9 years ago
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sudbury ·
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Snow Machine Collision Sudbury Ontario
Sadly each year people go out to enjoy themselves and too many get injured or killed. The reasons for the injuries and deaths vary but in almost every fatality human error somehow comes into play.
I listened to two people argue on Saturday as to whether or not snow machine trails should be open after a thaw and fast freeze. It’s too icy said one the OFSC should close the trails when icy! The other disagreed and said that people must drive to the conditions and even if the clubs had barricaded the trails, many people would just drive around or over the barricades get hurt or worse and there would be less chance of discovering them when the trail is shut down. Things got louder and I found a reason to leave before I too became involved.
I am a past volunteer for the Ontario Federation of Snowmobilers. I used to snowmobile every winter and it seemed like a good idea to help the other volunteers in the area and take a more active role. At first I just brushed trails, positioned signs and fixed bridges and was quite content to do just that. Gradually I ended up with a few other duties including attending the occasional meeting for the district as a club representitive.
Membership dropped and the work increased. The effects of Global Warming took their toll and some winters the trails were barley open. Trial permit prices increased as less people rode the trails and the maintenance and grooming still had to be carried out for those who still rode. My wife (who was at the time a Master Instructor) had health issues last year and it became time for us to find a new hobby.
The reason I preface this Blog with the little personal story is that after you have seen both sides of a changing situation it is often easier to see what is actually going on.
On the one hand you have the snow machine owner who has in many cases paid a great deal of money for a sled that can only be used a few months each year and who also purchases a permit that does not guarantee that he or she will enjoy a successful season on the trails. Insurance is mandatory when you leave your own property so there is that to consider also.
On the other hand you have the OFSC Volunteers and Full time support in Barrie that try to make sure the trails are kept in safe operating condition with proper signage, and Trail Groomers that are fueled , reliable and ready to create the trails for the rider who in most cases feels they paid too much for the Trail Permit.
In a perfect world for the snow mobile club, the trails are brushed, signed and packed prior to be groomed and opened.
In a perfect world for the rider the trails are ready and open when they want to ride. Are you starting to see a problem?
Weather has to cooperate also, the past few years have been unusually good for snowmobiling from a weather perspective. El Nino and Global Warming had thrown a wrench into things this year and others which makes the perfect recipe for conflict between the trail builders and the trail users.
The users who buy the snowmobile, trail permits and insurance see an investment they can’t use in mild snowless winters.
The OFSC sees danger to the user if the trail is not prepared correctly and will often to protect in mild spells close the trails till more snow falls or temperatures drop.
The user will often in spite of the signs and barricades, signs, web posting and announcements use the trail damaging it severely (often times the persons caught doing so don’t even have permits but it still has to be repaired). Sadly one of the duties I did as a volunteer was replace signs after others thought the signs looked better in their recreation room or garage.
In a bad weather year people don’t get into a rhythm to ride properly or try to get in as much riding as they can becasue of the good day in a bad season. Often they become tired and this leads to a lack of awareness or judgment of just what they are driving and driving on. Just like you try to drive to road condition in a car you must also do so in a snow mobile. I personally studded my track and used the appropriate carbides to control my machine. Many people did not like the studs and more aggressive carbides but I had ridden a great deal on ice and it was a much safer start, drive and more importantly STOP.
Regardless of what you do to your Sled you also have to be aware of the “other guy” stay to the right as much as possible going up hill, head the signs as they will let you know what is coming. Alcohol is best consumed when you are not going to ride and extreme speed is something we can all live without but if you must become a sanctioned racer and leave it all on the track.
What is the answer I’m not sure, but I think if everyone to rethink what is happening. For a great number of reasons I believe the day of the volunteer on the trail is coming to an end. I believe that it is time for the Province to step in and create a sustainable safe shared environment for not just the snow machine but the ATV and other out door enthusiasts.
People being people will not conform properly otherwise and odds are there will be more unnecessary tragedies in the headlines every winter without proper legislation, management and compliance.
Have a Safe Winter.
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9 years ago
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sudbury ·
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Pedestrian collisions with vehicles are on the rise, and a new study is aiming to find out why. The icy winter months always produce more incidents with pedestrians, but accidents in Sudbury have been rife. The Greater Sudbury Police had an awareness campaign blitz in January to help the public understand safety for pedestrians for drivers and sidewalk occupants alike.
