Summer Long Weekend Safety Tips

​Just in time for your long weekend, this blog will discuss common summer safety concerns and provide you with some long-weekend safety tips (but you can consider these tips for use all-year round).

Driver Distractions & Road Safety

Fines and penalties for distracted driving changed on January 1, 2019, which you can read about in our blog here. Fines range from $400 to $2,000 and penalties include license suspension for up to 2 years. This speaks to how much of a problem distracted driving is in Ontario.

Another road safety issue is the failure to yield for emergency vehicles that are stopped. On all summer long weekends the Ontario Provincial Police are having a provincial-wide traffic safety campaign to target drivers that are not slowing down or moving over when an emergency vehicle passes or is stopped on the highway. Currently, the penalty for failure to do so is three demerit points and possible jail time of up to 6 months. It is important to note that you must slow down and move over to the next lane if you are on a multi-lane highway when you observe not just an emergency vehicle with their lights flashing, but also a tow truck with lights flashing. There are nearly 2,000 charges against drivers that failed to move over for emergency vehicles each year.

Rain or shine, road safety is always important. When you hit the road this weekend, consider these important safety tips:

• Don’t get behind the wheel of a vehicle if you are exhausted or likely to fall asleep behind the wheel;
• Plan your route in advance so you are not rushing – consider checking for any road closures or construction projects that may affect your route;
• Make sure your headlights and brake lights are in good working order;
• Make sure your windshield wipers are in good working order and you have extra windshield washer fluid on hand;
• Set off with a full tank of gas;
• Don’t follow other vehicles too closely- always leave room so you have a “buffer zone” in case you need to stop suddenly;
• Abide by the posted speed limits;
• Don’t drive distracted! Keep your mobile devices and other distractions out of sight;
• Determine who will be designated driver from a party/event if you know you are likely to consume alcoholic beverages;
• If you are too tired to continue driving, appoint a second driver to take over.

Motorcycle Safety

Today’s motorcycles are quite powerful and fast compared to the bikes of 10-20 years ago. It is suggested that you attend a training program before you start riding long distances or riding with passengers. It is recommended that motorcycle rides wear a helmet and protective gear included proper clothing, eyewear and closed-toe footwear. An article from Consumer Reports explains that leather is the best choice (even in the summer).

A recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal revealed the following

• Ontario motorcyclists are 3x more likely to be injured in a collision than drivers/passengers in automobiles.
• Motorcycle crashes can cause injuries which are 10 times as severe as those accidents involving cars.
• The annual rate of injury from collisions was 2194 per 100,00 registered motorcycles vs 718 per 100,000 registered automobiles.

As with any on-road vehicle, you should not operate or ride a motorcycle while distracted or impaired. Texting while operating a motorcycle is dangerous and anything that can impact your ability to focus on the road endangers your life and the lives of others on the road.

Before you ride, think about these safety tips:

• Stay focused and don’t operate your motorcycle while distracted or impaired;
• Protect yourself with protective gear and a helmet;
• Remember to signal and use hand and turn signals whenever possible so other road users know your intentions;
• Stay visible by riding in the middle of the lane so you are most visible to other drivers.
• Pay attention and be on the lookout for any potential debris (i.e. branches, rocks, garbage) or potholes;
• Don’t speed just because your motorcycle can go very fast. You need to be able to stop properly in wet weather or in traffic.
• Check your brakes on a regular basis;
• Use your lights and keep your headlights and taillights on during rainy weather, at night and at dusk;
• Keep your distance and leave a generous following distance between you and the vehicle in front of you and leave adequate space when following, being followed and sharing the lane and passing other vehicles.

Safe Cycling

It is important to be an informed cyclist and know the rules of the road, particularly if you ride your bike in a busy city. Cyclists are subject to the Highway Traffic Act (HTA), and bicycles are defined as “vehicles”, meaning they belong on the road and not the sidewalk, cyclists need to be aware that they can actually be charged for committing offences just like a driver of a car can be. A cyclist must obey all traffic laws, is subject to the same rights and responsibilities as drivers and cannot carry passengers if the bicycle is meant for only one person. 

The Ministry of Transportation (MOT) website says that it is very important that cyclists know to ride their bicycles as close to the right edge of the road whenever possible. There are also certain roadways a cyclist is not allowed to ride a bicycle on such as any of the 400-series highways, and on any roadway within a pedestrian crossover. If there is a pedestrian cross-over, a cyclist must walk his/her bicycle to the other side. It is important to note that cyclists aged 14 and over are not legally allowed to ride their bicycles on Toronto’s sidewalks.

It is mandatory for riders under the age of 18 to wear a helmet, but an approved bicycle helmet can greatly reduce the risk of head injury to the rider in the event of a car accident/collision or a fall.

According to the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), approximately 7,500 cyclists are seriously injured yearly, with most collisions occurring during afternoon rush hour.

Here are some other important statistics to think about

• 1 out of 3 cyclist deaths occur at night or where there is artificial lighting 
• cyclists are more likely to be killed or injured at a location or intersection where there are traffic signals or other traffic control signs
• 34% of cyclists who were killed were struck by a vehicle in the dark

How can you stay safe as a cyclist?

• Wear reflective clothing so you are visible at night and make sure your bicycle has proper lighting and reflectors;
• Ensure your bicycle has a working bell or horn;
• Know how to handle your bike and how and when to shift gears, ride in a straight line and brake properly so you can ride at appropriate speeds and stop safely;
• Check your surroundings, scan intersections before you pass through them and try to stay out of drivers’ blind spots;
• Know how to signal properly so vehicles, pedestrians and other cyclists know your intentions;
• Be alert and scan the road for any potential hazards such as debris and potholes;
• Cross intersections safely and watch for vehicles that are turning into the intersection and always pay attention to the traffic lights.

