Ontario’s minister of Children and Youth Services Michael Couteau was in the news recently for his plea to Toronto city council to lift a ban on road hockey in the city. The by-law in questions states that: “no person shall play or take part in any game or sport upon a roadway and, where there are sidewalks, no person upon roller-skates, in-line skates or a …
Safety Category Archives
New Laws Likely Insufficient in Preventing Pedestrian Deaths
As the summer season approaches, increasing numbers of pedestrians and cyclists will make their way outside to enjoy the beautiful weather. Unfortunately, Toronto Police Service safety statistics are not on the side of pedestrians; fatality numbers continue to rise despite new provincial laws to enhance road safety. This data revealed that on average, a pedestrian in Toronto dies every 10 days. There has been a …
2016 Helmets on Kids campaign kicks off in Toronto
By law, it is mandatory for every cyclist under the age of 18 to wear a helmet, while those who are under 16 need to have a parent or guardian make sure they are wearing them. Helmets have been proven to greatly reduce the risk of brain and head injuries, preventing concussions and potentially even death. Studies have shown that helmet use reduces head injury …
Waivers, Legal Consequences and Recreational Sports
As we enter the final stretch of the winter season, many of us will take to the ski slopes, ice rinks or other recreational venues to enjoy what’s left of it. While having a great time is always the number one goal, it is important to be aware of some of the assumed legal risks involved. The recent decision of Levita v Alan Crew et …
New Laws Passed to Improve Road Safety for Pedestrians
2015 saw 38 pedestrians struck and killed on Toronto streets – the most annual fatalities of this kind in the past five years. The most vulnerable pedestrians – young children and the elderly – account for the majority of these deaths, with over 60% being seniors. According to the Chief Coroner’s Report on Pedestrian Deaths in Ontario, children and seniors are the most vulnerable pedestrians for …
Social Host Liability: How to Avoid the Naughty List and Ensure Guests Arrive Alive
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Picture this: a holiday get-together at a friend’s house. The tree sparkles, beautifully wrapped gifts lay artfully strewn below. The food is delicious, the drinks plentiful, the laughter infectious. Sometime after midnight, an impaired guest drives away and gets into an accident resulting, unfortunately, in catastrophic injuries. When the holidays approach, lawyers often think of three words: social …