Latest news with #HospitalforSickChildren
CTV News
5 days ago
- Automotive
- CTV News
Speed cameras reduced speeding in school, community safety zones by 45 per cent: SickKids study
A speed camera is seen on a Toronto street in this file photo. School and community safety zones with speed cameras saw a steep drop in vehicle speeds, a decline researchers believe will help reduce collisions and injuries on Toronto streets, a new study by the Hospital for Sick Children found. The study reviewed vehicle speeds before, during, and after the installation of Automatic Speed Enforcement cameras in 250 school and community safety zones across Toronto between July 2020 and December 2022. It found that the proportion of vehicles speeding in those areas was reduced by 45 per cent. 'Importantly, the effect of enforcement was greater for higher initial vehicle speeds,' the study's authors noted. According to the report, there was an 84 per cent reduction in vehicles exceeding the speed limit by 15 km/hour or more, and an 88 per cent reduction in vehicles exceeding the speed limit by 20 km/hour or more. 'Lower vehicle speeds give drivers more time to observe pedestrians and react to their presence, reducing the likelihood of a collision,' the authors said in their analysis. 'In the event of a collision, lower speeds significantly reduce the kinetic energy and, therefore, reduce the chances of severe or fatal injury to a struck pedestrian.' It is the second time that the Hospital for Sick Children has found a drop in vehicle speeds where speed cameras are placed, with its last study being released in 2023. Both studies used data from the same time period. Speed cameras have become the subject of much debate in recent months by members of the public and even Toronto city council, which is considering a new rule that would prevent drivers from racking up tickets at a single location before receiving notice in the mail. Coun. Anthony Perruzza, who pitched the motion, recently questioned the efficacy of speed cameras, calling them more of a 'speed trap' than a public safety tool. If approved, the city would cap how many infractions a vehicle owner can receive from a single location before being formally notified. Earlier this month, a speed camera on Parkside Drive was cut down for the sixth time in nine months. One of the authors of the study, Linda Rothman, who is an associate professor at Toronto's Metropolitan University's School of Occupational and Public Health, said the pushback against speed cameras is concerning. 'They are extremely effective,' she told CP24 on Friday morning. 'We do know that these cameras are placed around schools and community safety zones and that actually for older kids, injuries are the largest cause of death and motor-vehicle collisions are the greatest contributor.' She said data by Transport Canada has indicated that a quarter of fatal collisions are caused by speed. 'The bottom line is we know these (speed cameras) work and we know that people are speeding,' she said. 'People must just recognize that they need to slow down. If they are doing speeding over and over and over again, then there is no recognition that actually their behaviour is creating a lot of carnage on the streets.'
Hamilton Spectator
20-07-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
These are the common dangers Toronto ER doctors say kids should avoid: ‘The risk is simply not worth it'
A bike ride to the local pool. A perfectly executed plunge off the diving board. An evening spent in the backyard, locked in competition with the kids next door to see who boasts the best trampoline tricks. A day in the life of a child is all about balancing recreation and risk. And while many activities, like unsupervised swimming, are likely to already be on the minds of parents, others may come as a surprise. The Star spoke to some of Toronto's pediatric emergency medicine physicians about some of the fun but dangerous activities they advise against. Here are some of the biggest hazards to avoid to ensure kids stay safe. Pools and natural bodies of water, like lakes or oceans, are rife with risk, said Dr. Steve Lin, interim chief at St. Michael's Hospital Department of Medicine. 'Particularly ones that have no adult or lifeguard supervision,' Lin said in an interview. 'Those are always going to be an issue over and over.' Children must always wear certified lifejackets, said Dr. Natasha Collia, an emergency room doctor at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children. 'Not one of those ones that just goes around the neck — and no floaties around the arms, because those won't keep your child's head above water,' Collia said in an interview. Slips and trips, whether on the pool deck, beach or shore, also pose risk of head and neck injuries when playing near water. Kids clamber over an empty lifeguard station at Marie Curtis Park, near Lake Shore Boulevard and Brown's Line. 'Biking in general but more so biking without a helmet,' Lin said. While Ontario law requires anyone under 18 to don a helmet while biking, Lin said he still sees a significant number of head injuries sustained by kids riding without one. Parachute Canada, a Toronto-based non-profit aimed at reducing preventable injury, estimates brain injuries as the number one cause of serious injury and death for children on bicycles. Four of five brain injuries could be avoided by a properly fitted helmet, it says. Riders should avoid the roads and stick to bike lanes where possible, said Lin. 