Everything Flashcards
Traffic laws are made by ______________________ governments, and police from each level can enforce them.
federal, provincial and municipal
If you break a traffic law, you may be _____, ______________ or lose your___________. If you get caught driving while your license is suspended, your vehicle ______________________.
fined, sent to jail, driver’s license, may be impounded
Defensive driving is based on three ideas:
visibility, space and communication.
Visibility is about
seeing and being seen.
- be aware of traffic in front, behind and beside you. –> eyes constantly moving, scanning the road ahead and to the side and checking your mirrors every five seconds or so. The farther ahead you look, the less likely you will be surprised, and you will have time to avoid any hazards.
- Make sure other drivers can see you by using your signal lights as required.
Space
Managing the space around your vehicle lets you see and be seen and gives you time and space to avoid a collision.
- Leave a cushion of space ahead, behind and to both sides.
- the greatest risk of a collision is in front of you, stay well back.
Communication
Communicate with other road users to make sure they see you and know what you are doing.
- Make eye contact with pedestrians, cyclists and drivers at intersections and signal whenever you want to slow down, stop, turn or change lanes.
-to get another person’s attention, horn.
You must be in good _________ and ________ condition to drive
physical, mental
Steps of getting ready to drive.
Be physically and mentally alert
Know your vehicle
Get into position
Keep a clear view
Find your blind spots
Fasten your seatbelt
Child safety
Turn on headlights at night and in poor conditions
Know ur vehicle
- know your vehicle before you drive it. –>There are many types of vehicles available today with many different characteristics, including fuel ignition systems, anti-lock brakes, four-wheel drive, and systems for traction control and stability control.
- Check the vehicle owner’s manual and other information available from the automaker to learn how these systems work, how to properly operate them, and to understand their limitations.
- Many newer vehicles offer technologies that assist drivers with steering, braking and/or accelerating to help you stay within your lane, avoid, or reduce collisions, and maintain safe following distances.
No matter what technologies are available in your vehicle, you must always pay attention to how they operate, be ready to take over control of the vehicle in the event of an unusual or unforeseen situation, and recognize that you remain responsible for all driving tasks.
- know where all the controls and instruments are and what they do. Check that all warning lights and gauges work. Watch for a warning light that stays on after you drive away; it could mean a serious problem with your vehicle.
- Get to know the controls well enough to turn on wipers and washers, headlights, high beams, heater and defroster without having to look. –> Learning to use these essential controls without taking your eyes off the road is an important part of driving.
Get into position
- Make sure you sit properly behind the wheel –> You should sit high enough in the driver’s seat to see over the steering wheel and hood. –> You should be able to see the ground four metres in front of the vehicle. Use a firm cushion if needed.
Be sure that you are sitting straight upright in the seat with your elbows slightly bent. Adjust the seat so your feet reach the pedals easily. To check your position, try placing your feet flat on the floor under the brake pedal. If you can do this without stretching, you are seated properly. This keeps you in the proper, upright sitting position and gives you more stability when manoeuvring your vehicle.
If your vehicle has an adjustable headrest, you should make sure it is at the right height. The back of your head should be directly in front of the middle of the headrest to protect you in a collision.
Check that you have enough room in the front seat to drive properly and safely. Do not overcrowd your driving space with passengers or property.
Keep a clear view
Keep a clear view when driving.
- Do not put anything in your windows that will block your view. –> The windows of your vehicle must not be coated with any material that keeps you from seeing out in any direction.
- Neither should the windshield or front door windows be coated to keep someone from seeing inside the vehicle.
Find your blind spots
Check and adjust your mirrors and find your blind spots, the area on each side of your vehicle where you cannot see. You may not see people or cyclists when they are in these spots. On some vehicles the blind spot is so large that a vehicle could be there and you would not see it.
Adjust your mirrors so that there are as few blind spots as possible. Blind spots in most vehicles are to the back left and back right of the vehicle.
Because your side mirrors show only narrow angles of view, turning your head to do shoulder checks is the only way to make sure there is nothing in your blind spots.
You should know the blind spots on your own vehicle. You can learn where and how large they are by having someone walk around your car and watching the person in the mirrors.
How to reduce blind spots
To reduce the blind spots , position the interior mirror so that the centre of the mirror shows the centre of the rear window. –> You should be able to see directly behind the car when the interior mirror is properly adjusted.
Position the left & right outside mirror by leaning towards the window and moving the mirror so that you can just see the rear of your car on both sides
Avoid overlap in what you can see in your mirrors.
Fasten your seatbelt
a small increase in the number of people who wear their seatbelts can save many lives.
You must use your seatbelt every time you travel in any vehicle equipped with seatbelts. All passengers must be buckled up in their own seatbelt, child car seat or booster seat.
Drivers who do not buckle up can be fined and will be given two demerit points (15 demerit points = drivers receive an automatic 30 day licence suspension)
Drivers may also be fined and receive demerit points if they fail to ensure that all passengers under 16 years of age are properly buckled in a seatbelt, child car seat or booster seat.
Level One (G1) drivers are only allowed to have his or her accompanying driver as a front-seat passenger, and must have a seatbelt for him or her.
Novice drivers must have a seatbelt for every passenger.
Drivers who do not ensure there is a working seatbelt for every passenger can lose their licence for at least 30 days.
Seatbelts should be worn snugly enough to keep you in your seat during a collision. Wear the shoulder strap over your shoulder, never under your arm or behind your back. The lap belt should be worn low over the hips, not against the stomach.
Never put more than one person into a seatbelt; this can cause serious injury or even death in a collision.
Use your seatbelt always, even when you are sitting in a position with an active airbag. It is important for passengers to be secured within a to avoid being thrown from the vehicle during a collision.
The safest place a passenger can travel is inside a vehicle, properly buckled in. It is not safe to travel outside a vehicle, such as in the back of a pickup truck, or in a trailer that is being towed.
Child Safety
To be safely protected in a vehicle, children must be properly secured in a child car seat, booster seat or seatbelt, depending on their height, weight and/or age. –> correctly used child car seat can reduce the likelihood of injury or death by 75%
Child car seats must meet Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Newer vehicles that come equipped with a lower universal anchorage system (UAS) for securing a child car seat do not require the use of a seatbelt.
A booster seat requires a lap and shoulder belt combination.
Infants who weigh less than 9 kilograms (20 lbs.) must be buckled into a rear-facing child car seat attached to the vehicle by a seatbelt or the UAS strap. It is always best installed in the back seat. Never put a rear-facing child car seat in a seating position that has an active airbag. If the airbag inflates, it could seriously injure the child.
Toddlers 9 to 18 kilograms (20 to 40 lbs.) must be buckled into a child car seat attached to the vehicle by a seatbelt or a UAS strap; the seat’s tether strap must also be attached to the vehicle’s tether anchor. Children weighing more than 9 kilograms (20 lbs.) may remain in a rear-facing child car seat if it is designed to accommodate the child’s height and weight.
Booster seats provide 60% more protection than seatbelts alone. These must be used by pre-school and primary-grade-aged children who have outgrown their forward-facing child car seat, are under the age of eight and weigh 18 kilograms (40 lbs.) or more but less than 36 kilograms (80 lbs.), and who are less than 145 centimetres (4 feet, 9 inches) tall. Booster seats raise a child so that the adult seatbelt works more effectively. The child’s head must be supported by the top of the booster, vehicle seat or headrest. You must use a booster seat with a lap/shoulder belt.
If your vehicle has lap belts only, secure the child by the lap belt only. Never use a lap belt alone with a booster seat.
Correct installation of a child car seat is important for ensuring a child’s safety. Your local public health unit is a good resource for finding out how to properly install a child car seat, or visit a local car seat clinic where certified technicians will help you install the seat.
Children may begin wearing a seatbelt once they are able to wear it properly (a lap belt flat across the hips, shoulder belt across the centre of the chest and over the shoulder), and if any one of the following criteria is met:
The child turns eight years old.
The child weighs 36 kilograms (80 lbs.) or more.
The child is 145 centimetres (4 feet 9 inches) tall or taller.
Do not place a child in a seating position in front of an air bag that is not turned off. The safest place for a child under age 13 is in the back seat.
Seatbelts and child car seats save lives
Seatbelts and child car seats reduce the risk of injury or death in collisions.
- Seatbelts help keep you inside and in control of the vehicle during a collision. People who are thrown from a vehicle have a much lower chance of surviving a collision.
- Seatbelts keep your head and body from hitting the inside of the vehicle or another person in the vehicle. When a vehicle hits a solid object, the people inside keep moving until something stops them. If you are not wearing your seatbelt, the steering wheel, windshield, dashboard or another person might be what stops you. This “human collision” often causes serious injury.
- Fire or sinking in water is rare in collisions. If it does happen, seatbelts help keep you conscious, giving you a chance to get out of the vehicle.
- In a sudden stop or swerve, no one can hold onto a child who is not in a seatbelt or child car seat. Infants or children who are not properly restrained can be thrown against the vehicle’s interior, collide with other people or be ejected.
- When using a child car seat, make sure that the seat is tightly secured by the vehicle seatbelt or by the universal anchorage system (UAS) strap, and for a forward-facing car seat, ensure the tether strap is also used. When installing the child car seat, press one knee into the seat and use your body weight to push it into the vehicle seat, then tighten the seatbelt or the car-seat UAS strap as much as possible. The installed child car seat should move no more than 2.5 centimetres (1 inch) where the seatbelt or UAS strap is routed through the child car seat.
- Use a locking clip where needed to ensure the seatbelt stays locked into position and will not loosen during a collision. Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual to see if you will need to use a locking clip.
- If a rear-facing child car seat does not rest at the proper 45-degree angle, you can prop up the base of the seat with a towel or a Styrofoam bar (“pool noodle”). 80% of the base of a forward-facing car seat should be firmly supported by the vehicle seat.
Turn on headlights at night and in poor conditions
Headlights enable you to see the roadway in front of your vehicle when visibility is poor, as well as making your vehicle visible to others.
Your vehicle’s headlights must shine a white light that can be seen at least 150 metres in front and is strong enough to light up objects 110 metres away.
You must also have red rear lights that can be seen 150 metres away and a white light lighting the rear licence plate when headlights are on.
Headlights are equipped with the option to use a high beam to enhance vision further down the roadway and the use of a low beam when you are near other vehicles to minimize the glare of your headlights onto others. When you use high-beam headlights, remember to switch to low beams within 150 metres of an oncoming vehicle. Use your low beams when you are less than 60 metres behind another vehicle unless you are passing it. These rules apply to all roads, including divided ones.
Turning your headlights on activates other required light systems, such as your parking lights, tail lights and rear-licence plate light. Daytime running lights, which are often another mode of your headlights or can be a separate lighting system, are specifically designed to make your vehicle more visible during times of good light conditions, and are automatically activated when your vehicle is in operation and your headlight switch is turned to off.
–> Your daytime running lights are not to be used as headlights during poor lighting conditions. They provide an inappropriate form of light that may cast glare onto others or deactivate other required light systems, such as tail lights. If your vehicle is not equipped with daytime running lights, you should turn your headlights on to provide similar visual enhancement.
When driving your vehicle, headlights are required to be turned on between one-half hour before sunset and one-half hour after sunrise, and any other time of poor light conditions, such as fog, snow or rain, which keeps you from clearly seeing people or vehicles less than 150 metres away. Don’t drive with only one headlight or with lights that are not aimed properly.
Have your full lighting system checked regularly, keep them clean, and replace burned-out bulbs as soon as possible.
Driving with your vehicle’s full lighting system set to automatic is recommended, if your vehicle is equipped with this option. This will better ensure that the appropriate lighting system is being used.
Check your mirrors every ____ seconds or so, and check your _______________by turning your head to look over your shoulder. Keep other drivers out of your blind spot by changing your _______ and don’t drive in other vehicles’ blind spots. This is especially true when driving around large commercial vehicles, as they typically have large blind spots to the __________________.
5, blind spots, speed, sides & back
Steer smoothly
All steering should be smooth and precise. You should do most steering and lane changes without taking either hand off the wheel. You must be able to steer in a straight line while shifting gears, adjusting controls or checking your blind spot.
Picture the steering wheel as a clock and place your hands at nine o’clock and three o’clock.
Use of turn signals and brake lights
Signals tell other drivers what you want to do, alerting them to your intention to turn or stop.
Use your turn signals and brake lights to signal before stopping, slowing down, turning, changing lanes, leaving the road or moving out from a parked position. Give the correct signal well before taking the action and make sure other drivers can see it. Check that the way is clear before you act, just signalling is not enough.
If your turn signals and brake lights are not working, use hand and arm signals.
When watching for signals made by others, remember that cyclists may signal right turns by holding their right arms straight out.
Keep right
Keep to the right of the road or in the right-hand lane on multi-lane roads unless you want to turn left or pass another vehicle. This is especially important if you are driving more slowly than other vehicles.
Obey speed limits
Drive below the maximum speed in bad weather, in heavy traffic or in construction zones.
School zones and construction zones often have lower speed limits
Where there are no posted speed limits, the maximum speed is 50 km/h in cities, towns and villages, and 80 km/h elsewhere.
Cruise control is a driver aid that can improve fuel economy and prevent you from inadvertently exceeding the speed limit. However, there are some circumstances in which cruise control should not be used, such as adverse driving conditions (wet, icy or slippery roads), in heavy traffic or when you are feeling fatigued.
Speed measuring warning devices are illegal. If you get caught driving with such a device, you will be fined and accumulate demerit points.
Obey police
When police officers are directing traffic, you must follow their directions, even if the directions are different from traffic lights or signs.
When a police officer signals you to pull your vehicle over, you must pull over as far to the right as you safely can and come to a complete stop.
Stay in your vehicle and wait for the police officer. You must immediately, upon the police officer’s request, surrender your driver’s licence, vehicle permit (or copy) and insurance. –> Contrary to popular belief, you do not have 24 hours to present these documents. If you do not obey a police officer’s direction to pull over, you risk being fined, having your licence suspended or even serving time in prison.
