On Road/Off Road Safety
In the News
Reflect on your Choices on Rural Roads
Be Alert
- Avoid all distractions.
- Be aware of surroundings.
- Obey the rules of the roads, all signs and signals.
- During the day, wear bright clothing.
Be Seen
- At dusk and after dark, increase your visibility by wearing reflective gear such as:
reflective belts, arm/ leg bands. Clip on LED flashers, iron on reflective strips,
reflective gloves, scarves or hats.
Agricultural Vehicles
- Travel after dark only if absolutely necessary. For extra visibility consider enhanced
lighting. - Keep the SMV reflector emblem clean, and replace it when it starts to fade
- Make sure your load doesn’t obscure the lights, mirrors and warning signs on your
tractor. - Your visibility is vital at all times, especially when it is dark or the visibility is poor.
Always keep all vehicle lights on and working– turn signals, headlights and taillights,
warning lights, flashing amber lights and eye-level signals. - Try not to group pieces of equipment together when traveling on high-traffic
roadways. - Provide a follow car with hazard lights flashing.
- Limit movements of equipment during evening or peak traffic hours.
- Keep lights on and flashing, even in the daytime.
- Verify if the size of the farm vehicle you drive or tow is subject to additional
mandatory lighting requirements. - Verify if the size of the farm vehicle you drive or tow is subject to additional mandatory lighting requirements.
Driver’s Tips
- Slow down as soon as you see farm equipment on the road way.
- Watch for hand signals.
- Be aware of the triangular slow-moving-vehicle (SMV) sign.
- Watch for flashing amber lights.
- Do not speed past farm machinery.
- Do not pull out in front of slow moving vehicle and then slow suddenly.
- Do not expect equipment to run partly on the road shoulders.
Reflective Gear: Dawn & Dusk Safety for the Outdoor Enthusiast here
Wear Reflective Gear at Night – No White at Night Challenge here
November 2016: The Office for Injury Prevention, in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Police Services, CAA, Ontario’s trauma centres and other road safety partners invite you to Be Alert, Be Seen – a provincial road safety campaign. View the “Shine” video here and the “Not so Funny” video here
Farm 9-1-1
Farm 911 The Emily Project – read more about this project on their website here and on Facebook here
Car Seat Safety
When children use car seats, they are well protected and less likely to be severely injured. Parents and caregivers need to choose the right car seat or booster seat for their child and make sure it is used properly for every single ride.
More about Car Seat Safety from Parachute Canada here
When you buy a child car seat for use in Canada, look for the National Safety Mark label attached to the seat. This label indicates that the seat complies with Canadian Regulations and Standards and is legal for use in Canada.
For more information from the Ministry of Transportation, click here
Cobourg Police Service offers car seat clinics – please follow them on Twitter (link here) or contactCPSAuxillary@gmail.com to find out when the next clinic is and book your appointment.
Do you need to check if your child’s car seat has been recalled? Click on this link to Transport Canada’s website
Below are some helpful videos demonstrating how to install your child’s car seat. Always follow the manufacturers installation instructions.
Links
All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Safety here (Parachute Canada)
Bicycle Safety here (Ministry of Transportation)
Distracted Driving here Parents play a key role in preventing injuries and deaths to young drivers. In this powerful new video, teens speak directly to parents about the responsibility they have as a role model (Hastings Prince Edward Public Heatlh Unit)
Distracted Driving here (Ministry of Transportation (MTO))
Distracted Driving here (Public Health Ontario)
Farm Guide – Farm Equipment on the Highway here (MTO)
Farm Safety Videos here (Workplace Safety Prevention Services)
Motor Vehicle Collisions here (Parachute Canada)
NEW – Ontario Road Safety Annual Report (2014 stats) here (MTO)
Pedestrians and Motorists – Let’s Work on our Relationship here (York Region Gov’t)
Predictors and Risk Factors of Texting and Driving Among Youth (Evidence Brief, October 2014) here (Public Health Ontario)
Rail Safety here (Parachute Canada)
Road Safety: Pedestrians here (MTO)
Water Safety – check out links here
Disclaimer: These links to third-party websites are provided solely as a convenience. Safe Communities Northumberland County (SCNC) has no control over these websites or their contents and in no way endorses any linked third-party sites. SCNC does not make any representations of any kind regarding such linked content, including the accuracy, completeness, or non-infringement thereof. SCNC does not assume any responsibility or risk for use of these links. Use the contents of these websites at your own risk.