'That's another really big one.' There are few things Collia recommends against altogether, but trampolines are one of them. Most parents don't realize the dangers that come with the spring-loaded devices. According to Parachute, an average of more than 1,200 Canadians under 17 suffer injuries on backyard trampolines and at trampoline parks every year. 'The risk is simply not worth it,' she said. 'It really is one of those pieces of equipment that leads to any kind of injury. We're talking head, neck and extremities.' If parents opt to allow their children on the trampoline, Collia insists it should not be set up near any structures that they could bump into. Having more than one person jumping at the same time is also ill-advised. Collia said she often sees parents allowing their children on toboggans or sleds unprotected. 'I watch these kids go down a hill without a helmet and it's just like, 'what are you thinking?' ' she said. Even with a helmet, high speeds and a lack of control make toboggans and sleds a dangerous choice. 'We've seen an increase in kids getting creative — doing things like going down head first, belly down,' she said. 'Now your head's the first thing that's going to hit, or, if your belly is on the ground, you're considering chest and abdominal injuries.' Electric scooters may be prohibited in Toronto — and provincially for anyone under the age of 16 — but a growing number of kids are still using them to get around. Over the past five years, data from Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children shows a steady increase in the number of youth reporting to the emergency room following e-scooter crashes. Head injuries are some of the most common sustained by e-bike and e-scooter riders, said Collia, but they're not the only risk. 'I've had a scooter impaled into someone's chest,' she said. 'Or kids go over the handlebars and they get injuries to the abdomen, where they have bleeds due to spleen or liver injuries.' Collia recommends parents keep their young kids off ATVs as well, regardless of helmet use. 'Kids' bodies are just not built for things like this — I hate to say it, but they just fly.' Over the past five years, Torontohas seen a steady increase in the number of patients reporting While parents may already be aware that things like swimming pose risks to their children, Collia has a number of lesser-known activities that are dangerous for children. Inflatable bouncy castles, for example. Last year, Collia said she treated multiple children in the emergency room after an inflatable castle deflated and collapsed on a kids' birthday party. 'I don't even know why they exist,' Collia said. 'These things tip, they deflate, they collapse. 'Imagine, if that whole thing was on top of a child, how easy it will be for them to get trapped,' she added. Lawn mowers are another. The household device can be especially dangerous if you have multiple kids, Collia said. 'If an older one is using the equipment or learning how to use the equipment, it's very easy for a younger child to just get in the way or climb on it.' And maybe the least recognized? Shopping carts, said Collia. Oftentimes, people don't realize how unstable the carts are. 'All it takes is for them to reach or bend over the side and either the whole cart flips over or they fall out,' she said. 'Those are the big ones that I think parents need to really think about that they might not always.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Ottawa Citizen
02-06-2025
- Health
- Ottawa Citizen
Community Builders: 57 Ride
For John Gomes, father of four and founder of the 57 Ride, the mission is simple: ride, raise hope and help families facing the unthinkable. Article content From June 12 to 14, Gomes and a small group of friends and fellow dads will cycle from Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) to the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in Ottawa — more than 450 kilometres — to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer. Article content Article content Named after a sentimental reminder of Gomes's late father, the 57 Ride supports two grassroots causes: the Phoebe Rose Rock Committee at the Kindred Foundation and the Griffin Bell Golden Endowment Fund at CHEO. Proceeds will go directly to helping families who must travel long distances for treatment and to funding critical research for hard-to-treat childhood cancers. Article content 'I have four healthy kids,' Gomes said. 'Why wouldn't I go do this? We've met these oncology families; their stories break your heart. This is how we help.' Article content The route, a three-day endurance challenge, will take riders from SickKids to Peterborough, on to Perth, and finally to CHEO for a celebratory lap. It's not a race; it's a show of solidarity. Article content 'It's me and a couple of close friends, supported by another buddy driving a 'blister bus,'' Gomes jokes about the Ford F150 from Lincoln Heights Ford. 'We're all fit dads in our 40s, and we can still do hard things,' Gomes adds. He will be joined by Jeff Delgado and James Van Toever, and Konrad Eyvindson will be on driving duty. Article content Article content He calls it a 'mom-and-pop lemonade stand' kind of event: local, personal and powered by community love. 'The world feels like it's on fire,' Gomes said. 'We're just trying to do something kind. That's where change starts, with your community.' Article content Article content Article content Article content