The law enforcement group is now expanding the initiative with a study that will aim to find out exactly why pedestrian incidents are on the rise:
“I think this is an excellent initiative,” Chief Shawn Devine told Baytoday. “I have tasked our Traffic Section with contacting Sudbury TS to advise that we are going to mirror their special study on the factors that contribute to pedestrian collisions and offer to share our finding.”
The study will include officers now including more specific details about pedestrian collisions in their reports, to ensure all facts are known. Sudbury Staff Sgt. Rick Waugh says the study aims to find out why collisions occur often when pedestrians have right of way, or conversely do not have right of way:
“We really wanted to try and better understand not just why collisions are occurring … but especially the ones involving pedestrians,” Waugh said.
Statistic shows that every pedestrian collision occurred at an intersection last year, compared to 24 per cent the year before, meaning intersections are now hotspots. The amount of accidents occurring when pedestrians do not have right of way has risen from 18 per cent in 2013 to 36 per cent in 2015. This suggests pedestrians are not obeying safe practices when crossing at intersections.
Since Jan. 1, police in Sudbury have added these categories to collision reports:
The presence of any distraction to a pedestrian including, but no limited to, the use of any electronic device or wearing clothing that interferes with sight or sound.
The nature of the clothing worn by a pedestrian, including color(s) or the use of reflective material
The use of a mobility aid, such as canes, walkers, crutch, wheelchair, skateboard, scooter etc.
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9 years ago
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sudbury ·
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The idea of the Northern Ontario region, including Greater Sudbury, becoming a separate independent province is being mooted by a grassroots movement. A petition started at the end of 2015 now has 670 names and is being described by the group as “gathering steam”.
Trevor Holliday started the petition and said he has been inspired by historical Ontarian separation movements, especially the 1970s’ Northern Ontario Heritage Party and other Northern Ontario separatist movements. The idea is for the province of Ontario as it is now to be split into a Northern and Southern Ontario, each operating independently of the other.
The petition is currently online at Change.org and has been open since Jan 1. 2016, with Holliday saying:
“I would want Northern Ontario to become its own province. That way it can be run by the people of the North for the people of the North, so that all the money from the North isn’t taken and given to the south and then we’re just left to whittle away.”
Some supporters say that the province is underfunded and that Northern Ontario has the infrastructure, industry, and resources to support itself without the need for the more populated south. Those supporting the movement say that have been discouraged by what they perceive as a clear lack of investment in Northern Ontario, with roads not maintained and other infrastructure measures ignored.
Many say that they are tired of funding seemingly always going to developing transport around the Greater Toronto Area and Southern Ontario, with the north of the province left out.
“This idea goes back to the beginning of Northern Ontario and I’m reading reports in 1905, 1906 of rallies to separate and it usually goes in waves when there seems to be a growing imbalance,” said MP Charlie Angus (NDP — Timmins-James Bay).
“I think there’s a great deal of frustration in Northern Ontario right now when we see the policies that are driven from the south and when we see the complete imbalance in political representation between the issues of the North and the urban south. I understand why people are frustrated.”
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9 years ago
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sudbury ·
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Since starting a new year-long program to reduce pedestrian related collisions, Greater Sudbury Police announced it has already fined 60 drivers for disobeying traffic rules at intersections.
The year-long initiative by the police will raise awareness for pedestrians and aim to make Sudbury’s roads safer, including what is being described as a January blitz. The blitz will see the police force clamp down on dangerous behavior from drivers and pedestrians alike, and the city has also identified problem intersections that will be subject to extra policing.
Speaking to CBC News, Sudbury deputy police chief Al Lekun said the fines and tickets were issued for myriad minor traffic infractions such as running red lights, not giving pedestrians right of way, and skimming road lines. It is not just drivers getting fined, with five pedestrians were charged with jaywalking, although those who crossed at proper sections were issued Tim Hortons gift cards.
The five jaywalkers were those who were crossing in situations that were putting themselves at considerable risk, said Lekun.
“For the most part, pedestrians that we’ve observed have been observing the rules of the road by virtue of the fact that we’ve given out more awareness and gift cards than we have tickets. So it seems to be working.”
