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Canadian Province Visitor Information
Visit these links to Canadian provincial web sites for detailed travel and tourist information.
Travel Safety Tips
Canada has one of the best road safety records in the world. While the number of vehicles and drivers in Canada increases year after year, our road safety record continues to improve.
The following information and core safety tips can help you keep your visit to Canada a safe and enjoyable one:
- Seatbelts. Seat belts are mandatory for drivers and passengers. Children under 5 years of age and under 18 kilograms (40 lbs.) must be in an infant carrier or approved child restraint.
- Speed limits. Slow down. In most Canadian provinces, the speed limit is 100 km/hr (60 mph) on highways (unless indicated otherwise) and 50 km/hr (30 mph) in urban districts (unless indicated otherwise). Excessive speed is a contributing factor in 20 per cent of occupant fatalities.
- Don't drink and drive. Put simply, don't drink and drive. Driving a car taps into almost all our basic skills - perception, attention, judgement, decision making, physical reactions - as well as our ability to coordinate these skills. Alcohol impairs these skills and our ability to drive.
- Traveling with children.The safest place for kids under 12 is in the back seat. Have kids travel in the back seat, especially when there is an airbag for the passenger seat.
- Cell phones and other distractions. Pay attention-don't engage in distracting activities while driving. Cell phones and other devices such as electronic navigation systems are emerging as factors in road collisions. Do not use a phone while driving. Turn the phone off before you start driving. Let callers leave a message. If there are passengers in the vehicle, let one of them take or make the call. If you're expecting an important call, let someone else drive.
- Rail crossings. Every year, Canadians die in railway crossing and trespassing incidents, most of which are preventable. Obey the signals. Listen for warning bells and whistles. Be prepared to stop at all railway crossings without signals.
- Share the road. In summer, there are more people on the roads in many different kinds of vehicles. Remember to watch out for motor bikes and bicycles and be courteous to these road users.
There are more commercial vehicles on Canada's roads now than ever before. These vehicles can be up to 40 times heavier than an average car and take more than twice the distance to stop. To prevent collisions with these vehicles, remember to avoid cutting in front of trucks or braking suddenly in front of them.
When you are in the driver's blind spot, move through quickly and never pass on the right, where the blind spot is even larger. If you can't see the driver's face in their side mirror, they can't see you.
When passing a truck, ensure you can do it safely, signal, then pass promptly. Be prepared to encounter splash and spray on wet roads.
- Emergencies. Most areas within Canada offer a "911" service. If you have an emergency, get to a phone and simply dial "911" and an operator will assist you.
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