Hamilton Spectator
20-05-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
‘Those kids were her world': Children killed in Highway 401 crash involving allegedly impaired driver identified
A Toronto woman has lost 'her world' as she struggles in hospital to recover from injuries after an alleged drunk driver struck her family's car, killing three of her children — Ramone, 15, Jace, 13, and Maya Lavina, 6. Family friend Ervin Garcia, who confirmed the identities of the family, got a call from the children's father, Maverick Lavina, on Sunday afternoon with the shocking news. It happened shortly after midnight Sunday when a 19-year-old allegedly lost control on a Highway 401 off-ramp and crashed into the Chrysler Pacifica carrying the family, Toronto police said. Ethan Lehouillier has been charged with three counts of impaired operation causing death, impaired operation causing bodily harm, dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing bodily harm. When Garcia heard from his friend, Maverick, 'I just literally stopped dead in the middle of the street. 'I was in the Esplanade area (downtown Toronto) and a million drivers must have been honking at me,' he said. 'I was overcome with grief. I had to pull over a couple of times.' The father, who was not in the car, told Garcia that only one of his four children survived: 10-year-old Avery, who is Garcia's godson, and that Avery was recovering at the Hospital for Sick Children. Avery suffered a broken arm, broken collarbone and numerous cuts and bruises to his face, Garcia said. Three children died and three other individuals are recovering after a suspected impaired driver crashed into a minivan stopped at a red light early Sunday morning in Etobicoke, police said. The children's mother, Jade Galve, who was rushed to Sunnybrook Hospital following the crash, suffered several broken ribs and a severe concussion, along with other injuries. 'She's in a very severe amount of pain,' Garcia said. 'Those kids were her world, as much as they were Maverick's.' A man who is a family friend was also seriously injured in the crash. Garcia said he and several other friends rushed to SickKids to be with Maverick and his son. 'It's a miracle he survived,' Garcia said of his godson, whom he said was up and trying to walk with the assistance of his father when he arrived at the hospital. Police allege that the Georgetown man was driving a minivan at a high rate of speed when he lost control on the off-ramp, drove over a raised median on Renforth Drive and crashed into the vehicle, which was stopped at a red light. Ramone and Jace were pronounced dead at the scene. Six-year-old Maya was rushed to hospital but later died. The crash happened shortly after midnight Sunday when a 19-year-old allegedly lost control on a Highway 401 off-ramp and crashed into the Chrysler Pacifica carrying the family, Toronto police said. Garcia said his busy schedule has limited his ability to see the Lavina children as often as he would've liked in recent years, but he has kept in close contact with Lavina. The two worked together for several years doing brick and stone masonry work on residential and commercial buildings, he added. Garcia, 36, has known both parents since they were in their mid-teens and said he and Lavina, now in his mid-30s, developed their bond playing basketball in the Scarborough Filipino community leagues. A GoFundMe , set up by another family friend, has already raised more than $96,000 in support of the bereaved family. While Garcia said he is thankful for the outpouring of support, the heavy toll of the crash is immeasurable and 'we could raise $10 million and it would never replace those kids.' A note posted to the GoFundMe reads that the family requests 'assistance to help them navigate this dark hour be it through donation or spreading awareness for them.' The scene of the fatal crash. The Toronto Catholic District School Board confirmed that all four Lavina children are students with the board. 'We are heartbroken by this loss, which will be felt deeply throughout our entire school community,' a TCDSB spokesperson said in an email to the Star. The email also said that mental health and faith-based supports will be available to students and staff beginning Tuesday, including social work and psychology teams. 'In light of the ongoing police investigation, and out of respect for the family and our grieving school communities, our focus remains on offering support, care, and prayer for all those affected by this unimaginable tragedy.' Garcia said he's 'angry with the suspect,' for what was a 'reckless and totally preventable crash.' 'These are three children's lives that were taken away from them,' he said. 'They were never able to fulfil their full potential in life.'