Distracted Pedestrians

Distraction is not just an issue with drivers, it is becoming an issue with pedestrians. In 2016, there was the Pokémon GO craze which was rather distracting and resulted in erratic driving and pedestrians not paying attention to where they were walking. A recent study from the University of British Columbia found that people walking while looking down at their phones actually walk slower and were less steady on their feet. The study found that more than a third of pedestrians were distracted by their cellphones and had trouble maintaining their walking speed. This increases the potential for an accident to happen as it means pedestrians are taking longer to cross the street. Distracted pedestrians also have slower reaction times.

Here are some helpful tips

• Be aware of your surroundings as you cross the street and look out for any turning cars;
• Put your phone down so you can cross safely and at a reasonable pace;
• If you’re listening to music, pause it so you can hear what is going on around you;
• Be careful when coming out of a driveway, particularly if it is a “hidden” driveway as cars may not be expecting pedestrians;
• Avoid jay-walking and cross at a proper intersection;
• Wear an item of reflective clothing if you are walking in the dark.

Lyme Disease

Many people may use the long weekend as an opportunity to go camping and go to cottages. It is important to practice awareness regarding Lyme disease. Activities such as camping, hiking, fishing, hunting and even golfing can put you at higher risk for exposure to ticks.

In a previous blog post we have discussed Lyme disease, the range of symptoms it causes and some prevention tips. It is important to be aware of areas that are conducive to back-legged ticks (deer ticks) and where a person could contract Lyme disease as the symptoms of Lyme disease may resemble a variety of other conditions, making it very difficult to diagnose. Areas where back-legged ticks typically are found include forests and overgrown areas between woods and open spaces. They tend to thrive in wet environments, woodlands, tall grass and bushes.

According to the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation, Lyme disease is the most treatable at the early infection stage and becomes harder to treat and diagnose as time goes on. Symptoms become worse as time passes without treatment or proper diagnosis and can appear quickly, or gradually over time.

Some prevention tips you may want to consider are:

1. Take the time to find out if there are any health and safety concerns in the area you are planning on travelling to;
2. Wear insect repellant containing DEET and apply it not only to your skin, but to your clothing to ward off ticks (and bugs);
3. Wear lighter coloured clothing to make it easier to spot ticks;
4. If you are going to be in a high-risk area or area with grass, woodlands and bushes, wear shirts with long-sleeves, wear pants and closed toe shoes. Keep your skin covered up as much as possible;
5. It is recommended that you shower or bathe within 2 hours of being outdoors to wash away any loose ticks;
6. Reduce the chances of “tick habitats” developing around your house by maintaining your lawn and yard. Use hard materials like stone and metals instead of soft materials like soil for planting.
7. The Government of Canada’s website recommends keeping pets such as dogs out of the woods and looking into tick repellents for pets.

Heat Waves

The heat warnings are issues to put at-risk groups on alert/people who care for them to watch out for signs of heat related illness. Groups at increased risk include seniors, infants and children, people with chronic illnesses (heart or respiratory conditions), those with limited mobility, on certain medications), people who work or exercise in the heat, homeless people and people on the low end of the socio-economic scale. Heat related illness includes heat stroke, headache, dizziness or fainting, nausea or vomiting, rapid breathing/heartbeat and extreme thirst. It can also include swelling, rash, heat exhaustion and worsening of some health conditions.

Suggested tips for preventing heat-related illness include:

• Stay in the shade and avoid the sun;
• Find an air-conditioned place if your home is not air conditioned (i.e. a community centre or mall);
• You should wear breathable fabrics, light clothing and clothes that are loose and don’t forget to wear a hat;
• Stay hydrated and drink a lot of cool water, even if you are not thirsty;
• Keep cool and cool down with wet towels or cool showers/baths;
• Ask your pharmacist/doctor if any of your medications could increase your risk of heat-related illness;
• Keep your curtains/blinds closed during the day;
• Try to avoid cooking that requires an oven to keep your house cooler;
• Place a bowl of ice in front of fans to cool the air;
• Call/Visit your at-risk family, friends, neighbours.

Recreational Safety

Summer time is prime time for swimmers and boaters. It is important to know how to keep yourself and others safe.

A few suggestions for water safety include:

• Learning how to swim/ make sure your family members receive swimming lessons;
• Get safety training/Learn CPR in case of an emergency so you can help someone without endangering yourself;
• Actively supervising children in the pool;
• Make sure your pool is fenced in and inaccessible to outsiders;
• In public pools, swim in an area where the lifeguard can easily see you;
• Bring a life jacket for yourself an all family members to all boating excursions;
• Wear a life jacket for any activity or for when you might be in a situation that is outside of your swimming level;
• Be mindful of your alcohol consumption as it affects your reaction time/ability to swim;
• Do not drive a boat while under the influence of alcohol.

And, of course, on a long-weekend, people enjoy watching fireworks. Setting off fireworks can become dangerous and it is important to consider the following tips from Natural Resources Canada:

• Consider wearing safety glasses;
• Never stand directly over a firework while lighting it;
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for lighting a firework;
• Only light one firework at a time;
• Light the fuse of the firework at its tip;
• Don’t try to relight a firework if it did not go off;
• Don’t light a firework in your hand;
• Keep onlookers a safe distance away;
• Discharge fireworks far away from combustible materials;
• Keep water near you;
• Put the firework into a bucket of sand;
• Keep kids away from sparklers;
• Do not light fireworks in windy conditions;
• Choose a wide, clear site to light the fireworks, away from all obstacles;
• Throw away used fireworks or debris in a pail of water.

We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable long-weekend!