Maintaining space
As a general rule, drive at the same speed as traffic around you without going over the speed limit. Leave a cushion of space around your vehicle to let other drivers see you and to avoid a collision.
Whenever you follow another vehicle, you need enough space to stop safely if the other vehicle brakes suddenly. A safe following distance is at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. This lets you see around the vehicle ahead and gives you enough distance to stop suddenly.
Do not block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic.
To give yourself a two-second space, follow these steps:
- Pick a marker on the road ahead, such as a road sign or telephone pole.
- When the rear of the vehicle ahead passes the marker, count “one thousand and one, one thousand and two”.
- When the front of your vehicle reaches the marker, stop counting. If you reach the marker before you count “one thousand and two,” you are following too closely.
Remember that the two-second rule gives a minimum following distance. It applies only to ideal driving conditions. You will need extra space in certain situations, such as bad weather, when following motorcycles or large trucks, or when carrying a heavy load.
____________ between the pedestrian and driver is one of the keys to pedestrian safety.
Eye contact
Watch for children
Drive slowly and cautiously through school zones, residential areas and any other location where children may be walking or playing. A driver should not rely on a child’s knowledge of traffic laws, so expect the unexpected.
Be extra cautious at twilight when children may still be playing outside, but are difficult to see.
Watch for all crosswalks – A crosswalk can be the portion of a roadway that:
- connects sidewalks on opposite sides of the roadway into a continuous path
- has signs, lines or other markings on the roadway for pedestrian crossing Do not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk. A stopped vehicle may be a clue that a pedestrian is crossing.
Reminder: Not all crosswalks are marked, but nearly all intersections have crosswalks.
Watch for school crossings and guards
Drivers, including cyclists, must stop and yield the whole roadway at pedestrian crossovers, school crossings and other locations where there is a crossing guard.
Only when pedestrians and school crossing guards have crossed and are safely on the sidewalk can drivers and cyclists proceed.
Watch for community safety zones
Signs indicate areas where the community has identified that there is a special risk to pedestrians.
Watch for slow pedestrians
Many modern urban roads often do not allow sufficient time to cross for slow pedestrians during the normal traffic cycle. So be patient and allow all pedestrians time to cross.
Seniors or pedestrians with disabilities need extra caution and courtesy from drivers, as they may be slow in crossing the road.
Pedestrians who are blind or with a visual disability may use a white cane or guide dog to help them travel safely along sidewalks and across intersections.
Watch when driving quiet vehicles
Drivers of hybrid or electric vehicles should be aware that vision-impaired people often rely on the sound of an engine before entering an intersection. When you are slowing or stopping, your vehicle makes little or no discernible noise, so extra caution is required.
Watch for wheelchairs and medical scooters
People operating motorized wheelchair and medical scooters are pedestrians too.
Watch for streetcars
Some streetcar stops have a special safety island or zone for passengers getting on and off. Pass these safety islands and zones at a reasonable speed. Always be ready, in case pedestrians make sudden or unexpected moves.
Watch for texters
A no-texting rule isn’t only for drivers. Pedestrians are often distracted while using devices, including cell phones, ear buds, hand-held device, GPS, and music players. People using ear buds/headphones often can`t hear car horn or other traffic noise.
Watch for dark clothing
Pedestrians in dark clothing, especially at night, are difficult to see. Extra care is needed when driving in low-light conditions. Twilight and dark clothing often initiate a collision.
Watch for new transport
New technology allows small motors on skateboards, scooters and even roller blades. These devices may reduce control and even propel users into the roadway. Many modern electric bikes are made to look like motor scooters.
Watch during turns
Many more people get hit by cars turning left than by cars turning right, because both parties are looking elsewhere: The drivers are busy negotiating the intersection while street-crossers are looking straight ahead.
Sharing the road with cyclists
Bicycles and mopeds travelling at a lower speed than other traffic are expected to ride about one metre from the curb or parked cars, or as close as practical to the right-hand edge of the road when there is no curb.
However, bikers can use any part of the lane if necessary for safety, such as to:
- Avoid obstacles such as puddles, ice, sand, debris, rutted or grooved pavement, potholes and sewer grates
- Cross railway or streetcar tracks at a 90° angle
- Discourage passing where the lane is too narrow to be shared safely
- A bike lane may exist adjacent to parking bays (See Diagram 2-10 under Sharing the road with other road users)
Cyclists are not required to ride close to the right edge of the road when…
they are travelling at or faster than the normal speed of traffic at that time and place, or when they are turning left, or getting in position to turn left. (Cyclists are permitted to make a left turn from a left-turn lane, where one is available.)
When passing a cyclist, drivers of motor vehicles must maintain a minimum distance of ________ where practical between their vehicle and the cyclist. Failure to do so may result in a fine and an additional _____ demerit points on the driver’s record. Whenever possible, you should _______________ to pass.
one metre, 2, change lanes
Do not follow too closely behind cyclists cuz …
they do not have brake lights to warn you when they are slowing or stopping.
- Do not sound your horn unnecessarily when you are overtaking a cyclist. It may frighten them and cause them to lose control. If you feel that you must use your horn, tap it quickly and lightly while you are still some distance away from the cyclist.
To avoid collisions with bicyclists at intersections, remember the following:
- When turning right, signal and check your mirrors and the blind spot to your right to make sure you do not cut off a cyclist.
- When turning left, you must stop and wait for oncoming bicycles to pass before turning.
- When driving through an intersection, be careful to scan for cyclists waiting to turn left.
Bike lanes are
reserved for cyclists. They are typically marked by a solid white line. Sometimes you will need to enter or cross a bike lane to turn right at a corner or driveway. (See Diagram 2-12 under Sharing the road with other road users)
Take extra care when you do this. Enter the bike lane only after ensuring that you can do so safely, and then make the turn.
Bike boxes
help prevent collisions between motorists and bicycles at intersections. It is typically a painted box on the road with a white bicycle symbol inside. Bicycle lanes approaching and leaving the box may also be painted. As a driver, you must stop for a traffic signal behind the bike box. Do not stop in the box.
Sharrows
A bicycle sharrow, two chevrons (look like vertical greater than symbol) painted above a bicycle symbol on the road, indicates the lane is shared. Vehicle or bicycle traffic may be in the lane.
Although you should always keep on the lookout for bicyclists, this serves as an additional warning to watch for them in the lane.
Children riding bicycles
on the street may lack the necessary training and skills for safe cycling. They may not be aware of all the dangers or the rules of the road. Watch for children on oversized bicycles, as they may not have the ability to control it.
When parked on the side of the roadway, look behind you and check your ________ and _______________ for a passing cyclist before opening a door.
mirrors, blind spots
Sharing the road with motorcycles and limited-speed motorcycles
Motorcycles, limited-speed motorcycles, mopeds and bicycles are harder to see because of their size. Drivers of these vehicles may make sudden moves because of uneven road surfaces or poor weather conditions. Because they are less protected, they are more likely to be injured in a collision.
Motorcycles use a regular lane; treat them like other vehicles when driving.
Since many motorcycle turn signals do not automatically shut off, be careful when turning left in front of an oncoming motorcycle with its turn signal on. Make sure the motorcyclist is actually turning; they may have just forgotten to switch off the turn signal.
Sharing the road with large commercial vehicles: Blind Spots
Large commercial vehicles have big blind spots on both sides. Avoid tailgating a large vehicle. The driver cannot see you if you are directly behind. If the vehicle stops suddenly, you have no place to go.
Remember that if you can’t see the driver’s face in the large vehicle’s side-view mirror, the driver cannot see you.
Sharing the road with large commercial vehicles: stopping distance
Large commercial vehicles require a much longer distance to stop than smaller vehicles. –> When passing a large vehicle, do not cut in front closely. Allow more room when passing a large vehicle.
Sharing the road with large commercial vehicles: Wide Turns
When making a right turn, a large vehicle may need to first swing wide to the left and around, in order to avoid hitting the right curb.
If a large vehicle in front of you is making a right turn, do not move up into the space that opens up in the right lane; you are putting yourself into a very dangerous position. –> Once the front of the vehicle has cleared the corner, the rest will move partially back into the right lane. If you are in that lane, your vehicle will be squeezed between the trailer and the curb. Stay well back until the truck has completely cleared the lane.
This situation can occur on expressway off-ramps that have two left turning lanes. Do not drive up into the left lane when a large vehicle is making a left turn in front of you. Stay well back until the truck has cleared the left turn, or else you may get squeezed between the truck and the curb.
Sharing the road with large commercial vehicles: Rolling Back
Leave plenty of room if you are stopped behind a large vehicle. When the driver of a large vehicle releases the brakes after being stopped, the vehicle may roll back.
Sharing the road with large commercial vehicles: Spray
In bad weather, large vehicles are capable of spraying up large amounts of mud, snow and debris, which could land on your windshield and temporarily block your vision.
Sharing the road with large commercial vehicles: Turbulence
Due to various factors such as air pressure and airflow, a large vehicle can create heavy air turbulence. This may affect your ability to control your vehicle when passing a large one.
Sharing the road with municipal buses: Many municipal roadways have special indented stopping areas for municipal buses, called bus bays, where passengers can get on and off. There are three types of bus bays:
Mid-block indented bays
Indentations immediately before and after intersections
Bus-stop areas between two designated parking areas
When a bus in a bus bay begins flashing its left-turn signals,
indicating that it is ready to leave the bus bay, and you are approaching in the lane adjacent to the bus bay, you must allow the bus to re-enter traffic.
Sharing the road with farm machinery
Farm machinery moves quite slowly compared to other road users. Most tractors and combines have a maxi-mum speed of 40 km/h, but travel at less than 40 km/h when towing implements or wagons.
Farm machinery is often oversized, wide or long or both, making it difficult for the driver to see vehicles coming up from behind. Farmers often turn directly into fields rather than roads or lanes, or move from lane to lane. Remember that it is common for farmers to be on the roads after dark during peak planting and harvesting seasons.
Farm machinery on the road must display an orange and red slow-moving sign on the rear of the vehicle. The sign warns other drivers that the is travelling at 40 km/h or less. If you see one of these signs, slow down and be cautious. Stay well back and do not pass until it is safe to do so.
Sharing the road with horse-drawn vehicles
Horse-drawn vehicles are one of the slowest. These vehicles will travel primarily on the shoulder (like the emergency stopways ig) of roadways, but may straddle or enter the paved lane where shoulders are narrow or no shoulder exists – such as bridge crossings.
Horse-drawn vehicles on the road must display an orange and red slow-moving sign on the rear of the buggy. In addition, many buggies have highly reflective tape affixed to the side and rear of the vehicle. The sign warns other drivers that this vehicle is travelling at 40 km/h or less, and the reflective tape illuminates as headlights hit the buggy.
If you see a horse-drawn vehicle, slow down and be very cautious. Maintain a safe following distance and only pass when it is safe to do so.
When approaching a horse-drawn vehicle travelling in the opposite direction, move to the far right of your lane.
When passing, give as much distance between you and them as possible. Passing too closely could scare or startle the horse, causing it to change direction suddenly on the roadway.
Sharing the road with school buses: When you see a school bus with its overhead amber lights (the yellow ones on the back top) flashing:
These signals indicate that the bus is coming to a stop to pick up or drop off passengers
Slow down and prepare to stop whether you are behind or approaching the bus
If you are on a road with a median strip, only vehicles approach from the rear of the bus should prepare to stop
When you see a school bus with its overhead red lights flashing or its stop arm activated:
You must stop whether you are behind or approaching the bus
If you are on a roadway with a median strip, only vehicles approaching from the rear of the bus must stop
If you are approaching from the rear of the vehicle, stop at least 20 meters away
Do not proceed on your route until the bus moves, the overhead red lights have stopped flashing and its stop arm is no longer activated
It is dangerous and illegal to fail to stop for a stopped school bus that has its overhead red lights flashing or its stop arm activated
There are two main types of intersections:
controlled and uncontrolled
Controlled intersections
Controlled intersections have traffic lights, yield signs or stop signs to control traffic (Diagram 2-19).
At a controlled intersection where you face a green light, drive carefully through the intersection at a steady speed. If the light has been green for a while, be prepared to stop when it turns yellow. However, if you are already so close that you cannot stop safely, drive through the intersection with caution. Where you face a red light, come to a complete stop and wait until the light turns green.
When you approach an intersection on a main road, and the intersection is blocked with traffic, stop before entering the intersection and wait until the traffic ahead moves on. This does not apply if you are turning left or right.
At a controlled intersection where you face a yield sign (indicates that merging drivers must prepare to stop if necessary to let a driver on another approach proceed) , slow down or stop if necessary and wait until the way is clear before driving through the intersection.
At a controlled intersection where you face a stop sign, come to a complete stop. Drive through the intersection only when the way is clear
Yielding the right-of-way
There are times when you must yield the right-of-way. This means you must let another driver go first. Here are some rules about when you must yield the right-of-way.
At an intersection without signs or lights, you must yield the right-of-way to a vehicle approaching the intersection before you, and if you arrive at the same time, the vehicle approaching from the right has the right-of-way
At an intersection with stop signs at all corners, you must yield the right-of-way to the first vehicle to come to a complete stop. If two vehicles stop at the same time, the vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right
At any intersection where you want to turn left or right, you must yield the right-of-way. If you are turning left, you must wait for approaching traffic to pass or turn and for pedestrians in or approaching your path to cross. If you are turning right, you must wait for pedestrians to cross if they are in or approaching your path. You should also check your blind spot for cyclists approaching from behind, particularly in a bike lane to your right, on a sidewalk or a trail. A yield sign means you must slow down or stop if necessary and yield the right-of-way to traffic in the intersection or on the intersecting road.
When entering a road from a private road or driveway, you must yield to vehicles on the road and pedestrians on the sidewalk
You must yield the right-of-way and wait for pedestrians to completely cross the road at pedestrian crossovers (Diagram 2-22) and school crossings with crossing guards.