With weather now reaching peak winter conditions, Sudbury’s roads are more dangerous, even at busy and well-worn intersections. Driving safely and obeying traffic laws can help to keep you safe in your car and protect pedestrians on the sidewalks. Auto insurance in Sudbury will mean your vehicle is also protected against any collisions, and our brokers are on hand to find the best deal for you.
Our quick quote system can show you results from over 25 insurance providers in Sudbury, giving you the best deal for you.
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9 years ago
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sudbury ·
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Greater Sudbury is at the center of the largest infrastructure project ever awarded in Ontario as Sudbury Liberal MPP Glenn Thibeault announced on Monday morning the Highway 69 project. The project will involve the four-laning of 14 kilometers of Highway 69 from north of Highway 607 to North of Highway 522, the work is budgeted for $173.4 million.
The project will be the largest infrastructure operation ever seen in the province and will involve the construction of 10 bridges and two exchanges, including four major structures over the Pickerel and French rivers. J & P Leveque Brothers Haulage Ltd. of Bancroft will helm the project and will take five years to complete the work.
Another project linking Highways 64 and 607 will open later in 2016 and it will eventually be linked to the completed Highway 69 project announced today. The idea is to create a four lane ribbon of road that will connect Greater Sudbury with Toronto, and Thibeault said at the OPP headquarters that negotiations to complete other sections of the route are still ongoing. After the completion of this project there will still be 68 kilometers of Highway 69 that need to be expanded to four lane roads.
“We’re getting closer and closer, each and every day, every time a shovel goes in the ground,” said Thibeault.
The Highway 69 project announced on Monday will begin this winter, with workers clearing land in preparation for construction to start in the spring. The provincial government promised to complete the entire Highway 69 route between Sudbury and Toronto by 2021 and says it remains on course to meet its deadline.
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9 years ago
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sudbury ·
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A proposed $80 million extension to Maley Drive continues to have opposition in some quarters in Greater Sudbury, with two city groups reiterating their worries about the project.
The idea of a Maley Drive extension is not new and it is a project that has a 30 year history, and now would cost $80 million to complete. The idea of the road is to create a semi ring around North Sudbury and add an east-west route to The Kingsway and Lasalle Boulevard, linking Frood Road and College Boreal to Falconbridge Highway.
The Sudbury chapter of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons and Friendly to Seniors – Sudbury both insist that the project should not be eligible for federal infrastructure funding. The groups voiced their concerns in a joint press release, saying:
“Available information indicates that the project is not now, or never was, a prudent and responsible use of city and other government funds for the greater benefit of the city,” the groups said.
“Concerned about the future and well-being of our community, the groups have asked all locally elected representatives to seriously consider the implications of the project and that the city conducts a full and transparent public review.”
“There are only limited benefits for those in the north end of the city and none for the south or other areas. The consulting firm (AECOM, which presented a report to council in November) that used city staff supplied material to endorse the project had previously done design work for the new roadway, indicating a conflict of interest.
“Financing of the project plus operating and replacement costs will have to come out of present and future taxation levies. There has been no business case analysis with respect to what other projects would be of more value to the city including repair and maintenance of present infrastructure.”
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9 years ago
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sudbury ·
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Uber’s rise in Canada caught governing and regulatory bodies off guard and there has been a scramble to sort out the mess. Greater Sudbury is being urged to avoid such confusion by preparing in advance for the UberX service to arrive in the city.
Ward 9 councilor Deb McIntosh thinks the situation seen in other jurisdictions can be avoided and is pressing Greater Sudbury to prepare now. She has tabled a motion that would see the city’s current taxi bylaws assessed to gauge how the arrival of Uber in the Sudbury area could affect the city. She has called for the city staff to report back in spring with their findings.
Over the last year Uber has risen in Canada’s major cities, most of the time receiving a less than warm welcome when doing so. Regulators were caught off guard and the result sees Uber Canada operating without any regulatory license, its drivers effectively operating illegally and without sufficient auto insurance.
While the country is slowly moving towards accepting Uber, it is clear that when the ride-sharing service enters a new market it brings plenty of discord with it. McIntosh thinks this could be avoided in Great Sudbury.
“I’m hoping to avoid what’s happening in other cities,” McIntosh told the Sudbury Star. “That was the instigation for me to put this motion forward, to prevent conflict. I wanted us to be proactive rather than reactive and just waiting until it gets here.”
