sure they have a clear view of their surroundings.
• Avoid costumes that are dark colours, instead choose bright colours or add reflective tape.
• Accompany your child when trick-or-treating.
• Remind children to stay on sidewalks and when crossing the road to look both ways.

Have a safe and happy Halloween! 

Women Increasingly Buying Motorcycles, Starring in Freedom-Themed Montages

From Jezebel.com -- In this era of inside voices, Netflix Instant, and the infinite staying-in-excuses the Internet offers, some women are choosing instead to seek freedom and adventure outside, on the seat of a motorcycle. Yes, women are climbing onto hogs from coast to coast in record numbers, and not from the vantage point of sitting behind some dude who is driving them around; the number of female motorcycle owners increased 52% from 2003 to 2008. It's positively trendy to be badass!...

To read the entire article visit Jezebel.com.

Image via Igor Sheremet/Shutterstock