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MEDIA RELEASE: CAA announces the recipients of two provincial school zone safety awards

Jun 18, 2020

2 min


CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) is proudly awarding two dedicated school zone safety volunteers with Provincial Safety awards. Tyra Sayles, 13, from Brantford has received the CAA School Safety Patroller of the Year award, and Kerri-Ann Sagert a grade 4/5 teacher at Agincourt Jr Public School in Toronto, has received the CAA School Safety Patrol Supervisor of the Year award.


“For over 90 years, the CAA School Safety Patrol® program (SSP)  has been advocating for the safety of children on their way to and from school, and in school zones. Sayles and Sagert are true road safety champions,” says Leslie Rocha, community relations specialist, CAA SCO.


Sayles has been in the program for three years, and excels in her extracurricular activities and academically as well.


“I do my best to balance everything because I take pride in making the world a better place in the things I do,” says Sayles.


The CAA School Safety Patrol program is a joint effort between CAA, the police, school boards, teachers, busing consortia, parents, and approximately 20,000 dedicated student volunteers. In Brantford, there are over 800 students that participate in the program.


“The students really respect and listen to Tyra. When it was discovered that students acted differently once Tyra got off the bus, she offered to stay on the bus for an extra hour of the day with no hesitation,” says Richard Melski, SSP Patrol Supervisor.


Sagert, has been a part of the SSP program for 10 years.




“I believe in everything the program stands for so much that I actively promote the program to younger students at the school, who will become Patrollers themselves,” says Sagert. 


Toronto Police constable and nominator Claudia Bednarczyk says, “She understands the value of having the CAA School Safety Patroller program at the school, and knows how to run it effectively, with little help.”


Both awards were announced last night in a year-end online celebration for patrollers in Ontario and Manitoba. Patrollers, teachers and supervisors took part in the virtual celebration hosted by DJ Metime also known as Sarah Barrable-Tishauer and choreographer, Boneless.

 

In Ontario, approximately 900 schools participate in the CAA School Safety Patrol program. CAA SCO works with over 50 partners to help deliver the program. For more information, visit https://www.caaschoolsafetypatrol.com/. 

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MEDIA RELEASE: More Ontario drivers admit to getting behind the wheel after consuming cannabis

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2 min

MEDIA RELEASE: Avoid the Winter Wallop: CAA, Toronto Police Service and OPP team up with winter weather readiness tips.

Almost one month before the official start of winter and CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO), Toronto Police Service (TPS) and Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are joining forces to keep drivers safe before winter weather blows in with full force. The three organizations are teaming up to help inform Ontario drivers that now is the time to install winter tires, check their car batteries, and stock their cars with emergency car kits that include essentials for the winter months. “Ontario winters can be unpredictable, and snowstorms can hit suddenly. It’s always best to prepare ahead of time in case driving conditions become hazardous,” says Nadia Matos, manager of external communications, CAA SCO. “There’s no time like the present to ensure your safety before getting on the road.” Driving behaviour is the most important factor in ensuring safe driving operations in winter weather. "Road safety is everyone’s responsibility,” says Sergeant Murray Campbell, Toronto Police Service. “With fewer daylight hours and reduced visibility, we are urging everyone to remain vigilant, be aware of other road users, drive according to the weather conditions, ensure vehicle lights are on, and plan ahead to allow for extra travel time.” The organizations continue to reinforce last year’s amendments to the Highway Traffic Act, including the illegal passing of snowplows working in echelon on Ontario highways. “Not only is passing these plows illegal, but it is also incredibly dangerous,” says Sergeant Ted Dongelmans, Ontario Provincial Police. “Offenders may face a fine ranging from $150 to $1,000 if found passing a snowplow while they are clearing the roads.” Before heading out on the road this winter, motorists can download and use the 511 app to check the weather and road conditions before they leave home. The 511 app can be found at 511on.ca or in the app store on their mobile devices. For a safer trip this Winter, CAA, TPS and OPP are sharing the following motorist tips: • Test your car battery. If necessary, replace it before it fails. CAA SCO will test Members’ batteries free of cost during a service call. • Pack a fully stocked emergency car kit. The kit should include a flashlight, extra batteries, warning devices (e.g., flares, reflective vests/strips), a first aid kit, blankets, jumper cables, non-perishable food and water, and a phone charger. Be sure to always keep an ice scraper, small shovel, and snow brush handy in your car. • Service your vehicle. Have your brakes checked, oil changed and top up your windshield washer fluid and any other fluids that are getting low. • Keep your gas tank at least half full at all times. Cold weather causes condensation in the system, which can lead to fuel-line freeze-up and prevent a car from starting. • Check your lighting system. Ensuring you have full lighting is very important in the winter months. Check your headlights and signal lights to ensure they work correctly.

