tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2156536327610779049.post19718734498330769..comments2024-02-23T11:23:45.971-05:00Comments on Lost Motorcyclist: Cycle Canada: Getting Past the PornLost Motorcyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08873504561959138792noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2156536327610779049.post-62307190184731190132011-04-13T07:47:53.717-04:002011-04-13T07:47:53.717-04:00'If our biggest problem was mechanical issues&...'<i>If our biggest problem was mechanical issues</i>' ...<br /><br />Mechanical problems as a cause of traffic accidents is way down the list (a factor in less than 10% of collisions).<br /><br />Driver error, intoxication and other human factors are the primary contributing factor in over 90% of accidents. <br /><br />And that's where efforts should be concentrated. <br /><br />Reintroducing an annual vehicle inspection regimen would simply be another cash grab, like the current misguided <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario%27s_Drive_Clean" rel="nofollow">Drive Clean</a> program.Madeyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02593933575568389288noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2156536327610779049.post-21484022977472777382011-04-12T16:19:38.729-04:002011-04-12T16:19:38.729-04:00The only advantage of a test like that in Ontario,...The only advantage of a test like that in Ontario, would be to make sure that my car or motorcycle was in great shape when it was demolished by being struck by a mechanically unfit car, driven by someone with no drivers licence while texting on their cell phone.<br /><br />If our biggest problem was mechanical issues, we would be much safer here.Lost Motorcyclisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08873504561959138792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2156536327610779049.post-43296746278148523832011-04-12T14:23:34.255-04:002011-04-12T14:23:34.255-04:00The safety inspection you mention is called the MO...The safety inspection you mention is called the MOT test and is done annually on all cars over three years old. I don't know how many cars fail it each year but you can fail for something as minor as a blown bulb. You then have to get the car fixed and present it for a retest. It does pick up a lot of dangerous faults though like bad corrosion and bald tyres so it's a pretty good thing to have in place.Davenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2156536327610779049.post-5184539948307786292011-04-09T09:18:49.669-04:002011-04-09T09:18:49.669-04:00Yes ... 'tis the season for bike porn ... just...Yes ... 'tis the season for bike porn ... just working <i>my</i> way through Cycle World's '<a href="http://www.cycleworld.com/2011_buyers_guide" rel="nofollow">2011 Buyer's Guide</a>' (on paper, not online).<br /><br />I've driven for a living on both sides of the road (cabbing in Toronto, chauffeuring in London, England) and my observation is that, although there may be some <i>cultural</i> differences in driving style, there are plenty of lousy drivers to go around.<br /><br />I'm a bit frustrated this morning because, despite searching for half an hour, I've been unable to track down any reliable statistics for 'illegal' drivers in Ontario. By that I mean not only those driving without a licence, but also those driving while under suspension.<br /><br />A blog entry about <a href="http://somali24african.blogspot.com/2010/10/driving-is-privilege-and-not-right.html" rel="nofollow">Bill 126 - Ontario Road Safety Act</a> cites the MTO as reporting 500,000 suspended drivers, with an estimate that 75% of those continue to drive. Obviously, statistics for unlicenced drivers are impossible to obtain - only those charged with the offense would appear in the figures.<br /><br />Coupling that with the estimated <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/investigations/article/822961--uninsured-drivers-get-free-ride?bn=1" rel="nofollow">half million</a> uninsured vehicles on the roads, there's a serious enforcement problem in Ontario.<br /><br />On the other hand, tracking down these scoflaws has to be balanced with respect for our civil rights, putting police in an awkward position, as outlined in the Ontario Supreme Court decision in <a href="http://scc.lexum.org/en/1990/1990scr1-1257/1990scr1-1257.html" rel="nofollow"><i>Ladouceur v. Regina</i></a>.<br /><br />Personally, I have little sympathy for anyone apprehended for either of those offenses, and rather resent the fact that <i>my</i> bike insurance premiums are higher because of these <a href="http://glossary.econguru.com/economic-term/free-rider+problem" rel="nofollow"><i>free riders</i></a>.Madeyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02593933575568389288noreply@blogger.com