Uber’s expansion in Canada has been rapid and the service is currently available in 12 cities around the country, with a focus in Ontario. The U.S. based company said there are no plans to expand to Sudbury, but it seems covering the entire province is a logical goal.
“While we don’t have specific launch plans for Sudbury at the moment, I can tell you that Uber aims to expand to communities across Canada and we’re always looking at what’s next,” said Susie Heath, an Uber representative.
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9 years ago
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sudbury ·
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A proposal to raise the water rate in Greater Sudbury has had a negative welcome according to an online poll conducted by the Sudbury Star. The plan set in motion earlier year is to raise the water rate in the city by a sizeable 7.4 per cent, but residents are not exactly in support of the idea.
The decision to raise the price of the city’s water rates was reached by the city council on Jan. 5th, with fees set to raise through the year. On average Greater Sudbury residents will have to fork out $71 per year for their water on top of their current rate.
The poll was conducted among 457 readers of the local news outlet and showed that the majority think the planned raise is simply too much to pay. Asked “Is a 7.4 per cent hike in Sudbury’s water rates too high?” a conclusive number of 88 per cent said yes.
53 per cent, which amounted to 53 readers of the Sudbury Star, found the rate hike acceptable, while 2 per cent (8 readers) answered “not sure”.
The local government says that the increase in rate will add some $600,000 to the water-wastewater capital budget, allowing for the improved maintenance current services.
You can check out the full poll results and some reader explanations as to why they think the proposed hike in water rates are too high by visiting the source link for the Sudbury Star below.
SOURCE
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9 years ago
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sudbury ·
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The cost of parking in hospitals can be prohibitive, with many simply unable to afford the high costs, especially if spending a lot of time at a health center or hospital. The Ministry of Health is now collaborating with Long-Term Care in a bid to relieve the financial burden of high cost parking when visiting someone in hospital or needing the health services themselves.
The MoH says that it will be discounting as much as 50 per cent from the cost of parking at hospitals that charge more than $10 per day to leave a vehicle. Many hospitals have metered parking that charges an hourly rate, but also has a higher flat rate limit. For example, some locations charge $1 per hour or $12 flat for a 24-hour period.
Health Sciences North attendees for example will likely miss out on any discounts as at the moment the hospitals under the banner now charge $6 per day. That then could be considered a normal rate, with those locations that charge more being deemed overly expensive. It is these expensive locations that are the focus of the new collaboration between the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
Spokesman Dan Lessard said HSN administers will look into parking costs and will review the system in view of this new initiative.
“But it’s too early to say at this point what impact this will have on our parking fees as our rates tend to come under the threshold,” said Lessard.
Health Minister, Eric Hoskins, announced on Monday that parking rates at hospitals will be discounted, but those discounts will not be in place until Oct. 1, 2016. As part of the mandated reductions coming later in the year, those locations charging more than $10 per day will also have to offer day passes for 5, 10, and 30 days.
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9 years ago
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sudbury ·
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The Greater Sudbury Police is continuing its efforts to raise awareness for pedestrian safety by warning of the danger of the roads during the winter.
After a mild start to the winter the cold weather has finally descended on Sudbury, with freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall hitting the city since last weekend. Winter storms and heavy Alberta Clippers are expected to continue this weekend, and the police say the conditions are making driving hazardous.
With dangerous roads there is typically a higher rate of pedestrian injuries as vehicles are more likely to skid off the road. The Greater Sudbury Police says that drivers should take time before a journey to wipe and scrape any snow and ice on windows, highlighting that all windows should be cleared to give the driver and unobstructed view.
Roads are typically plowed and kept clean, but sidewalks are not always maintained as much and can become inaccessible to pedestrians. A common sight in winter is to see members of the public leaving sidewalks to walk down the sides of road, so drivers should pay extra attention for pedestrians who have left the obstructed sidewalk.
Not all the advice being offered is targeted to drivers, with the police force saying that the use of crosswalks it doubly important in winter. Snowbanks are becoming higher, so pedestrians should avoid climbing them as drivers are unlikely to see someone coming down the other side of a steep bank.
The advice is being offered as part of a year-long initiative by the Greater Sudbury Police to raise awareness about pedestrian safety after it was alarmed by the number of incidents over the Holiday Season.
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