Remember, signalling does not give you the right-of-way. You must make sure the way is clear.
Use your ____________ for both brake and gas pedals so you won’t step on both pedals at the same time or activate your brake lights unnecessarily
right foot
In a vehicle with manual transmission, try shifting into a _______ gear going down long, steep hills.
Downshift before starting downhill since it may not be possible once you are going downhill. As a guide, you should be in the _____ gear going downhill as uphill.
lower, same
Stopping at railway crossings
All railway crossings on public roads in Ontario are marked with large red and white “X” signs. –> Watch for these signs and be prepared to stop.
You may also see yellow advance warning signs and large “X” pavement markings ahead of railway crossings.
Some railway crossings have flashing signal lights and some use gates or barriers to keep drivers from crossing the tracks when a train is coming.
Some less-travelled crossings have stop signs posted.
it can take up to two kilometres for a train to stop under full emergency braking.
On private roads, railway crossings may not be marked, so watch carefully.
When you come to a railway crossing, remember:
Slow down, listen and look both ways to make sure the way is clear before crossing the tracks.
If a train is coming, stop at least five metres from the nearest rail or gate. Do not cross the track until you are sure the train or trains have passed.
Never race a train to a crossing.
If there are signal lights, wait until they stop flashing and, if the crossing has a gate or barrier, wait until it rises before you cross the tracks.
Never drive around, under or through a railway gate or barrier while it is down, being lowered or being raised. It is illegal and dangerous.
Avoid stopping in the middle of railway tracks; for example, in heavy traffic, make sure you have enough room to cross the tracks completely before you begin.
Avoid shifting gears while crossing tracks.
If you get trapped on a crossing, immediately get everyone out and away from the vehicle. Move to a safe place and then contact authorities.
Most buses and other public vehicles are required to stop at railway crossings that are not protected by gates, signal lights or a stop sign. School buses must stop at railway crossings whether or not they are protected by gates or signal lights. Watch for these buses and be prepared to stop behind them.
If you are approaching a railway crossing with a stop sign, you must stop unless otherwise directed by a flagman.
Stopping at school crossings
Where a school-crossing guard displays a red and white stop sign, you must stop before reaching the crossing and remain stopped until all people, including the school crossing guard, have cleared the entire roadway and it is safe to proceed.
Drivers who don’t follow the stopping requirements may receive a substantial fine and get 3 demerit points.
Stopping for school buses
You must stop whenever you approach a stopped school bus with its upper alternating red lights flashing on the top of the front and back of the bus, regardless of whether you are behind the bus or approaching it from the front.
When approaching the bus from the front, stop at a safe distance for children to get off the bus and cross the road in front of you.
If you are coming from behind the bus, stop at least 20 metres away.
You must obey the school bus law on any road, no matter how many lanes or what the speed limit. Be prepared to stop for a school bus at any time, not just within school hours.
As well as the upper alternating red flashing lights, school buses use a stop sign arm on the driver’s side of the bus. This arm, a standard stop sign with alternating flashing red lights at top and bottom, swings out after the upper alternating red lights begin to flash.
Stopping for school buses when there are median strips
If you are on a road with a median strip, only vehicles coming from behind the bus must stop.
A MEDIAN is a physical barrier such as a raised, lowered, earth or paved strip constructed to separate traffic travelling in different directions. Vehicles cannot cross over a median strip.
What happens if u don’t stop for a school bus?
It is illegal to fail to stop for a stopped school bus that has its red lights flashing.
–> you can be fined heavily and get 6 demerit points for a first offence.
In Ontario, school bus drivers and other witnesses can report vehicles that have illegally passed a school bus. If you are the vehicle’s registered owner, these fines, but not demerit points or jail time, may be applied to you.
Stopping for pedestrian crossovers
Pedestrian crossovers are designated areas that allow pedestrians to safely cross roads where there are no traffic lights. –> the orange signal at west humber
Always watch for pedestrians and people using wheelchairs at these crossings.
Pedestrians may push a button to make the overhead yellow lights flash to warn drivers that they will be crossing. Pedestrians should point or make an indication to drivers that they want to cross before entering the roadway (try making eye contact when possible).
Drivers including cyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in the crossover. You must not pass any vehicle within 30 metres of a pedestrian crossover.
Turning a corner
To turn a corner, signal well before the turn. When the way is clear, move into the proper lane, either the far right lane for a right turn or the far left lane in your direction for a left turn. Signal your turn and look from side to side and check your blind spots to make sure the way is clear.
Slow down before you enter the turn; the sharper the turn, the slower you should go. To keep full control of the vehicle, finish braking before you turn the steering wheel.
For a sharp turn, turn the steering wheel with one hand and cross the other hand over it. Grip the wheel on the other side and continue turning. This is called “hand over hand steering.”
When you have completed the turn, relax your grip on the steering wheel and let it slip or gently feed it through your hands to return to the straight-ahead position. Gradually increase speed as you complete the turn.
Remember, drivers often lose control of vehicles and skid because they try to do more than one thing at a time. Try not to brake and steer at the same time.
Right turns
Unless signs or pavement markings tell you not to, always begin and end a right turn close to the right side of the road.
If the right-hand lane is not marked, keep as far to the right of the road as possible. Look ahead, left, right and left again before starting to turn.
If you have not seen any smaller vehicles or pedestrians, check your right rear blind spot. Let cyclists, limited-speed motorcycles, or moped riders go through the intersection before you turn.
Right turn on a red light
Unless a sign tells you not to, you may make a right turn facing a red light as long as you first come to a complete stop and wait until the way is clear.
Remember to signal your turn and yield to pedestrians and others using the road.
Left turns
Unless signs or pavement markings tell you not to, always begin and end a left turn in the far left lane in your direction.
To make a left turn, signal well before the turn and move into the far left lane when the way is clear. Look ahead, behind, left, right and left again and check your blind spots. Make your turn when the way is clear.
When you are stopped at an intersection waiting for approaching traffic to clear, don’t turn your steering wheel to the left until you can complete the turn. With your wheels turned to the left, your vehicle could be pushed into the path of oncoming traffic.
Motorcycles, bicycles, limited-speed motorcycles and mopeds turn left at intersections in the same way as larger vehicles. If you are making a left turn behind one of these vehicles, do not pull up beside it to make your turn at the same time. Stay behind and turn when the way is clear. Wait for the smaller vehicle to move right before you pass.
Left-turn lanes
Some roads have special lanes for vehicles turning left . here, make your turn from the marked lane. Keep this lane position as you turn onto the other road.
The centre lane of some roads is used as a two-way left-turn lane This lets left-turning vehicles from both directions wait for a chance to turn without holding up traffic. To use a two-way, left-turn lane, follow these steps:
Signal and move into the centre lane shortly before your turn. Slow down.
Carefully move forward to a spot opposite the road or driveway where you want to turn.
Make your turn when the way is clear.
Remember that vehicles from the opposite direction also use this lane to turn left. As they wait in front of you, it may be hard for you to see oncoming traffic. Only go when you are sure the way is clear. These left-turn lanes are not to be used for passing.
Left turn on a red light
You may turn left from a ONE-WAY ROAD to a ONE-WAY ROAD on a red light after coming to a complete stop and making sure the way is clear. Yield to pedestrians and traffic.
Driving through roundabouts: Approaching:
As you approach the roundabout, look for signage to choose your exit. Choose which lane to use as you would for any other intersection.
–> Use the left lane to turn left or to go straight. Use the right lane to turn right or to go straight.
Cyclists generally keep to the centre of the appropriate lane, or dismount and use the roundabout as a pedestrian would.
Slow down and watch for pedestrians on the approach to the yield line at the entrance of the roundabout. Stay in your lane
GOOGLE: A yield line, also called shark’s teeth or a give way line, is a type of marking used to inform drivers of the point where they need to yield and give priority to conflicting vehicle or pedestrian traffic at an intersection or roundabout controlled by a yield sign.
Driving through roundabouts: Entering:
Visual checks: Do visual checks of all vehicles already in the roundabout and those waiting to enter (including cyclists).
Look left: Traffic in the roundabout has the right-of-way. When preparing to enter the roundabout, pay special attention to the vehicles to your left. Adjust your speed or stop at the yield sign if necessary.
Adequate gap: Watch for a safe opportunity to enter the roundabout. Enter when there is an adequate gap in the circulating traffic flow. Don’t enter directly beside another already in the roundabout, as that may be exiting at the next exit.
Travel counter-clockwise: Once in the roundabout, always keep to the right of the central island and travel in a counter-clockwise direction.
Keep moving: Once you are in the roundabout, do not stop except to avoid a collision; you have the right-of-way over entering traffic. Do not change lanes while in the roundabout. If in the inside lane and you miss your exit, you must continue around until you meet your exit again.
Driving through roundabouts: Exiting:
Signal: Be sure to signal your exit and watch for pedestrians.
Maintain your lane: Stay to the left if you entered from the left lane, or stay to the right if you entered from the right lane.
Maintain your position: Maintain your position relative to other vehicles.
Signal intent to exit: Once you have passed the exit before the one you want, use your right-turn signal.
Left lane exit: If exiting from the left lane, watch out for vehicles on the right that continue to circulate around the roundabout.
Dealing with particular situations at a roundabout: Consider large vehicles
Allow extra room alongside large vehicles (trucks and buses). Large vehicles may have to swing wide on the approach or within the roundabout. Give them plenty of room.
Dealing with particular situations at a roundabout: Driving a large vehicle in a roundabout
A driver negotiating a roundabout in a large vehicle may need to use the full width of the roadway, including the apron (a mountable portion of the centre island adjacent to the roadway) if provided.
Prior to entering the roundabout, the vehicle may need to occupy both lanes. Give large vehicles plenty of room to manoeuvre.
Dealing with particular situations at a roundabout: Pull over for emergency vehicles
If you are in a roundabout when an emergency vehicle approaches, exit at your intended exit and proceed beyond the traffic island before pulling over.
If you have not entered the roundabout yet, pull over to the right if possible and wait until the emergency vehicle has passed.
older “traffic circles”
In some areas of Ontario, older “traffic circles” exist.
They are larger than roundabouts, allowing higher speeds, and force traffic to merge and weave.
Modern roundabouts have a smaller inscribed circle diameter and use splitter islands (to deflect traffic) at the entry points to slow traffic speeds, or to provide pedestrian refuge.
The entry is also controlled by the “yield to the left” principle; for example, cars circulating within the roundabout have the right-of-way over entering vehicles.
Backing up
While firmly holding the steering wheel, put the gear selector in reverse and turn sideways in your seat to look over your shoulder in the direction you are moving. If you are reversing straight back or to the right, turn your body and head to the right and look back over your right shoulder
If you are reversing to the left, turn your body and head to the left and look over your left shoulder. Always check the opposite shoulder as well.
If you are turning as you reverse, check that the front end of your vehicle does not hit anything.
You don’t have to wear a seatbelt while backing up. If you need to remove your seatbelt to turn your body to see properly when reversing, do so. But don’t forget to buckle up again before moving forward.
It is illegal to drive in reverse on a divided road that has a speed limit of more than 80 km/h. This applies to the travelled section of the road and the shoulder. The only exception to this rule is if you are trying to help someone in trouble.
Turning around
You may need to turn around when driving if you miss a turn or go too far along a road. There are several ways to do this safely.
The simplest and safest way is to drive around the block, but there may be times when this is not possible. In such cases, a U-turn or a three-point turn may be necessary.
U-turn
Before you make a U-turn, check to make sure there is no sign saying not to.
To make a U-turn safely, you must be able to see well in both directions. It is illegal to make a U-turn on a curve in the road, on or near a railway crossing or hilltop, or near a bridge or tunnel that blocks your view. Never make a U-turn unless you can see at least 150 metres in both directions.
To make a U-turn, signal for a right turn, check your mirror and over your shoulder and pull over to the right side of the road. Stop. Signal a left turn and when traffic is clear in both directions, move forward and turn quickly and sharply into the opposite lane. Check for traffic as you turn.
Three-point turn
On narrow roads you need to make a three-point turn to change directions. As shown in Diagram 2-44, a three-point turn starts from the far right side of the road.
do not make a three-point turn on a curve in the road, on or near a railway crossing or hilltop, or near a bridge or tunnel that blocks your view.
Signal for a left turn. When the way is clear in both directions, move forward, turning the steering wheel sharply left towards the curb on the far side of the road. When you have reached the left side of the road, stop. Shift the vehicle into reverse. Signal a right turn. After checking that the way is still clear, turn the steering wheel sharply to the right, while backing up slowly to the other side of the road. Stop. Shift to forward gear and check traffic. When the way is clear, drive forward.
Changing lanes. Here are the steps for making a lane change:
Check your mirrors for a space in traffic where you can enter safely.
Check your blind spot by looking over your shoulder in the direction of the lane change. Be especially careful to check for bicycles and other small vehicles. Signal that you want to move left or right.
Check again to make sure the way is clear and that no one is coming too fast from behind or from two lanes over on a multi-lane road.
Steer gradually into the new lane. Do not slow down, maintain the same speed or gently increase it.
Never make sudden lane changes by cutting in front of another vehicle, including bicycles. Other drivers expect you to stay in the lane you are already in. Even if you signal, they expect you to yield the right-of-way.
Avoid unnecessary lane changes or weaving from lane to lane. You are more likely to cause a collision, especially in heavy traffic or bad weather. Don’t change lanes in or near an intersection.
Passing is changing lanes to move past a slower vehicle. Here are the steps for passing a vehicle:
Use your left-turn signal to show that you want to pass and check that the way is clear ahead and behind before moving into the passing lane.
Watch for bicycles and small vehicles that may be hidden from view in front of the vehicle you are about to pass. Also watch for vehicles that may be turning left in front of you and vehicles or pedestrians entering the road from another road or driveway.
Change lanes only after signalling. After overtaking, signal that you want to move back into the lane you started from, and when you can see the entire front of the vehicle you are passing in your inside mirror, make the lane change. Be careful not to cut off a vehicle by suddenly moving in front of it.