3 min

MEDIA RELEASE: Are you Ready for Winter Driving? CAA Manitoba shares winter weather readiness tips

As the cold weather begins to roll in, CAA Manitoba (CAA MB) is encouraging Manitobans to prepare themselves and their vehicles accordingly for the winter season. “All too often, motorists wait until the first snowfall before preparing their vehicles for winter driving,” says Nadia Matos, manager, external communications for CAA Manitoba. “Now is the time to get your winter tires on and check that your car battery will last the winter months. Even a fully charged battery can lose power when the temperature dips below 0° Celsius.” CAA Manitoba has compiled a list of winter readiness tips for Manitobans to help them prepare for the winter season. • Install winter tires for better traction – On cold and snowy roads winter tires can help reduce your breaking distance by up to 25 per cent. Members can call CAA before Nov. 30 to have our mobile tire service change them for you at home for a fee. • Test your car battery - If necessary, replace it before it fails. Even a fully charged battery can lose up to 30 per cent charge in temperatures below zero. CAA Manitoba will test Members’ batteries free of cost during a service call. • Ensure you have an emergency car kit – Your kit should have water, non-perishable food, jumper cables, blankets, a flashlight, batteries, waterproof matches, candles, and cat litter to help create traction under your tires. Add extra mitts, hats, socks and footwear to your emergency kit. • Have your brakes checked - If you’ve noticed any change in the feel of your brakes, or if they’re squealing or grinding, it may be time to have them serviced. With black ice and unpredictable weather, having good brakes can mean the difference between stopping and sliding. • Check your block heater- When you park– is your outdoor plug drawing power? Is your extension cord working with no missing prongs or exposed wires? • Check your lighting system - Make sure all your interior and exterior lights are working. For safe driving, ensure your headlights are aimed correctly. • Top up your fluids - Keep extra fluid in your trunk. Make sure it’s rated for -40ºC. Don’t let your gas drop below half full. • Inspect your wiper blade – Check the condition of your blades if you notice streaking on the windshield. Check for fraying or cracking and remove worn wiper blades and replace them with new ones. • Ensure you have the appropriate winter tools - Keep an ice scraper, small shovel and snow brush handy in your car at all times. While it’s important to make sure your vehicle is ready to go, it’s also important for drivers and passengers to be prepared in case of an emergency or if you are stranded. Some additional ways to be prepared include: Have a cell phone battery bank and keep it on you, as well as a charging cable that connects your phone to your vehicle. • Download and register for the CAA app and keep your CAA membership card in your wallet or vehicle so you always know how to contact CAA Manitoba if you are stranded. • Check Manitoba 511.ca for road conditions and closures if you head into a rural area. • Always tell your loved ones where you plan to go and what your route is before leaving on a longer trip in your vehicle. “Member safety is always our top priority at CAA Manitoba,” says Matos. “There’s no better time than the present to ensure you, your loved ones and your vehicle are ready to drive safely this winter season.” For more information about driving safely in winter conditions, please visit our Safe Winter Driving page at caamanitoba.com.

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