Featured Post from CAA Club Group

MEDIA RELEASE: Voting for the CAA Worst Roads campaign is now open

Mar 27, 2024

3 min

Teresa Di Felice


Tired of swerving around potholes? Are you worried about your safety as a cyclist or pedestrian? Voting is now open in Ontario for the annual CAA Worst Roads campaign, and CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) is giving citizens the opportunity to voice their concerns about the bad roads in their communities.


"Our research shows that 65 per cent of members don't feel enough is being done to fix the roads," says Teresa Di Felice, assistant vice president government and community relations, CAA SCO. "This is causing a variety of concerning driving behaviours, including swerving to avoid potholes, slowing down for bad spots, and some even changing their route altogether to avoid a bad road. We encourage all Ontarians to vote for their Worst Roads and join the community of drivers, cyclists, transit riders and pedestrians committed to improving and actively working to help make our roads safer for all."


Those surveyed say they spent $852 on average to repair their vehicle.


According to a survey conducted by CAA SCO, 84 per cent of members worry about the state of our roads, with 42 per cent experiencing vehicle damage due to poor roads. Despite this, 82 per cent pay out of pocket to repair their vehicles, while only four per cent file a claim with insurance, and nine per cent forgo repairs altogether.


"Either because of affordability or availability, many people are holding on to their cars a little longer these days; the last thing they want is expensive repair bills on an already stretched household budget. While inflation rates are cooling, many of us are dealing with a higher cost of living, making the investment in roads and supporting infrastructure more important than ever," adds Di Felice.


Vehicle damage caused by potholes can range from $500 to over $2,000, with the average repair by those surveyed costing $852.


"We know that the campaign works and that decision-makers are listening. Since its inception in 2003, we have seen road repairs move up and budgets prioritized. The CAA Worst Roads campaign has been a vital platform for Ontarians to nominate and vote for roads they believe need urgent attention. It covers issues like congestion, potholes, road signs, and traffic light timing for pedestrian and cycling safety."


Ontario's top 10 list is verified by the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO) and their members, including the Greater Toronto Sewer and Watermain Contractors Association (GTSWCA), Heavy Construction Association of Toronto (HCAT), and the Toronto and Area Road Builders Association (TARBA).


"RCCAO is a proud partner and supporter of this year's CAA Worst Roads advocacy campaign, giving Ontarians a platform to raise awareness about the state of vital road infrastructure in their communities," said Nadia Todorova, executive director of RCCAO.


Nominations for the Worst Roads campaign can be submitted online at www.caaworstroads.com from March 27 to April 19. Once the nominations are collected, CAA will reveal the top 10 worst roads in the province to the public.


CAA conducted an online survey with 2,753 CAA SCO Members between January 10 to 19, 2023. Based on the sample size and the confidence level (95 per cent), the margin of error for this study was +/- 2 per cent.
Connect with:
Teresa Di Felice

Teresa Di Felice

Assistant Vice President, Government and Community Relations

Teresa oversees CAA SCO's advocacy and community relations efforts in Ontario.

Community & Government RelationsRoad SafetyPolicy AdvocacyTowing RegulationCongestion Management
Powered by

You might also like...

Check out some other posts from CAA Club Group

MEDIA RELEASE: CAA Manitoba encourages families to make a School Year Resolution for safer school zones featured image

3 min

MEDIA RELEASE: CAA Manitoba encourages families to make a School Year Resolution for safer school zones