If the vehicle you are passing speeds up, do not race. Go back to your original lane. And do not speed up when another driver is trying to pass you. It is unlawful and dangerous.
When passing parked vehicles, watch carefully for people suddenly opening doors or for doors opened to load and unload.
When are u not allowed to pass?
Passing within 30 metres of a pedestrian crossover is not permitted.
Passing left of a centreline is not permitted 30 metres from a bridge, viaduct or tunnel.
Don’t attempt to pass when approaching the crest of a hill or on a curve where your vision of oncoming traffic is obstructed and there is not enough clear distance ahead to pass in safety.
When being passed on an undivided road where the passing driver has pulled into the opposite lane…
pay attention to oncoming traffic and move closer to the right side of the lane. Be prepared to slow down to let the passing driver get in front of you more quickly to prevent a collision.
On many high-speed roads with three or more lanes in each direction, trucks are not allowed to drive in the________________ lane.
far left-hand
Passing at night: Be very careful when you pass other vehicles at night. If you have to pass and the way is clear, follow these steps:
Switch your headlights to low beams as you approach a vehicle from behind.
Signal, check your mirrors and blind spot, and pull out to pass. As you move alongside the vehicle you are passing, switch on your high beams. This will let you see more of the road ahead.
When you can see all of the front of the vehicle you are passing in your rear view mirror, you are far enough ahead to pull back into the right lane. Remember to signal.
Passing and climbing lanes
Some roads have special passing or climbing lanes. These lanes let slower vehicles move into the right-hand lane so that faster ones can pass safely in the left lane.
An advance sign tells drivers they will soon have a chance to pass. Another sign warns when the lane is ending so drivers in the right-hand lane can begin to merge safely with traffic in the left-hand lane.
Passing on the shoulder
You may drive on the right shoulder only to pass a vehicle turning left and only if the shoulder is paved. You may not pass on the left shoulder, paved or not.
Passing on the right
Most passing is done on the left. You may pass on the right on multi-lane or one-way roads and when overtaking a streetcar or a left-turning vehicle.
Passing on the right can be more dangerous than passing on the left. If you are driving in the left most lane with a slower vehicle in front of you, wait for the vehicle to move to the right. Do not suddenly change lanes and pass on the right; the driver in front may realize you want to pass and move to the right at the same time you do.
Passing streetcars
You must pass streetcars on the right unless you are driving on a one-way road.
At streetcar stops, stay at least two metres behind the rear doors where passengers are getting off or on. This rule does not apply at stops where an area has been set aside for streetcar passengers. Always pass these areas at a reasonable speed and be prepared for pedestrians to make sudden or unexpected moves.
Here are some basic parking rules:
Never park on the travelled part of a road. Drive off the road onto the shoulder if you must stop for some reason.
Never park on a curve, hill or anywhere you do not have a clear view for at least 125 metres in both directions.
Do not park where you will block a vehicle already parked or where you will block a sidewalk, crosswalk, pedestrian crossing or road entrance.
Do not park within three metres of a fire hydrant, on or within 100 metres of a bridge or within six metres of a public entrance to a hotel, theatre or public hall when it is open to the public.
Do not park within nine metres of an intersection or within 15 metres if it is controlled by traffic lights.
Do not park within 15 metres of the nearest rail of a level railway crossing.
Do not park where you will get in the way of traffic or snow clearing.
Never open the door of your parked vehicle without first making sure that you will not endanger any other person or vehicle or interfere with traffic. Generally, a good practice is to use the Dutch reach method, meaning you open the driver’s door with your right hand as this will force a shoulder check at the same time.
After parking your vehicle, always turn off the ignition and the lights, remove the key and lock the door to deter theft. Do not leave children or animals in the vehicle.
Before moving from a parked position, always signal and check for traffic, pulling out only when it is safe to do so.
Parking for people with disabilities
The Accessible Parking Permit, formerly known as the Disabled Person Parking Permit, is a laminated card that may be displayed on the dashboard or turned-down sun visor of any vehicle in which a person with a disability is travelling. The permit entitles the vehicle in which the person named on the permit is travelling to park in designated disabled parking, standing and stopping areas. The permit is issued to the permit holder, not a specific vehicle.
People who have the old version of the permit, the Disabled Person Parking Permit, may continue to use this permit until it expires. Upon its expiry, any new permit issued will be the Accessible Parking Permit.
The Accessible Parking Permit is issued free of charge to qualified individuals. To qualify for an Accessible Parking Permit, a licensed physician, chiropractor, nurse practitioner (extended class) physiotherapist or occupational therapist must certify that the applicant has one or more of the conditions detailed on the Accessible Parking Permit application form.
There are four types of Accessible Parking Permits. List them
A regular permit (blue)
A temporary permit (red)
A traveller permit (purple)
A company permit (green)
types of Accessible Parking Permits: A regular permit (blue)
is issued to people with permanent disabilities and is valid for five years.
Until 2011, all individuals needed to be re-certified before renewing their permit.
Now only individuals whose condition is deemed “subject to change” will need to be re-certified before renewing their permit
types of Accessible Parking Permits: A temporary permit (red)
is issued when the disability is expected to last more than two months, but is not a permanent disability.
The temporary permit is not renewable.
types of Accessible Parking Permits: A traveller permit (purple)
is valid for up to one year and is issued upon request to individuals who hold a valid Accessible Parking Permit and plan to fly from any Ontario airport.
The permit holder places the traveller permit on the dashboard or sun visor of their vehicle when leaving it parked at the airport. The person’s regular permit travels with them.
types of Accessible Parking Permits: A company permit (green)
is valid for up to five years and is issued to companies and non-profit organizations that own or lease vehicles used to transport people with physical disabilities.
Misuse of Accessible parking permits
Misuse or abuse of an Accessible Parking Permit should be reported to the police. Misuse of an Accessible Parking Permit will result in fines and revoked privileges. Accessible Parking Permit applications are available at any Service Ontario Centre or by sending a request to the ministry at the following address:
Service Ontario
Licence Renewals Unit
P.O. Box 9800
Kingston, ON K7L 5N8
Parallel parking
Parallel parking means parking a vehicle with its wheels parallel and next to the curb or side of the road.
Park parallel to the curb on roads where parking is allowed, unless there are signs saying that vehicles should be parked at an angle.
Park on the right side of the road in the direction of traffic.
Unless there are signs saying otherwise, you can parallel park on both sides of a one-way road.
parallel parking on the right-hand side of the road
find a space that is about one and one-half times longer than your vehicle.
Check the traffic beside and behind and signal your wish to pull over and stop.
Drive alongside, or parallel to, the vehicle ahead of the empty space, leaving about a metre between the vehicles.
Stop when your rear bumper is in line with the other vehicle. Follow these steps:
Slowly and carefully reverse into the space, turning the steering wheel fully toward the curb.
When you can see the outside rear corner of the vehicle in front of your space, straighten your wheels as you continue to reverse.
Turn the steering wheel fully toward the road to bring your vehicle in line with the curb.
If your vehicle is not parallel to the curb, drive forward to straighten.
When you are properly parked, set the parking brake and move the gear selector into park, or shift into first or reverse gear if your vehicle has a manual transmission.
Turn off the engine. Remember to remove the key from the ignition. Check traffic before opening your door. Lock your vehicle.
Parking on a hill
When parking facing downhill, turn your front wheels towards the curb or right shoulder. This will keep the vehicle from rolling into traffic if the brakes become disengaged.
Turn the steering wheel to the left so the wheels are turned towards the road if you are facing uphill with a curb. The tires will catch the curb if it rolls backward
When facing uphill without a curb, turn the wheels sharply to the right. If the vehicle rolls, it will go off the road rather than into traffic
When parking on a hill, always set the parking brake and move the gear selector into park, or shift into first or reverse gear if your vehicle has a manual transmission.
Roadside stop: When you need to stop by the side of the road for a short time to check something outside your vehicle, or to look for directions on a map, for example, follow these directions:
Before slowing down, check your mirrors and blind spot to see when the way is clear.
Turn on your signal before slowing down unless there are vehicles waiting to enter the road from side roads or driveways between you and the point where you intend to stop. Wait until you have passed these entrances so that drivers will not think you are turning before the stopping point.
Steer to the side of the road, steadily reducing speed, and stop parallel to the curb or edge of the road. You should not be more than about 30 centimetres away from it. Do not stop where you will block an entrance or other traffic.
Turn off your signal and turn on your hazard lights.
If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, put the gear selector in park and set the parking brake. If your vehicle has a manual transmission, set the parking brake and shift into neutral if not turning off the engine, or shift into low or reverse if turning off the engine.
Pulling out from a roadside stop
When pulling out from a roadside stop, do the following:
Release the parking brake and move the gear selector to drive or shift into first gear.
Turn off your flashers and turn on your left-turn signal.
Just before pulling away from the stop, check your mirrors and blind spot to make sure the way is clear of vehicles and cyclists.
Return to normal traffic speed by accelerating smoothly to blend with the traffic around you. In light traffic, accelerate moderately. In heavier traffic, you may have to accelerate more quickly. In a vehicle with manual transmission, shift gears as you increase speed.
Turn off your left-turn signal as soon as you are back on the road.
A freeway is
is a high-speed, multi-lane road.
On a freeway, traffic going in each direction is separated and ramps let vehicles enter and exit.
Vehicle speed is higher on a freeway than on other roads, so driving can be more demanding and difficult. However, because there are no intersections, bicycles or pedestrians, freeway driving can be safer for experienced drivers.
Class G1 drivers may only drive on freeways with a licensed driving instructor.
Entering a freeway
There are usually two parts to a freeway entrance: an entrance ramp and an acceleration lane.
As you move along the freeway entrance ramp, look ahead and check your mirrors and blind spots to assess the traffic to see where you will move into the nearest freeway lane.
As you leave the ramp you enter the acceleration lane. In the acceleration lane, drivers increase their speed to the speed of traffic on the freeway before they merge with it. Signal and increase your speed to merge smoothly with traffic. Freeway drivers should move over, if it is safe to do so, leaving room for merging vehicles.
A few entrance ramps join the freeway on the left. This means you enter the fastest lane of traffic first. Use the acceleration lane to match your speed to the traffic, increasing your speed more quickly.
Driving along a freeway
a safe driver travels at a steady speed, looking forward and anticipating what’s going to happen on the road ahead. Traffic should keep to the right, using the left lanes for passing.
Look ahead to where you are going to be in the next 15 to 20 seconds, or as far ahead as you can see, when you travel at faster speeds. Remember to keep scanning and check your mirrors frequently.
Stay clear of large vehicles. Because of their size, they block your view more than other vehicles. Leave space around your vehicle.
Be careful not to cut off any vehicle, large or small, when making a lane change or joining the flow of traffic. It is dangerous and illegal for a slower moving vehicle to cut in front of a faster moving vehicle.
Use the far left lane of a multi-lane freeway to pass traffic moving slower than the speed limit, but don’t stay there. Drive in the right-hand lane when possible.
On many freeways with three or more lanes in each direction, large trucks cannot travel in the far left lane and must use the lane to the right for passing. Get into the habit of driving in the right lane, leaving the other lanes clear for passing.
Leaving a freeway
There are usually three parts to a freeway exit: a deceleration lane for slowing down that leads drivers out of the main flow of traffic, an exit ramp and an intersection with a stop sign, yield sign or traffic light.
When leaving the freeway, signal that you want to move into the deceleration lane, but do not slow down. When you are in the lane, reduce your speed gradually to the speed shown for the exit ramp. Check your speedometer to make sure you are going slowly enough. Losing your ability to judge your speed accurately is sometimes called speed adaptation or velocitization.
Be prepared to stop at the end of the exit ramp.
Signs telling you that there are freeway exits ahead are far enough in advance for you to make any lane changes safely. If you miss an exit, do not stop or reverse on the freeway. Take the next exit.
High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane
a specially designed lane that is designated for use by certain types of vehicles with a specified number of occupants.
It can offer travel-time savings to those who choose to carpool or take transit. HOV lanes can move a greater number of people than a general traffic lane.
HOV lanes are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
HOV lanes benefit all drivers, not only those who carpool, in the following ways:
improves highway infrastructure by moving more people in fewer cars
Reduces the number of vehicles on the road
Reduces overall emissions and improves air quality
HOV lanes on provincial highways are reserved for vehicles carrying ….
at least two people (for example, a driver plus at least one passenger in any of the following passenger vehicles: cars, minivans, motorcycles, pickup trucks and buses).
Which vehicles are exempt from the HOV lane rules?
Buses can use an HOV lane at any time, regardless of the number of occupants. Emergency vehicles such as police, fire and ambulance are also exempt from the restrictions.
Using HOV lanes
The HOV lane is separated from the other general traffic lanes by a striped buffer zone. It is illegal and unsafe to cross the striped buffer pavement markings.
If you use the HOV lanes improperly, you can be stopped and ticketed by a police officer. You will be required to re-enter the general lanes at the next entry/exit zone.
Commercial motor vehicles must have two or more people in the vehicle and be less than 6.5 metres in total length to be in the HOV lane. Single-occupant taxis and airport limousines are permitted in the HOV lane.
Vehicles with the “Green” licence plate are permitted in the HOV lane with any number of occupants. Green plates are available for eligible plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and full-battery electric vehicles.
Remember that if you drive responsibly and courteously, you are less likely to spark a road rage situation. U can do so by….
Plan your route in advance. Some of the most erratic and inconsiderate driving occurs when a driver is lost.
Drive in a courteous and considerate manner.
Yield the right-of-way when it is courteous to do so.
Be polite and let other drivers in front of you when they are signalling that they would like to do so.
If you make a mistake while driving, indicate that you are sorry. An apology can greatly reduce the risk of conflict.
Don’t return aggression. Avoid eye contact and do not gesture back. Keep away from erratic drivers.
