Ottawa launches new campaign focusing on rural road safety
Motorists are being reminded to obey speed limits and watch out for potential hazards while travelling on rural roads, ranging from sudden curves to crossing wildlife.
Safer Roads Ottawa launched a new public awareness campaign, saying "Ottawa sees too many fatal collisions on its rural roads."
Between 2016 and 2020, 21 per cent of collisions resulting in deaths or major injuries have occurred in rural areas. The city says rural roadway collisions have contributed to one-third of Ottawa roadway fatalities.
Safer Roads Ottawa says open and clear rural roads present challenges and risks for drivers, including:
- Curves and sudden turns
- Soft gravel shoulders along the roadway
- Hidden intersections
- Slower vehicles – such as farm equipment and tractors
- Wildlife, including door and coyotes.
"What compounds these safety challenges, especially at night, are speeding, aggressive driving, distracted driving and impairment from alcohol or drugs," the city said. "Drivers must maintain the same attention to speed, control and alertness as driving on any urban roadway or highway."
The Safer Roads Ottawa campaign will use social media and online advertising to raise awareness about safe driving on rural roads.
The city says it is also using "engineering measures' to enhance roadway geometry, signage and pavement markings on rural roads across the city. Those measures include upgrading approximately 20 linear kilometres of gravel shoulders and enhanced delineation of horizontal curves.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.