As Manitoba students head back to school, CAA Manitoba is encouraging families to make one simple school year resolution: help create safer school zones for everyone. With students, parents, school buses, adult crossing guards and pedestrians returning to daily routines, school zones become significantly busier during the back-to-school season. CAA Manitoba is reminding all road users that school zone safety is a shared responsibility and that small actions can make a big difference in helping children get to and from school safely every day. "Back-to-school season is an exciting time for families, but it also brings increased traffic and activity around schools," says Ewald Friesen, manager of government and community relations, CAA Manitoba. "Whether you're driving, walking, cycling or taking the bus, everyone has a role to play in creating safer school communities by slowing down, staying focused and looking out for one another." Reduced school zone speed limits are back in effect As of Sept. 1, reduced school zone speed limits are back in effect across Manitoba. Between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, drivers are required to reduce their speed to 30 km/h when travelling through school zones. To help reduce congestion and improve safety, CAA Manitoba is encouraging families to set a few "school year resolutions" this fall: Give yourself a few extra minutes: We know mornings don't always go according to plan. When possible, build in a little extra time for the school run. A less rushed arrival can help reduce behaviours like double parking, stopping in undesignated areas or dropping children off from unsafe locations. Follow your school's drop-off routine: Every school has procedures designed to move students safely and efficiently. Following designated pick-up and drop-off practices, even when the line is long, helps improve traffic flow and creates a safer experience for children, families, and school staff. Consider a "park and walk": If it's practical for your family, parking a short distance from the school and walking the last block can help ease congestion near entrances while giving children an opportunity to build road safety awareness. Help reduce traffic with active school travel: If possible, incorporate active school travel into your family's routine, even one or two days per week. Encouraging your kids to walk or wheel to school helps to ease traffic congestion, among other benefits. Reinforce road safety rules: Proactively chat with children about how to safely walk, bike or scooter based on their age and neighbourhood. Simple reminders like looking "left, right, left" before crossing, paying attention to crossing guards and staying alert around driveways, back lanes and parking lots can make a big difference. CAA Manitoba is also reminding drivers to stay alert in school zones, particularly during arrival and dismissal periods. Motorists should watch for adult crossing guards, school safety patrollers, pedestrians, and school buses, and be prepared to stop at marked crossings. Drivers must stop at least five metres away from a school bus with flashing red lights and an extended stop arm and remain stopped until the signals are no longer activated. Now in its 90th year, the CAA School Safety Patrol program has helped keep Manitoba students safe as they travel to and from school. Student Patrollers help classmates cross roadways safely while promoting good road safety habits and demonstrating leadership within their communities. "Creating safer school zones starts with all of us making thoughtful choices every day," said Friesen. "When drivers slow down, families follow safe drop-off practices and children understand how to navigate their neighbourhood safely, we can help ensure every student has a safer journey to and from school." For more information, visit: www.caamanitoba.com/advocacy/school-safety/school-zones.

MEDIA RELEASE: New school year, new safe habits: CAA encourages families to make a School Year Resolution for safer school zones featured image

3 min

MEDIA RELEASE: New school year, new safe habits: CAA encourages families to make a School Year Resolution for safer school zones

As students head back to class, CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) is encouraging families to make one simple resolution this school year: help create safer school zones. New CAA research shows that school zone congestion remains a significant concern for Ontario parents. Eight in 10 parents report congestion during school drop-off and pick-up times, while 84 per cent say they have witnessed at least one dangerous driving behaviour in their child's school zone. The most observed behaviours include speeding, double-parking, stopping in undesignated areas, and blocking school bus drop-off zones. "Back-to-school season is exciting, but it can also be hectic," says Tracy Marshall, manager, community relations at CAA SCO. "The good news is that small changes to our daily routines can make a meaningful difference. By planning ahead, following school drop-off procedures and staying alert, we can all help make school zones safer for children, parents and school staff." Ontario parents raise concerns about school zone safety as risky drop-off and pick-up habits persist According to the survey, 63 per cent of Ontario parents reported that their child's school zone was not very safe. Three of the four most frequently observed unsafe behaviours are directly related to school drop-off and pick-up activity, highlighting the need for safer habits during busy school travel periods. CAA is encouraging families to set a few 'school year resolutions' to create safer school zones as children go back to school: Give yourself a few extra minutes: We know mornings don't always go according to plan. When possible, build in a little extra time for the school run. A less rushed arrival can help reduce behaviours such as double parking, stopping in undesignated areas, or dropping children off in unsafe locations. Follow your school's drop-off routine: Every school has procedures designed to move students safely and efficiently. Following designated pick-up and drop-off practices, even when the line is long, helps improve traffic flow and creates a safer experience for children, families, and school staff. Consider a "park and walk": If it's practical for your family, parking a short distance from the school and walking the last block can help ease congestion near entrances while giving children an opportunity to build road safety awareness. Help reduce traffic with active school travel: If possible, incorporate active school travel into your family's routine, even one or two days per week. Encouraging your kids to walk or wheel to school helps to ease traffic congestion, among other benefits. Reinforce road safety rules: Proactively chat with children about how to safely walk, bike or scooter based on their age and neighbourhood. Simple reminders like looking "left, right, left" before crossing, paying attention to adult crossing guards and staying alert around driveways and parking lots can make a big difference. CAA SCO is also asking all motorists to remember that when you're in a school zone, children are nearby. Drivers can support school zone safety with a few simple actions: Stay alert: Put away distractions and focus on the road. Children can appear unexpectedly between parked vehicles, near crossings or around school buses. Slow down: Reduce your speed and be prepared to stop. School zones require extra attention, particularly during arrival and dismissal periods. Watch for school buses and crossing guards: Always obey school bus signals and be aware of adult crossing guards, safety patrollers and students crossing the road. Not only is it illegal to pass a stopped school bus with red lights flashing and the stop arm extended, it is also incredibly dangerous. For more school zone safety information and tips, visit caasco.com/schoolzone.