If you are in a situation in which you feel threatened by another driver, do the following:
Stay in your vehicle and lock the doors.
If you have a cell phone, call police.
Use your horn and signals to attract attention.
If you believe you are being followed, do not drive home. Drive to a police station or a busy public place.
Street racing runs the risk of….
Street racers run the risk of being charged under the Criminal Code of Canada.
Drowsy driving
Tired drivers can be as impaired as drunk drivers. They have a slower reaction time and are less alert.
Studies have shown that collisions involving drowsiness tend to occur during late night/early morning hours (between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.) or late afternoon (between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.). Studies also indicate that shift workers, people with undiagnosed or untreated sleep disorders, and commercial-vehicle operators, are at greater risk for such collisions.
Scientific research confirms that you can fall asleep without actually being aware of it. Here are eight important warning signs that your drowsiness is serious enough to place you at risk:
You have difficulty keeping your eyes open.
Your head keeps tilting forward despite your efforts to keep your eyes on the road.
Your mind keeps wandering and you can’t seem to concentrate.
You yawn frequently.
You can’t remember details about the last few kilometres you have travelled.
You are missing traffic lights and signals.
Your vehicle drifts into the next lane and you have to jerk it back into your lane.
You have drifted off the road and narrowly avoided a crash.
If you have one of these symptoms, you may be in danger of falling asleep. Pull off the road and park your vehicle in a safe, secure place. Use well-lit rest stops or truck stops on busy roads. Lock your doors, roll up your windows and take a nap.
Stimulants are never a substitute for sleep. Drinks containing caffeine can help you feel more alert but, if you are sleep deprived, the effects wear off quickly. The same is true of turning up the volume of your radio or CD player and opening the window.
Workers on the road (only adding stuff I don’t know)
Traffic-control workers direct vehicle traffic in work zones and prevent conflicts between construction activity and traffic. Whether you are driving during the day or at night, watch for traffic-control people and follow their instructions.
If your lane is blocked and no one is directing traffic, yield to the driver coming from the opposite direction. When the way is clear, move slowly and carefully around the obstacle.
Recent changes to the Highway Traffic Act have resulted in doubled fines for speeding in a construction zone when workers are present. It is also an offence to disobey STOP or SLOW signs displayed by a traffic-control person or firefighter.
Animals on the road
Crashes involving animals (mainly moose and deer) are a growing problem.
If you see an animal on or near the road, slow down and pass carefully as they may suddenly bolt onto the road. Many areas of the province have animal crossing signs which warn drivers of the danger of large animals (such as moose, deer or cattle) crossing the road. Be cautious when you see these signs, especially during dusk-to-dawn hours when wild animals are most active.
To reduce ur chances of hitting an animal….
Reduce speed in darkness, rain and fog. These conditions can reduce your ability to see an animal on or near the road.
Travel at a safe speed and stay alert. Driver inattention and speed are common factors in animal-vehicle crashes.
Watch for shining eyes at the roadside. If you do see shining eyes, slow down and be ready to stop.
Keep your windshield clean and headlights properly adjusted.
Use high beams whenever possible and safe to do so, and scan both sides of the road ahead.
If you see an animal:
Slow down and sound your horn.
Be alert for other animals that may be with the one you’ve seen.
Don’t try to drive around the animal. Animal movements are unpredictable.
If you wish to watch an animal, find a safe place to pull completely off the road and park first. Do not park on the shoulder of the road, as other drivers may be distracted by the animal and hit your vehicle.
Stay in your vehicle; getting out increases your chance of being hit by another vehicle.
If you hit a deer or moose, report it to the local police service or the Ministry of Natural Resources. Do not try to move an injured animal.
Distracted driving: While you are driving, including when you are stopped in traffic or at a red light, it is illegal to:
use a phone or other hand-held wireless communication device to text or dial, except to call 911 in an emergency
use a hand-held electronic entertainment device, such as a tablet or portable gaming console
view display screens unrelated to driving, such as watching a video
program a GPS device, except by voice commands
You are allowed to use hands-free wireless communications devices with an earpiece, lapel button or Bluetooth. You can view GPS display screens as long as they are built into your vehicle’s dashboard or securely mounted.
Other actions such as eating, drinking, grooming, smoking, reading and reaching for objects are not part of Ontario’s distracted driving law. However, you can still be charged with careless or dangerous driving.
Careless driving
You could face charges for careless driving if you endanger other people because of any kind of distraction. This includes distraction caused by both hand-held (e.g., phone) or hands-free (e.g., Bluetooth) devices.
You could even be charged with dangerous driving – a criminal offence that carries heavier penalties, including long jail terms.
How dangerous is distracted driving?
About 100 people are killed and 16,000 are injured by distracted drivers every year in Ontario. About one in four of those deaths are vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.
Research shows that young people 16-25 are more likely to drive distracted than any age group and are the most likely to be killed or injured in a distracted driving collision.
Texting or browsing on your phone takes your eyes off the road and increases your risk of crashing by 10 times. In fact, a recent study found that drivers who were texting or changing music on their phones traveled 28 metres further (nearly half a hockey rink) before responding to a hazard than drivers who were paying attention
For every 10-year increase in the driver’s age, drivers were 44% less likely to text, 38% less likely to use a handheld phone, and 28% less likely to use a hands-free phone.
Reacting to an approaching emergency vehicle
When an emergency vehicle is approaching your vehicle from any direction with its flashing red or red and blue lights, or siren or bell sounding, you are required to bring your vehicle to an immediate stop.
When bringing your vehicle to a stop, you are required to bring your vehicle as near as is practical to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. When on a one-way road or divided highway having more than two lanes of traffic, move to the closest curb or edge of the roadway.
Your vehicle should be parallel to the roadway and clear of any intersections, including highway on/off ramps. Do not move onto or stop on the shoulder of the roadway, as emergency vehicles may be travelling along it.
If you are in an intersection and preparing to make a turn when an emergency vehicle is approaching, you should abandon the turn and clear the intersection by proceeding straight when safe to do so, then pull to the right and stop. This will clear the intersection and minimize the possibility of a collision with the emergency vehicle should it be passing you on the side you intended to turn towards.
When the emergency vehicle has passed, check to make sure the way is clear and signal before merging back into traffic. Remain vigilant for additional emergency vehicles, and remember it is illegal to follow within 150 metres of a fire vehicle responding to an alarm.
Some firefighters and volunteer medical responders may display a flashing green light when using their own vehicles to respond to a fire or medical emergency.
Police or other enforcement officers may require you to pull over and bring your vehicle to an immediate stop.
When stopping your vehicle, follow the previous procedures, except that you should bring your vehicle to a stop outside of traffic lanes and onto the shoulder of the roadway where possible, or turn and stop on a side street with less traffic if in the immediate vicinity. If the officer gives direction as to where to stop, follow the officer’s directions.
Reacting to a stopped emergency vehicle or tow truck
When approaching any emergency vehicle with its lights flashing in the same direction of your travel, you are required to reduce the speed of your vehicle and proceed with caution.
When reducing your speed, assess the speed of the surrounding traffic and the condition of the roadway . Brake early and gradually to allow surrounding traffic to better adjust to a reduced speed and to ensure you have full control of your vehicle when braking.
If your vehicle has a manual transmission, it is recommended that you use your brakes, versus shifting down to a lower gear, in order to activate your rear brake lights and indicate to other drivers that you are slowing down.
When the roadway has two or more lanes of traffic in the same direction of your travel, you are required to move into a lane away from the emergency vehicle or tow truck, if safe to do so, in addition to reducing the speed of your vehicle and proceeding with caution. Signal and follow lane change rules.
When safe to do so, change lanes well in advance of an emergency vehicle or a stopped tow truck with its flashing amber lights. Once in the lane, brake gradually and continue to reduce the speed of your vehicle when safe to do so. Be aware of any vehicles approaching fast to the rear of your vehicle.
Keep roadway shoulders, intersections and highway ramps clear for emergency-vehicle use.
Failing to respond to an emergency vehicle
Take emergency flashing lights and sirens seriously. Proceed with caution, clear the way and bring your vehicle to a stop, where required. It’s the law. If you don’t stop, you can be fined and get 3 demerit points for a first offence. For additional offences, fines increase and you could also go to jail for up to six months.
Please note the above law, fines and penalties are also applicable to a tow truck with its lamp producing intermittent flashes of amber light that is stopped on a highway.
Overdriving your headlights
You are overdriving your headlights when you go so fast that your stopping distance is farther than you can see with your headlights. T
his is a dangerous thing to do, because you may not give yourself enough room to make a safe stop.
Reflective road signs can mislead you as well, making you believe you can see farther than you really can. This may cause you to over-drive your headlights if you are not careful
Glare
Glare is dazzling light that makes it hard for you to see and be aware what others around you are doing.
It can be a problem on both sunny and overcast days, depending on the angle of the sun’s rays and your surroundings.
Glare can also be a problem at night when you face bright headlights or see them reflected in your rear view mirror.
When meeting oncoming vehicles with bright headlights at night, look up and beyond and slightly to the right of the oncoming lights.
In daytime glare, use your sun visor or keep a pair of good quality sunglasses in your vehicle. When you enter a tunnel on a bright day, slow down to let your eyes adjust to the reduced light. Remove your sunglasses and turn on your headlights.
Cut down glare at night using your low-beam headlights within 150 metres of an oncoming vehicle or when following a vehicle within 60 metres.
On country roads, switch to low beams when you come to a curve or hilltop so you can see oncoming headlights and won’t blind oncoming drivers. If you can’t see any headlights, switch back to high beams.
Tips for driving safely in fog (only non-logical ones and ones that I don’t know)
Keep your windows and mirrors clean. Use your defroster and wipers to maximize your vision.
Use your low-beam lights.
If the fog is too dense to continue, pull completely off the road and try to position your vehicle in a safe parking area. Turn on your emergency flashers, in addition to keeping on your low-beam headlights.
DON’T:
Don’t stop on the travelled portion of the road. You could become the first link in a chain-reaction collision.
Don’t speed up suddenly, even if the fog seems to be clearing. You could find yourself suddenly back in fog.
Don’t speed up to pass a vehicle moving slowly or to get away from a vehicle that is following too closely.
Rain
If there is too much water or if you are going too fast, your tires may ride on top of the water, like water skis. This is called hydroplaning. When this happens, control becomes very difficult. Make sure you have good tires with deep tread, and slow down when the road is wet.
Rain also reduces visibility. Drive slowly enough to be able to stop within the distance you can see. Make sure your windshield wipers are in good condition.
Smooth steering, braking and accelerating will reduce the chance of skids Leave more space between you and the vehicle ahead in case you have to stop. This will also help you to avoid spray from the vehicle ahead that can make it even harder to see.
Avoid driving in puddles. A puddle can hide a large pothole that could damage your vehicle or its suspension, or flatten a tire. The spray of water could obstruct the vision of adjacent motorists and result in a collision, cause harm to nearby pedestrians or drown your engine, causing it to stall. Water can also make your brakes less effective.
Flooded roads
Avoid driving on flooded roads, water may prevent your brakes from working.
If you must drive through a flooded stretch of road, test your brakes afterward to dry them out. Test your brakes when it is safe to do so by stopping quickly and firmly at 50 km/h. Make sure the vehicle stops in a straight line, without pulling to one side.
The brake pedal should feel firm and secure, not spongy, that’s a sign of trouble.
Skids
A skid may happen when one or more tires lose their grip with the road’s surface. Skids most often happen on a slippery surface, such as a road that is wet, icy or covered with snow, gravel or some other loose material.
To avoid a skid on a slippery road, drive at a reduced speed and operate the vehicle’s controls in a smooth and constrained manner.
it is possible to maintain control of your vehicle, even in a skid. Ease off on the accelerator or brake and on a very slippery surface slip the transmission into neutral if you can. Continue to steer in the direction you wish to go. Be careful not to oversteer. Once you regain control, you can brake as needed, but very gently and smoothly.
Anti-lock braking systems (ABS)
If your vehicle is equipped with anti-lock brakes, practice emergency braking to understand how your vehicle will react. It is a good idea to practice doing this under controlled conditions with a qualified driving instructor cuz drivers unfamiliar with anti-lock braking may be surprised by the pulsations that they may feel in the brake pedal when they brake hard.
ABS is designed to sense the speed of the wheels on a vehicle during braking. An abnormal drop in wheel speed, which indicates potential wheel lock, causes the brake force to be reduced to that wheel.
This is how ABS prevents tire skid and the accompanying loss of steering control. This improves vehicle safety during heavy brake use or when braking with poor traction.
Although anti-lock braking systems help to prevent wheel lock, you should not expect the stopping distance for your vehicle to be shortened.
Threshold braking
Threshold braking should bring you to a reasonably quick controlled stop in your own lane, even in slippery conditions.
This technique is generally practised in a vehicle that is not equipped with ABS. Brake as hard as you can until a wheel begins to lock up, then release pressure on the pedal slightly to release the wheel.
Press down on the brake pedal, applying as much braking force as possible without inducing a skid. If you feel any of the wheels begin to lock up, release the brake pressure slightly and re-apply.
Don’t pump the brakes. Continue braking this way until you have slowed the vehicle to the desired speed.
Snow
Snow may be hard-packed and slippery as ice; rutted, full of hard tracks and gullies; or smooth and soft. Look ahead and anticipate what you must do based on the conditions.
Slow down on rutted, snowy roads.
Avoid sudden steering, braking or accelerating that could cause a skid.
Do not use cruise control during times of snow and other inclement weather.
Whiteouts
Blowing snow may create whiteouts where snow completely blocks your view of the road. When blowing snow is forecast, drive only if necessary and with extreme caution.
Tips for driving in blowing snow and whiteout conditions (only the less obvious ones)
Make sure the full lighting system of your vehicle is turned on.
Use your low-beam headlights. High beams reflect off the ice particles in the snow, making it harder to see. If you have fog lights on your vehicle, use them, in addition to your low beams.
Increase your following distance. You will need extra space to brake safely.