Toronto Star
20-05-2025
- Toronto Star
‘Those kids were her world': Children killed in Highway 401 crash involving allegedly impaired driver identified
A Toronto woman has lost 'her world' as she struggles in hospital to recover from injuries after an alleged drunk driver struck her family's car, killing three of her children — Ramone, 15, Jace, 13, and Maya Lavina, 6. Family friend Ervin Garcia, who confirmed the identities of the family, got a call from the children's father, Maverick Lavina, on Sunday afternoon with the shocking news. It happened shortly after midnight Sunday when a 19-year-old allegedly lost control on a Highway 401 off-ramp and crashed into the Chrysler Pacifica carrying the family, Toronto police said. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Ethan Lehouillier has been charged with three counts of impaired operation causing death, impaired operation causing bodily harm, dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing bodily harm. When Garcia heard from his friend, Maverick, 'I just literally stopped dead in the middle of the street. 'I was in the Esplanade area (downtown Toronto) and a million drivers must have been honking at me,' he said. 'I was overcome with grief. I had to pull over a couple of times.' The father, who was not in the car, told Garcia that only one of his four children survived: 10-year-old Avery, who is Garcia's godson, and that Avery was recovering at the Hospital for Sick Children. Avery suffered a broken arm, broken collarbone and numerous cuts and bruises to his face, Garcia said. The victims of the crash off Highway 401 near Etobicoke have been identified as Jace (left), Ramone (centre) and Maya Lavina, according to a family friend. Screengrab The children's mother, Jade Galve, who was rushed to Sunnybrook Hospital following the crash, suffered several broken ribs and a severe concussion, along with other injuries. 'She's in a very severe amount of pain,' Garcia said. 'Those kids were her world, as much as they were Maverick's.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Gta 'A family is torn apart': Three children killed after vehicle struck by allegedly impaired driver on Highway 401 near Etobicoke Anastasia Blosser, Joyce Li, Jason Miller A man who is a family friend was also seriously injured in the crash. Garcia said he and several other friends rushed to SickKids to be with Maverick and his son. 'It's a miracle he survived,' Garcia said of his godson, whom he said was up and trying to walk with the assistance of his father when he arrived at the hospital. Police allege that the Georgetown man was driving a minivan at a high rate of speed when he lost control on the off-ramp, drove over a raised median on Renforth Drive and crashed into the vehicle, which was stopped at a red light. Ramone and Jace were pronounced dead at the scene. Six-year-old Maya was rushed to hospital but later died. The crash happened shortly after midnight Sunday when a 19-year-old allegedly lost control on a Highway 401 off-ramp and crashed into the Chrysler Pacifica carrying the family, Toronto police said. @freetorcam / X Garcia said his busy schedule has limited his ability to see the Lavina children as often as he would've liked in recent years, but he has kept in close contact with Lavina. The two worked together for several years doing brick and stone masonry work on residential and commercial buildings, he added. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Garcia, 36, has known both parents since they were in their mid-teens and said he and Lavina, now in his mid-30s, developed their bond playing basketball in the Scarborough Filipino community leagues. A GoFundMe, set up by another family friend, has already raised more than $96,000 in support of the bereaved family. While Garcia said he is thankful for the outpouring of support, the heavy toll of the crash is immeasurable and 'we could raise $10 million and it would never replace those kids.' A note posted to the GoFundMe reads that the family requests 'assistance to help them navigate this dark hour be it through donation or spreading awareness for them.' The scene of the fatal crash. @freetorcam / X The Toronto Catholic District School Board confirmed that all four Lavina children are students with the board. 'We are heartbroken by this loss, which will be felt deeply throughout our entire school community,' a TCDSB spokesperson said in an email to the Star. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The email also said that mental health and faith-based supports will be available to students and staff beginning Tuesday, including social work and psychology teams. 'In light of the ongoing police investigation, and out of respect for the family and our grieving school communities, our focus remains on offering support, care, and prayer for all those affected by this unimaginable tragedy.' Garcia said he's 'angry with the suspect,' for what was a 'reckless and totally preventable crash.' 'These are three children's lives that were taken away from them,' he said. 'They were never able to fulfil their full potential in life.'