MEDIA RELEASE: CAA Manitoba survey finds rising gas prices are impacting how Manitobans drive, travel and spend this summer featured image

3 min

MEDIA RELEASE: CAA Manitoba survey finds rising gas prices are impacting how Manitobans drive, travel and spend this summer

Rising gas prices are having a real impact on how Manitobans manage their daily routines and summer plans, according to a new survey from CAA Manitoba. The survey found that about six in ten Manitobans say higher fuel costs are affecting their day-to-day lives, with many cutting back on driving and adjusting spending to make ends meet. “Manitobans are making thoughtful choices to stretch their budgets, whether that’s driving a little less, planning trips more carefully or finding ways to save at the pump,” says Ewald Friesen, manager, government & community relations for CAA Manitoba. Many respondents said they begin to rethink their habits when gas prices reach around $2.10 per litre, a point where costs start to influence decisions about how and when they travel. The most common changes include driving less for everyday needs (35 per cent), cutting spending in other areas (23 per cent), and reducing or eliminating some activities entirely (23 per cent). Summer travel is still a priority, with adjustments Despite higher fuel costs, road trips remain a popular choice this summer, with more than seven in ten Manitobans planning to hit the road. However, nearly six in ten say rising gas prices are likely to influence those plans, prompting many to take fewer trips, travel shorter distances or adjust their budgets. “Travel is still important to Manitobans, especially during the summer months, but people are being more mindful about how they plan those trips,” adds Friesen. Saving at the pump is becoming a priority for Manitobans Manitobans are also actively looking for ways to manage fuel costs. The survey shows that most drivers are taking steps to save money on gas, with many turning to loyalty programs, comparing prices at different stations, or using apps to find the best deal. More than half say they are also considering alternative ways to get around more often, such as walking, cycling, or using transit where possible. Simple tips to stretch your fuel budget: CAA Manitoba encourages drivers to take simple steps to improve fuel efficiency and make the most of every tank, especially during busy summer travel months: Plan routes in advance to avoid backtracking and unnecessary mileage: Plan the most efficient route to your destination and avoid backtracking and unnecessary mileage.   Remove extra weight from your vehicle: Reducing your vehicle’s weight can help improve your fuel efficiency when on trips.     Avoid leaving your rooftop luggage carriers or bike racks on your vehicles when you are not using them: Items on top of the car significantly increase aerodynamic drag, reducing fuel economy.   Control your speed: Fuel consumption starts to increase above 90-105 km/h. For long stretches of road ahead, use cruise control to maintain your speed to save fuel.  Drive conservatively: If you find yourself stuck in long weekend traffic, avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking, which can lower fuel economy by 15 to 30 per cent at highway speeds and 10 to 40 per cent in stop-and-go traffic.  Keep up with regular car maintenance: Underinflated tires increase fuel consumption by up to four per cent. With regular maintenance services, you can help your vehicle run more efficiently. Take advantage of reward programs and tools to find lower prices: CAA members save three cents per litre when they load their membership card in the Shell app or use it at the pump.  “These small actions can add up over time and help make driving more affordable,” says Friesen. CAA Manitoba continues to advocate for drivers by sharing timely information and practical advice to help Manitobans navigate rising costs and stay mobile year-round.

View all posts
Powered by