Avoid passing, changing lanes and crossing traffic.
Keep your windows and mirrors clean. Use defroster and wipers to maximize your vision.
Try to get off the road when visibility is near zero. Pull into a safe parking area if possible.
Don’t stop on the travelled portion of the road. You could become the first link in a chain-reaction collision.
If you become stuck or stranded in severe weather, stay with your vehicle for warmth and safety until help arrives. Open a window slightly for ventilation. Run your motor sparingly. Use your emergency flashers.
Be prepared and carry a winter driving survival kit that includes items such as warm clothing, non-perishable energy foods, flashlight, shovel and blanket.
Ice
As temperatures drop below freezing, wet roads become icy.
Sections of road in shaded areas or on bridges and overpasses freeze first. It is important to look ahead, slow down and anticipate ice.
If the road ahead looks like black and shiny asphalt, be suspicious. It may be covered by a thin layer of ice known as black ice. Generally, asphalt in the winter should look gray-white in colour.
If you think there may be black ice ahead, slow down and be careful.
Snow plows
Snow-removal vehicles on public roadways are equipped with flashing blue lights that can be seen from 150 metres.
Flashing blue lights warn you of wide and slow-moving vehicles: some snow plows have a wing that extends as far as three metres to the right of the vehicle.
On freeways, several snow plows may be staggered across the road, clearing all lanes at the same time by passing a ridge of snow from plow to plow.
–> Do not try to pass between them. This is extremely dangerous because there is not enough room to pass safely, and the ridge of wet snow can throw your vehicle out of control.
If your brakes fail
Try pumping the brake pedal to temporarily restore hydraulic brake pressure.
If this does not work, apply the parking brake gently but firmly while holding the release button.
It is a good idea for new drivers to practice a parking-brake emergency stop under controlled conditions with a qualified driving instructor.
Total brake failure is very rare on modern vehicles. If your brakes do fail and you manage to stop, do not drive away. Call for help.
If your gas pedal sticks
First try to lift the pedal by slipping your foot under it.
If this does not work, turn on your hazard lights, shift to neutral and stop as soon as you safely can, preferably off the road.
Do not reach down with your hands while the vehicle is moving.
Turn off the ignition and do not drive away. Call for help.
If your headlights go out
Check the switch immediately. If the lights stay out, turn on your hazard lights and bring your vehicle to a safe stop off the road.
Call for help. It is dangerous and illegal to drive at night without lights.
If you have trouble on a freeway
At the first sign of trouble, begin to pull over. Never stop in the driving lanes.
Check your mirrors, put on your hazard lights, take your foot off the gas pedal and pull over to the nearest shoulder as quickly as possible.
Be careful getting out of your vehicle. If possible, leave through the door away from traffic. Do not raise the hood.
While you wait for help, stay in your vehicle with the doors locked. If someone stops to help, ask them to call the police or automobile club for you. If you have a cellular phone, call for help yourself.
The Queen Elizabeth Way, the 400-series freeways and many other high-speed roads are patrolled by the Ontario Provincial Police.
If your wheels go off the pavement
Don’t panic. Grip the steering wheel firmly. Take your foot off the gas pedal to slow down.
Avoid heavy braking.
When the vehicle is under control, steer toward the pavement. Be prepared to correct your steering and increase speed when your wheels are fully back on the pavement.
If a tire blows out
Blowouts can cause tremendous steering and wheel vibration, but don’t be alarmed.
Take your foot off the gas pedal to slow down and steer the vehicle firmly & bring the vehicle to a stop off the road.
In a collision where someone is injured
St. John Ambulance recommends that all drivers carry a well-stocked first-aid kit and know how to use it.
Every driver involved in a collision must stay at the scene or return to it immediately and give all possible assistance. If you are not personally involved in a collision, you should stop to offer help if police or other officials have not arrived.
In a collision with injuries, possible fuel leaks or serious vehicle damage, stay calm and follow these steps:
Call for help or have someone else call. By law, you must report any collision to the police when there are injuries or damage to vehicles or other property exceeding $2,000.
Turn off all engines and turn on emergency flashers. Set up warning signals or flares, or have someone warn approaching drivers.
Do not let anyone smoke, light a match or put flares near any vehicle, in case of a fuel leak. If a vehicle is on fire, get the people out and make sure everyone is well out of the way. If there is no danger of fire or explosion, leave injured people where they are until trained medical help arrives.
If you are trained in first aid, treat injuries in the order of urgency, within the level of your training.
If you are not trained in first aid, use common sense. For example, people in collisions often go into shock. Cover the person with a jacket or blanket to reduce the effects of shock.
Stay with injured people until help arrives.
Disabled vehicles on the road may be a danger to you and other drivers. Do what you can to make sure everyone involved in a collision is kept safe.
In a collision where no one is injured: Follow these steps in a collision where there are no injuries:
If the vehicles are drivable, move them as far off the road as possible as this should not affect the police officer’s investigation. Important on busy or high-speed roads. –> If you can “Steer it, Clear it”. If you cannot move the vehicles off the road, set up warning signals or flares far enough away to give other traffic time to slow down or stop.
Call police. By law, you must report any collision to the police when there are injuries or damage to vehicles or property exceeding $2,000.
Give all possible help to police or anyone whose vehicle has been damaged. This includes giving police your name and address, the name and address of the registered owner of the vehicle, the vehicle plate and permit number and the liability insurance card.
Get the names, addresses and phone numbers of all witnesses.
If damage is less than $2,000, you are still required by law to exchange information with anyone whose vehicle has been damaged. However, the collision does not have to be reported to the police.
If you have a camera or cell phone with a camera and it is safe to do so, take photos of the collision scene.
If your vehicle must be towed, get the name and licence number of the tow truck operator and/or company. Make sure you understand where your vehicle is being towed.
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible if you intend to make a claim.
Smog is
Hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen react in sunlight to form ground-level ozone, AKA smog.
Smog is a major health hazard responsible for respiratory ailments and other illnesses.
Tips to help protect the environment. Before you drive: (only unobvious ones)
Avoid driving during rush hours. Driving in off-peak times takes less time, uses less fuel and releases fewer emissions.
Pay attention to smog alerts. It is especially important to follow these suggestions on days when smog is bad.
Tips to help protect the environment. While driving: (only unobvious ones)
Turn off your vehicle if parked more than 10 seconds. Even in cold weather, vehicle engines warm up within 30 seconds.
Obey the speed limits. Driving at high speed uses more fuel and increases your chances of a serious collision.
On the freeway, use your vehicle’s overdrive gear and cruise control for better fuel efficiency.
Remove unnecessary weight from your vehicle, such as heavy baggage, wet snow and winter sand or salt.
Maintain your vehicle’s aerodynamics. Remove roof racks and compartments when not in use. At high speeds, use your vents instead of opening the windows.
Use your vehicle’s air conditioning wisely. At high speeds, using your air conditioning is usually more fuel efficient than opening your windows and reducing the vehicle’s aerodynamics.
Don’t “top-off” the tank when refueling. Spilled fuel releases harmful vapours.
Tips to help protect the environment. At the garage:
Regular maintenance will keep your vehicle running at maximum efficiency, reducing the fuel you need to buy and the pollutants your vehicle emits.
Keep your vehicle’s engine well tuned. Worn spark plugs, dragging brakes, low transmission fluid or a transmission not going into high gear can increase fuel consumption substantially.
Follow the recommended maintenance schedule in your vehicle owner’s manual to maximize fuel efficiency.
Have any fluid leaks checked by a specialist to avoid engine damage and harming the environment.
Keep your tires properly inflated to reduce your fuel bill, emissions and tire wear.
Have your vehicle’s alignment checked regularly to reduce uneven tire wear and fuel consumption.
Other than the main ones, there are four other kinds of signs: (list them)
regulatory
warning
temporary conditions
information and direction.
Regulatory signs
These signs give a direction that must be obeyed.
They are usually rectangular or square with a white or black background and black, white or coloured letters.
A sign with a green circle means you may or must do the activity shown inside the ring.
A red circle with a line through it means the activity shown is not allowed.
Warning signs
These signs warn of dangerous or unusual conditions ahead such as a curve, turn, dip or sideroad.
They are usually diamond-shaped and have a yellow background with black letters or symbols.
Temporary condition signs
These signs warn of unusual temporary conditions such as road work zones, diversions, detours, lane closures or traffic control people on the road.
They are usually diamond-shaped with an orange background and black letters or symbols.
Information and direction signs
These signs tell you about distances and destinations.
They are usually rectangular with a green background and white letters.
Other signs with different colours guide you to facilities, services and attractions.
Green light
A green light means you may turn left, go straight or turn right after yielding to vehicles and pedestrians already in the intersection. When turning left or right you must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing the intersection.
Yellow light
A yellow - or amber - light means the red light is about to appear. You must stop if you can do so safely; otherwise, go with caution.
Red light
A red light means you must stop. Bring your vehicle to a complete stop at the stop line if it is marked on the pavement. If there is no stop line, stop at the crosswalk, marked or not. If there is no crosswalk, stop at the edge of the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, stop at the edge of the intersection.
Wait until the light changes to green and the intersection is clear before moving through it.
Unless a sign tells you not to, you may turn right on a red light only after coming to a complete stop and waiting until the way is clear.
You may also turn left on a red light if you are moving from a one-way road onto a one-way road, but you must come to a complete stop first and wait until the way is clear.
Advance green light or arrow
When you face a flashing green light OR a left-pointing green arrow and a green light, you may turn LEFT , go straight ahead or turn RIGHT from the proper lane. This is called an advanced green light because oncoming traffic still faces a red light.
Pedestrians must not cross on a flashing green light unless a pedestrian signal tells them to.
Simultaneous left turn
When a left-turn green arrow is shown with a red light, you may turn left from the left-turn lane. Vehicles turning left from the opposite direction may also be making left turns because they too face a left-turn green arrow.
After the left-turn green arrow, a yellow arrow may appear. This means the green light is about to appear for traffic in one or both directions. Do not start your left turn. Stop if you can do so safely; otherwise, complete your turn with caution.
You can still turn left when the light is green, but only when the way is clear of traffic and pedestrians. If the light turns red when you are in the intersection, complete your turn when it is safe.
Pedestrians must not cross on a left-turn green arrow unless a pedestrian signal tells them to.
Transit priority signals
Traffic and pedestrians must yield to public transit vehicles at a transit priority signal.
The round signal is on top of a regular traffic signal and shows a white vertical bar on a dark background.
This allows transit vehicles to go through, turn right or left, while all conflicting traffic faces a red light.
Fully protected left turn
Some intersections have separate traffic lights for left-turning traffic and for traffic going through the intersection or turning right.
When a left-turn green arrow appears for traffic in the left-turn lane, traffic going straight ahead or turning right will usually see a red light. You may turn left from the left-turn lane when you face a green arrow. Vehicles from the opposite direction may also be turning left. (double traffic lights example)
After the left-turn green arrow, a yellow light appears for left-turning vehicles only.
After the yellow light, a red light appears for left-turning vehicles only. Traffic going straight ahead or turning right will face a green light or green arrows pointing straight ahead and to the right.
In these intersections, you may NOT begin turning left after the green light appears for traffic going straight ahead or turning right. If the light turns yellow while you are in the intersection, complete your turn with caution.
Flashing red light
You must come to a complete stop at a flashing red light. Move through the intersection only when it is safe.
Flashing yellow light
A flashing yellow light means you should drive with caution when approaching and moving through the intersection.
Blank traffic lights
During an electrical power loss, traffic lights at intersections will not work.
Yield the right-of-way to vehicles in the intersection and to vehicles entering the intersection from your right.
Go cautiously and use the intersection the same way you would use an intersection with all-way stop signs.
Traffic beacons
A traffic beacon is a single flashing light hung over an intersection or placed over signs or on obstacles in the road.
Flashing red beacon
A flashing red beacon above an intersection or stop sign means you must come to a complete stop. Move through the intersection only when it is safe to do so.
Flashing yellow beacon
A flashing yellow beacon above an intersection, above a warning sign or on an obstruction in the road, warns you to drive with caution.
Pedestrian signals
Pedestrian signals help pedestrians cross at intersections with traffic lights. The signal for pedestrians to walk is a white walking symbol. A flashing or steady orange hand symbol means pedestrians must not begin to cross.
While crossing, pedestrians have the right-of-way over all vehicles.
A pedestrian facing a flashing or steady hand symbol should not begin to cross the road. Pedestrians who have already begun to cross when the hand signal appears, should go as quickly as possible to a safe area. While they are crossing, pedestrians still have the right-of-way over vehicles.
At intersections with traffic lights where there are no pedestrian signals, pedestrians facing a green light may cross. Pedestrians may not cross on a flashing green light or a left-turn green arrow.
Intersection pedestrian signals
Where there are pedestrian push-buttons, a pedestrian must use the button to bring on the walk signal.
Pedestrian signals give people more time to cross than regular traffic lights.
On a busy main road, an intersection pedestrian signal helps people to cross the road safely by signalling traffic to stop.
The intersection pedestrian signal has one or more crosswalks; pedestrian walk and don’t walk signals; push buttons for pedestrians; and, traffic signal lights on the main road only. Stop signs control traffic on the smaller, less busy crossroad.
Solid and broken lines between lanes
2 solid Yellow lines separate traffic travelling in opposite directions. White lines separate traffic travelling in the same direction.
A solid line at your side of your lane means it is unsafe to pass.
A broken line at your side of your lane means you may pass if the way is clear.
Broken lines that are wider and closer together than regular broken lines are = continuity lines.
When you see continuity lines on your left side, it generally means the lane you are in is ending or exiting and that you must change lanes if you want to continue in your current direction.
Continuity lines on your right mean your lane will continue unaffected.
a single white line painted across the road at an intersection is …
A stop line
It shows where you must stop. If there is no stop line marked on the road, stop at the crosswalk, marked or not. If there is no crosswalk, stop at the edge of the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, stop at the edge of the intersection.
A crosswalk is marked by _______________________ painted across the road.
two parallel white lines
However, crosswalks at intersections are not always marked. If there is no stop line, stop at the crosswalk. If there is no crosswalk, stop at the edge of the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, stop at the edge of the intersection.
Pedestrian crossovers are identified by
….specific signs, overhead yellow lights, and pavement markings. Pedestrian crossovers are marked by two white double parallel lines across the road with an X in each lane approaching it.
Drivers and cyclists must stop before the line and yield to pedestrians until pedestrians have completely crossed the road and cleared the roadway.
A white arrow painted on a lane means …
you may move only in the direction of the arrow.
You must carry your ________ with you whenever you drive.
licence
Ontario has a one-piece driver’s licence. The licence card has a photograph and signature of the driver. All drivers in Ontario should have a one-piece licence card.
Renewing your licence
You will get a renewal application form in the mail. Take the form into any ServiceOntario Centre in the province. They are all equipped to take photographs. You will be asked to sign the form, show identification, pay a fee and have your photograph taken. You will get a temporary licence on the spot if your application and documents are in order, and your permanent one will be mailed to you.
If you do not get a renewal application form in the mail when your licence is due for renewal, call the Ministry of Transportation.
You are responsible for making sure you have a valid driver’s licence.
You can renew an expired car or motorcycle driver’s licence within one year without taking any tests.
If your licence has been suspended, cancelled or expired for more than three years, you will be required to re-apply for a licence in Ontario and meet all the requirements of graduated licensing, including passing all the required tests.
Senior drivers age 80 or older: Licensing
If you are 80 years of age or older, you are required to renew your driver’s licence every two years. This renewal process helps keep seniors mobile and independent longer, while helping to ensure that unsafe drivers are identified and appropriate actions are taken.
You need to undergo a driving-record review, complete a vision test and participate in a 45-minute group education session, followed by an in-class screening component. The in-class screening component will help better assess your fitness to drive.
You may be required to pass a road test before being able to renew your licence, or you may be able to renew but will have to follow up and submit medical information. The driver improvement counsellor at the group education session will discuss this with you.
There is no charge for any of the licence-renewal requirements. You only have to pay the licence-renewal fee.
How aging affects driving safety
Reduced vision - especially at night
Difficulty judging distance and speed
Limited movement and range of motion
Slower reaction time
Difficulty focusing attention for long periods of time
Easily distracted
More time needed to understand what you see and hear
More use of prescription and/or over-the-counter drugs that may impair your driving ability
What you can do to make your driving safer: Your health is a key factor in your ability to drive. To help you handle the demands of safe driving:
Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure current and new medications will not negatively affect your ability to drive. Over-the-counter drugs and combinations of drugs can also impair your driving.
Report to your doctor:vision changes, unexplained dizziness or fainting spells; frequent, chronic or severe pain.
Avoid driving if you’re experiencing pain. It can decrease your ability to concentrate and limit your movement behind the wheel.
Have your hearing and eyes checked regularly. Peripheral vision and depth perception tend to decline over the years.
Your doctor can recommend an exercise program to improve flexibility and maintain strength, which can help your ability to drive safely.
Consider taking a driver’s course to refresh your knowledge of the rules of the road and safe driving practices.
Ask yourself: How’s my driving? Take this test and ask yourself these questions:
Am I experiencing an increasing number of near collisions?
Have I been directly involved in minor collisions?
Do I have difficulty driving through intersections, judging distance or seeing pedestrians, road signs or other vehicles?
Do I have difficulty concentrating while driving?
Do I get lost or disoriented on familiar roads?
Do I have difficulty coordinating hand and foot movements?
Am I experiencing vision problems, especially at night?
Do I get nervous behind the wheel?
Do other motorists frequently honk at me?
Do family members express concern about my driving ability?
How important is driving to me?
Graduated licensing requalification
Under graduated licensing, novice drivers (Class G1, G2, M1 and M2) progress through a two-step licensing process by completing the mandatory time periods for each level and passing the required road tests.
Except for Class M1, novice drivers have five years to complete the graduated-licensing process.
However, if licence is about to expire and you have not completed the process, you can regain or retain the same class of licence by passing a test and paying the five-year licensing fee. This is called “requalification.”
A notice is sent to Class G1, G2 and M2 drivers before their licence expiry date to inform them of their options.
If you do not complete the graduated-licensing process or requalify before your G1, G2 or M2 licence expires, you will not have a licence to drive, and you must reapply for a Level One licence.
What documents will you need to change the name on your driver’s licence.
If reason of name change is marriage–> Government issued marriage certificate & Change-of-name certificate
If reason of name change is common law alliance–> Change-of-name certificate
If reason of name change is adoption–> Court order for adoption & Change-of-name certificate
If reason of name change is under Change of Name Act–>Change-of-name certificate
Changing your name or address
You must tell the Ministry of Transportation within 6 days of changing your name or address.
You will need a new licence when you change your address. You can change your address on the ServiceOntario website or you can take the change of information to a Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office, or mail it to the Ministry of Transportation
The ministry will send you a new licence. When you get it, destroy your old licence and carry the new one with you whenever you drive.
When your name changes, you need a new licence. Take the documents you must show and your current licence to a Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office. A new photograph will be taken. You will get a temporary licence to use until your permanent licence is mailed to you. Carry it with you whenever you drive.
There is no charge for getting a new licence because you change your name or address.
Driver’s licence laws: It is illegal to:
Lend your licence
Let someone else use it
Use an altered licence
Use another licence as your own
Have more than one Ontario driver’s licence
Use a fictitious or imitation licence
Demerit points stay on your record for ____________ from the date of the offence. If you accumulate too many demerit points, your driver’s licence can be ___________.
two years, suspended
New drivers - demerit-point system for Level One and Level Two drivers
Two or more points –> You will receive a warning letter.
Six points –> You will receive a second warning letter encouraging you to improve your driving behaviour.
Nine or more points–> Your licence will be suspended for 60 days from the date you surrender it to the Ministry of Transportation. You can lose your licence for up to two years if you fail to surrender your licence. After the suspension, the number of points on your record will be reduced to four. Any extra points could again bring you to the interview level. If you reach nine points again, your licence may be suspended for six months.
As a Level One or Level Two driver, you will have your licence suspended if you accumulate nine or more demerit points during a two-year period.
If you are a novice driver and are convicted of violating any novice condition, an offence that is associated with four or more demerit points or receive a court-ordered suspension for an offence that would have resulted in four or more demerit points, you will receive the appropriate penalty and Novice Driver Escalating Sanction licence suspension. However, the demerit points will be recorded as zero on your record, and will not be counted towards the accumulated demerit point system.
Fully licensed drivers - demerit-point system for fully licensed drivers
Six points –> You will receive a warning letter recommending that you improve your driving skills.
Nine points –> You will receive a second warning letter encouraging you to improve your driving behaviour.
Nine points –> You will receive a second warning letter encouraging you to improve your driving behaviour.
15 points –> Your licence will be suspended for 30 days from the date you hand over your licence to the Ministry of Transportation. You can lose your licence for up to two years if you fail to surrender it. After the suspension, the number of points on your driver’s record will be reduced to seven. Any extra points could again bring you to the interview level. If you reach 15 points again, your licence will be suspended for six months.
Seven demerit point offences
Failing to remain at the scene of a collision
Failing to stop for police
Six demerit point offences
Careless driving
Racing
Exceeding the speed limit by 40km/h or more on roads with a speed limit of less than 80km/h
Exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/h or more
Failing to stop for a school bus
Five demerit point offences
Driver of bus failing to stop at unprotected railway crossing
Four demerit point offences
Exceeding the speed limit by 30 to 49 km/h
Following too closely
Failing to stop at a pedestrian crossover
Three demerit point offences
Exceeding the speed limit by 16 to 29 km/h
Driving through, around or under a railway crossing barrier
Driving while holding or using a hand-held wireless communications/entertainment device or viewing a display screen unrelated to the driving task
Failing to yield the right-of-way
Failing to obey a stop sign, traffic light or railway crossing signal
Failing to obey traffic control stop sign
Failing to obey traffic control slow sign
Failing to obey school crossing stop sign
Failing to obey the directions of a police officer
Driving or going the wrong way on a divided road
Failing to report a collision to a police officer
Improper driving where road is divided into lanes
Crowding the driver’s seat
Driving or operating a vehicle on a closed road
Crossing a divided road where no proper crossing is provided
Failing to slow and carefully pass a stopped emergency vehicle
Failing to move, where possible, into another lane when passing a stopped emergency vehicle
Driving a vehicle equipped with a radar detector
Improper use of a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane
Improper opening of a vehicle door
Two demerit point offences
Failing to lower headlight beam
Prohibited turns
Towing people - on toboggans, bicycles, skis, for example
Failing to obey signs
Failing to share the road
Improper right or left turn
Failing to signal
Unnecessary slow driving
Reversing on a highway
Driver failing to wear a seatbelt
Driver failing to ensure infant passenger is secured
Driver failing to ensure toddler passenger is secured
Driver failing to ensure child is secured
Driver failing to ensure passenger under 16 years is wearing seatbelt
Driver failing to ensure that a passenger under 16 years is sitting in a seat that has a seatbelt
Suspensions
Your licence may also be suspended for the following reasons other than the obvious ones like impaired driving & careless driving:
Escalating sanctions
Zero Blood-Alcohol Concentration (BAC) for novice and young drivers
Medical suspension
Discretionary HTA suspensions
Mandatory HTA suspensions
Administrative driver’s licence suspension (ADLS)
“Warn-range” suspension
Novice-driver violations
Escalating sanctions
Escalating sanctions for novice drivers would apply if any of the following occurrences have taken place within a five-year period:
Any repeat violations of novice restrictions
Any HTA (Highway Traffic Act) convictions for four or more demerit points
Court-ordered licence suspensions.
Sanctions – dangerous behaviours
The risk of a fatality or serious injury is almost five times greater for vehicles crashing at 50 km/h or more above the posted highway limit. The increase in risk is even greater on roads with lower posted limits.
Other types of aggressive driving include:
driving 40 km/h or more above the posted speed limit on roads with a speed limit less than 80km/h
driving 50 km/h or more above the posted speed limit
driving a motor vehicle to prevent another vehicle from passing
intentionally cutting off another vehicle
street racing
driving stunts
The use of a connected nitrous-oxide system while driving on a highway is prohibited.
Zero Blood-Alcohol Concentration (BAC) for novice and young drivers
All drivers who are 21 and under, regardless of licence class, must have a BAC level of zero when operating a motor vehicle.
You will receive a 24-hour roadside driver-licence suspension.
If convicted, you could face a fine and at least a 30-day licence suspension.
Medical suspension
All doctors must report the names and addresses of everyone 16 years or older who has a condition that may affect their ability to drive safely (for example, a stroke, heart condition or dizziness, among others).
Doctors report this information to the Ministry of Transportation, and it is not given to anyone else.
Your driver’s licence may be suspended until new medical evidence shows that the condition does not pose a safety risk.
Mandatory HTA (Highway Traffic Act) suspensions
our licence will be suspended:
If you fail to stop for a police officer (a minimum of five years)
If you don’t pay a traffic fine when ordered by the court
Administrative driver’s licence suspension (ADLS)
Your licence will be suspended immediately for 90 days:
If your BAC is more than 80 milligrams in 100 millilitres of blood (.08)
If you fail or refuse to give a breath, blood, oral fluid or urine sample when asked by police
If you fail or refuse to perform physical co-ordination tests or submit to a drug evaluation when required by police
This suspension takes effect at the roadside or police station. It is separate from any criminal charges or prosecution that may also take place.
“Warn-range” suspension
Drivers who register a blood-alcohol concentration in the “warn range” of .05 to .08 pose an immediate danger to themselves and other road users. If caught driving in the warn range, you will receive an immediate driver’s-licence suspension at the roadside:
For three days for a first occurrence
For seven days for a second occurrence, and you must undergo a remedial alcohol-education program
Substantially increased penalties and sanctions for each subsequent occurrence
Novice-driver violations
Drivers holding novice licences must follow the specific rules for their class of licence.
If you violate any of the graduated-licensing conditions, your licence will be suspended for 30 days.
This suspension takes effect from the time you surrender your licence. You can lose your licence for up to two years if you fail to hand it over.
Your licence will be cancelled if:
If you fail a driver’s re-examination
If you don’t pay your reinstatement fee or administrative monetary penalty following a suspension
If your cheque for licence fees are not honoured by your bank
If you voluntarily surrender your driver’s licence to the Ministry of Transportation, or it is surrendered or returned by another jurisdiction
Criminal Code suspensions
You will receive a one-year licence suspension the first time you are convicted of a Criminal Code offence. Subsequent offences increase substantially to a lifetime ban from driving. Convictions will remain on your driver’s record for a minimum of 10 years.
Your licence will be suspended if you are convicted of any of the following Criminal Code offences:
Driving or having care and control of a vehicle, including boats, when your BAC is more than 80 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood (.08)
Refusing to submit to a breath test for alcohol
Failing or refusing to provide a breath sample for roadside testing
Failing to remain at the scene of a collision
Dangerous driving
Causing death or bodily harm by criminal negligence
Failing to stop for police
Remedial measures
There are several types of remedial measures.
The mandatory Back on Track program is for all drivers convicted of impaired, driving-related Criminal Code offences.
Drivers with more than one “Warn Range” conviction will be required to take an alcohol-education and/or alcohol-treatment program.
If your driver’s licence has been suspended because of a Criminal Code conviction, your licence will remain suspended until you have completed the remedial requirements.
Driving under suspension
You may not drive, under any circumstances, when your licence is suspended.
If you are convicted of driving while your licence is suspended for an HTA offence, you will face fines in the thousands of dollars.
The court may order you to spend up to six months in jail. Six months will be added to your current suspension as well.
If you are found guilty of driving while your licence is suspended for a Criminal Code offence, you can face fines of tens of thousands of dollars and spend time in jail.
Driving while prohibited
This is a prohibition order under the Criminal Code conviction. When convicted of violation of the order, you will get a suspension of one year for a first offence or two years for a subsequent offence.
Vehicle-Impoundment Program
Ontario law includes seven-day vehicle impoundments for:
Drivers operating a vehicle while under a Highway Traffic Act licence suspension
Drivers caught without a required ignition interlock
All drivers caught with a BAC over .08, or who fail/refuse to comply with a demand made by a police officer under the Criminal Code of Canada
If you are caught driving while your licence is suspended for a Criminal Code offence, the vehicle you are driving will be impounded for a minimum of 45 days. These vehicle impoundments apply regardless of whether the vehicle is borrowed from a friend or family member, business, employer or is rented.
The owner of the vehicle must pay the towing and storage costs before the vehicle will be released.
Impaired driving
Driving when your ability is impaired by alcohol or a drug is a crime in Canada. Your vehicle does not have to be moving; you can be charged if you are impaired behind the wheel, even if you have not started to drive.
In circumstances involving possible impairment by a drug or a combination of alcohol and a drug, police can require a driver to:
provide breath samples
perform standardized field sobriety tests
conduct a drug recognition evaluation
provide oral fluid, urine or blood samples for screening
If you fail or refuse to comply with any of these demands, you will be charged under the Criminal Code.
If you are 21 years of age and under, you must not drive if you have been drinking alcohol. Your blood- alcohol level must be zero.
Alcohol
The police can stop any driver to determine if alcohol or drug testing is required. They may also do roadside spot checks. When stopped by the police, you may be told to blow into a machine that tests your breath for alcohol, a roadside screening device, or perform physical co-ordination tests.
If you cannot give a breath sample or it is impractical to obtain a sample of breath, the police officer can require you to provide a blood sample instead. The police may also require a driver to provide, blood, oral or urine samples. If you fail or refuse to comply with any of these demands, you will be charged under the Criminal Code.
Drugs
Criminal Code and HTA sanctions apply to drivers impaired by alcohol or a drug.
In circumstances involving possible impairment by drugs or a combination of alcohol and a drug, police can require a driver to perform physical co-ordination tests and submit to a drug evaluation, and then require a driver to provide blood, oral fluid or urine samples. If you fail or refuse to comply with any of these demands, you will be charged under the Criminal Code.
Some drugs that your doctor may prescribe for you and some over-the-counter drugs can also impair your driving. Here are some points you should remember:
If you use prescription medicines or get allergy shots, ask your doctor about side effects such as dizziness, blurred vision, nausea or drowsiness that could affect your driving.
Read the information on the package of any over-the-counter medicine, including cold, allergy, sedative or diet pills.
Drugs and any amount of alcohol together can have dangerous effects, even several days after you have taken the drug.
Do not take a chance; ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Consider the consequences of impaired driving
other than the obvious risks of impaired driving
Ontario leads the way in combating drinking and driving through some of the toughest laws and programs in North America, including licence suspensions, heavy fines, vehicle impoundment, mandatory alcohol-education and -treatment programs, and the ignition interlock program
–> (mandatory program for drivers who have been either: convicted of an impaired driving offence under the Criminal Code of Canada or suspended three or more times within a 10-year period for impaired driving offences)
Depending on your number of prior convictions, you may be fined up to $50,000, serve time in jail or lose your licence permanently.
If you are convicted of impaired driving causing bodily harm, you may be sentenced to up to 14 years in prison. Impaired driving causing death can carry a sentence of imprisonment for life.
Driver-improvement interview
The other remedial-measures program is for drivers convicted of non-drinking-and-driving-related Criminal Code offences who have no previous alcohol-related convictions. You must undergo a Ministry of Transportation driver-improvement interview.
If you have not completed the driver-improvement interview by the time your Criminal Code suspension expires, your licence will be further suspended until you have completed the remedial requirements.
This program also applies to Ontario residents convicted of driving-related Criminal Code offences in any other province of Canada, or equivalent offences in the states of Michigan and New York, as well as to out-of-province drivers who are convicted in Ontario.
A police officer or Ministry of Transportation inspector can examine your vehicle, its equipment and any trailer attached to it, at ____________.
any time
Vehicle Maintenance: From the driver’s seat and before driving, look for:
Unobstructed visibility around entire vehicle
Burned-out or dim headlamps
Illuminated dashboard warning lights during
engine start, then going out
Loose objects in the vehicle
Vehicle Maintenance: While driving, be alert for:
Unusual engine or exhaust noises
Squeaking or grinding noises when applying the brakes
Dashboard warning lights coming on
Vehicle Maintenance: When planning an extended trip, perform more detailed checks, including:
Windshield wipers and washer-fluid level
Tire pressures, condition and wear
All lights work
Under the hood when the engine is cold; oil and coolant levels, obvious defects with belts, hoses, and possible leaks. Using the vehicle owner’s manual for more information on what to look for
Having your vehicle thoroughly inspected by a qualified mechanic
Regular Maintenance
In order to keep your vehicle running smoothly, vehicle manufacturers often establish a schedule for regular maintenance
Periodically, more intensive mechanical servicing such as engine adjustments and timing-belt replacement may be required.
Winter maintenance
A well-maintained vehicle will usally start in all weather conditions.
Carry emergency supplies. These should include:
a shovel
booster cables
emergency flares or warning lights
a blanket
a chain for towing.
Always carry extra windshield washer fluid in the winter and refill the container when necessary.
Faulty exhaust systems are especially dangerous in the winter when drivers are more likely to drive with windows and vents closed. Have your exhaust checked if it sounds noisy or rattles.
Tires
Tires must meet standards described in the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Tires deteriorate with age, even when not in use.
Tires should not be older than 10 years.
Replace tires when the tread is less than 1.5 mm deep or when tread-wear indicators touch the road. Vehicles that weigh more than 4,500 kilograms must replace their front tires when tread is less than three mm deep.
Replace tires that have bumps, bulges, knots, exposed cords or tread and sidewall cuts deep enough to expose cords.
Any tire on a vehicle must not be smaller than the vehicle manufacturer’s specified minimum size. And it must not be so large that it touches the vehicle or affects its safe operation.
You should use similar tires on all four wheels of your vehicle.
To provide the best traction during the winter season, it is recommended that your vehicle be equipped with four winter or all-weather tires with the same tread pattern.
If you live in northern Ontario, you can legally use studded tires on your vehicle.
Scrap tires are a serious environmental concern. Proper maintenance will extend the life of a tire and delay its disposal.
–>Some tips for longer wear: maintain the right air pressure; inspect tires for wear; rotate tires regularly and practice good driving habits.
Auto insurance
Ontario has compulsory automobile insurance. This means every vehicle registered in the province must be insured.
You must show proof that you have insurance coverage before you can register a vehicle or renew your registration.
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA), regulates insurance in Ontario.
Registration
Vehicle registration includes licence plates and a vehicle permit.
Licence plates in Ontario are based on a plate-to-owner system. This means that vehicle licence plates move with the vehicle owner, not the vehicle. When you sell or change vehicles, you must remove your plates.
If you do not intend to use them on another vehicle, you may return your plates to a ServiceOntario centre.
New residents Vehicle Registration
New Ontario residents have 30 days to register their vehicles. To get a permit and Ontario licence plates, go to a ServiceOntario centre. You must bring along:
A safety standards certificate
Proof of insurance
Vehicle Import Forms, if you have brought the vehicle in from another country
The vehicle permit, or ownership, from where you used to live
Protect yourself from auto insurance fraud: When Buying Auto Insurance:
Use a licensed insurance company, agent or broker.
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA), an agency of the Ministry of Finance, regulates insurance in Ontario. Visit FSRA’s website, to check whether an insurance company or agent is licensed.
The Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO) is the self-regulatory body for insurance brokers in Ontario. Visit RIBO’s website, to check whether an insurance broker is licensed.
Protect yourself from auto insurance fraud: After an Auto Collision:
Collect as much information as possible. Take photos of the collision scene. Get the names, addresses, phone numbers, licence plate and driver’s licence numbers, and insurance information from all those involved in the collision, including passengers in the other vehicle(s).
Be suspicious of referrals. Be wary if you are pressured or offered money by a tow truck operator to go to a particular body shop, lawyer, paralegal or health-care provider. Contact your insurance company for information on towing and where to take your vehicle to be repaired.
Refuse to sign blank forms in advance of receiving any services or health-care treatment related to your collision.
Demand detailed repair and medical bills for any goods and services related to your collision, and review them carefully.
Towing: Licence and permit
You must have a valid driver’s licence (Class G1, G2 or G) or higher class of licence to tow a trailer with a gross vehicle weight of up to 4,600 kilograms.
If your trailer and load exceeds the size and weight specified in the Highway Traffic Act, you may need a higher class of licence or an oversize vehicle permit to tow it.
For questions about the Oversize/Overweight Program, please contact the Ministry of Transportation’s permit office
Towing: Registering your trailer
A trailer is considered a separate vehicle. Before you can tow one on any public road, you must register it and pay a one-time registration fee at a ServiceOntario centre.
When you register your trailer you will receive a licence plate and vehicle permit. Attach the licence plate to the back of your trailer where it is clearly visible.
Always carry your permit, or a copy of it, to show to a police officer when asked.
Towing: Lights
Your trailer must have:
a white licence plate light
a red tail light
two red reflectors at the rear of the trailer, as far apart as possible
If your trailer is wider than 2.05 metres, it must also have:
two yellow clearance lights, one on each side at the front of the trailer, as far apart as possible, to let drivers coming toward you know the width of your trailer
two red clearance lights, or reflectors, one on each side at the rear of the trailer, as far apart as possible, to let drivers behind you know the width of your trailer
Your trailer must have mud guards, fenders and flaps or be designed in such a way that it does not spray or splash traffic travelling behind you.
If the load in your trailer blocks your vision to the rear, you must have additional mirrors that provide a clear view of the road to the rear. Load your trailer carefully so that nothing comes loose or falls off while you are moving.
Towing: Attaching your trailer
Your trailer must have two separate ways of attaching to your vehicle so that if one fails or comes loose, the trailer will stay attached.
If safety chains are used, they must be crossed under the tongue to prevent the tongue from dropping to the road if the primary hitch accidentally disconnects. The chain hooks must have latches or devices that will not accidentally become detached.
Towing: No passengers
You may not carry any person in any trailer, including a house or boat trailer, when it is being towed.
Towing: Trailer hitch
Use a good-quality trailer hitch. The class of trailer hitch you use depends upon the gross weight of your trailer - the gross weight being the total weight of the trailer and its load. Make sure you use the right trailer hitch for the weight of your trailer. It should be securely attached to your vehicle following the manufacturer’s recommendations.
The hitch-ball should be installed so that when the trailer is attached and tightened, it is level with no tilting. If the hitch pulls down the rear of your vehicle, you may need to use a load-equalizing trailer hitch. You may also be able to shift some of the load in the trailer to the rear to reduce the load on the rear of your vehicle.
In addition to a ball and hitch, be sure to use safety chains or cables strong enough to hold the trailer and load, in case the ball and hitch accidentally come apart.
Towing: Loading your trailer
When loading your trailer, strap everything down inside, as well as outside. It is an offence to have a load that may become dislodged or fall off.
Do not overload your trailer. Too much weight in the trailer can put a strain on your vehicle and damage your tires, wheel bearings and axle.
When carrying a boat on a trailer, do not carry cargo in the boat unless your trailer is designed and equipped for the extra weight.
The distribution of the weight in your trailer is also very important. Generally, more of the trailer load should be in front of the trailer axle than behind it for proper hitch weight. About five to 10 per cent of the trailer’s total weight should be supported on the hitch, within the weight limit marked on the hitch.
Heavy and improperly placed loads can pull down the rear of your vehicle, lifting the front end and affecting your steering, especially in wet and slippery conditions. It may also affect the aim of your headlights so that your low beams blind approaching drivers. The alignment of your mirrors may also be affected.
Towing: Starting out
Before each trip, check the trailer hitch, wheels, tires, lights, load distribution and load security to make sure they are safe.
Check your tire pressure with the trailer loaded while the tires are still cold. When you start to drive, accelerate carefully.
Drive slowly and carefully.
Towing: Curves and turns
Stay close to the middle of your lane when taking a curve. When making a right turn, check traffic. Look in your right mirror. Signal and slow down.
If the turn is sharp, move ahead until your vehicle’s front wheels are well ahead of the curb before turning to the right.
When making a left turn, check traffic. Signal. Proceed slowly. When you make your turn, swing wide by driving well into the intersection before turning.
Towing: Slowing down and stopping
Towing: Slowing down and stopping
A sudden stop can cause your trailer to jackknife or slide sideways or the load to shift.
To avoid sudden stops, increase the following distance between you and the vehicle ahead.
Keep out of the fast lanes and maintain a speed that will allow you to slow down and stop smoothly in any situation.
Passing
You cannot accelerate as quickly when you are towing a trailer.
You also need more space because the length of your vehicle is much longer with a trailer attached.
Before you pass, make sure you have enough time and room to complete the pass. Once you have passed, allow more room before you move back to your lane.
Do not cut back into the lane too soon. This can cause your trailer to sway and make it difficult to control.
Being passed
If you are holding up a line of traffic, signal, pull over and let the other vehicles pass.
Fast-moving trucks and buses create a strong air disturbance behind them. If a large bus or truck passes you, the wall of wind behind it may whip your trailer to the side, pushing it out of control.
When you experience this, do not brake. Carefully steer your vehicle and trailer back into position. A slight increase in speed may help.
Backing up
Back up very slowly and have someone outside the vehicle direct you. Use a series of small turns to steer. It is a good idea to practise this skill off the road in an empty parking lot until you are comfortable with your ability.
To back up to the right, steer to the left. The front end of the trailer will go left, but the rear end will go right. To back up to the left, steer to the right. The front end of the trailer will go right, but the rear end will go left.
