Latest news with #collisions
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Aussie drivers warned as costly new road trend leads to panel beater backlog
Panel beaters in the nation's capital say they're struggling to keep up with demand amid a rise in collisions with wild animals, as drivers are being warned to be vigilant on the road as populations of certain species "explode" in numbers. Numerous reports have emerged in recent times of drivers around the country colliding with animals, causing issues for both vehicles and the panel beaters tasked with repairing them. Deer, an introduced environmental pest, continue to be a growing problem, with their expansion now spilling into urban areas, seeing them regularly wander onto train tracks and other transport thoroughfares. Kangaroos are another threat to safety, with the animals known for jumping out onto roads as they spread in search of food. With reserves "drying off", kangaroos are increasingly moving to roadsides "to get access to green feed", conservationists say. In Canberra, these incidents are becoming more and more common, and vehicle repairers warn that even if a driver avoids hitting an animal directly, there are still several risks. "They miss the animal but then they hit the tree, or the guardrail or another car," Alison Hickey, of Barrett Brothers Smash Repairs, told WIN News Canberra. She said people often don't realise there's damage to their cars because it may not be immediately visible at first glance. "There's nothing leaking out the bottom, but the fan is hitting on the radiator, and there are broken bits everywhere," she said. Repairs are costing drivers several thousand dollars, leaving many without vehicles for up to a month, while creating a backlog among panel beaters. Data from ACT Parks and Conservation reveal there have been 650 callouts to crashes involving eastern grey kangaroos this year alone, WIN reported. Official ACT data shows that by the end of 2024, there were 3,545 callouts for the year, while in 2023 there were 3,336. There have been nine wombat collisions in the territory this year, a significant decrease from the 2024 year total of 179, although deer collisions continue to rise. Just last week, dashcam footage captured the shocking moment two drivers almost collided with a deer darting across a road in Canberra. The video, filmed "in the middle" of the road, shows the large animal suddenly appearing on a grass median strip. It bolted across two lanes of traffic, just metres in front of startled motorists. Days later, another deer was spotted on train tracks in Eastwood, in Sydney's northwest. Meanwhile, in South Australia, there have been more than 2,100 insurance claims for accidents involving a kangaroo in the last year. The stark figure marks a 44 per cent increase compared to two years earlier, with the state's recent dry weather conditions believed to be driving the animals closer to roads in search of food. Recent photos emerging online show dozens of kangaroos on the road in country SA, reflecting the scale of the issue in the outback. Royal Automobile Association (RAA) Senior Manager of Road Safety, Charles Mountain, warned drivers that kangaroos are notoriously unpredictable, meaning motorists should remain on high alert when travelling through their known habitat. 🥬 Despair as invasive species destroys $50k worth of produce in days 🚙 Aussies warned of $96 million threat spilling onto our roads 🏡 Aussie homeowners face 'avalanche' of destructive invasive species "There is a clear trend that kangaroo collisions are increasing across the state as more animals come towards busy roads in search of food. Kangaroos in particular are unpredictable creatures that can seemingly come out of nowhere and pose a significant safety risk," he said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
CBC
30-06-2025
- General
- CBC
Crooked intersection remains 'dangerous,' despite safety upgrades
Social Sharing An intersection in a rural area near Stittsville remains a problematic spot for collisions and near-misses, despite the installation of extra safety measures last year. The City of Ottawa added speed boards, flashing lights, and repainted road lines on Flewellyn and Shea roads as measures to improve safety at the skewed intersection. For years, drivers and local councillors have called for significant upgrades to the intersection, especially as suburban housing development sprawls closer to the rural agricultural area. "It's a dangerous intersection," said Brian Beattie, a retired bus operator who drives through it multiple times a week to volunteer at his church on Flewellyn Road. "We really need to get that intersection fixed sooner than later." Eight collisions in 2024 The area where the two main roads meet is offset and often causes confusion for drivers. Both roads have 80 km/h speed limits and only Shea Road has stop signs. According to the city, there were 16 collisions in 2022, no data available for 2023, and eight collisions in 2024. Beattie said he has experienced and witnessed many near-misses and even stepped in to help at the scene of a collision there last summer. "I saw this truck sideways, a big delivery truck, and he was stationary. And the other car was up into the shoulder, very, very smashed up." Beattie said he often sees drivers at Shea Road pull out beyond the stop signs at the intersection and prematurely turn because they can't judge the speed of the cars going down Flewellyn Road. He has brought his concerns to local city councillors, including flagging how trees and shrubs at the intersection create a sightline barrier. Local councillor aware of problems Rideau-Jock Coun. David Brown said his office has received complaints about the intersection since he took office in 2022. "We've always known that we need to upgrade the intersection. It's getting the funding quick enough to do it," he said. It's not uncommon for rural areas to have skewed intersections, Brown said. "As those larger suburban areas continue to encroach on what is traditionally rural infrastructure, we're starting to see that imbalance of heavy traffic volume with relatively light infrastructure that exists in the area." Brown said he has received fewer calls about the intersection since the improved safety measures were added. He has also requested the clearing of the nearby trees, but says he knows a permanent solution is still required. "We need to make sure that we actually build [on] the intersection. We need to accommodate the growth of Stittsville." Functional design study underway Brown and Stittsville Coun. Glen Gower were successful in getting council to fund a functional design study on the intersection this year. "We're looking at what type of intersection modification would be required, whether that's a signalized intersection or a roundabout," he said. "Based on that design, the city will have to determine how much additional land that we're going to need. So we might need to purchase some of the the corners of that existing intersection." Brown says a four-way stop doesn't meet the provincial requirements because the offsets are so large. He thinks a roundabout is the best option for the section that sees a lot of drivers moving from Richmond, Stittsville and Kanata. A roundabout could adequately deal with the intersection's offset, he said. "It keeps traffic moving, whereas lights stop traffic," he said. "It sounds a little funny, but roundabouts don't need to be perfectly circular. You can have ones that are a little straighter, more like rectangles." WATCH | Safety concerns at an Ottawa intersection: Crooked intersection near Stittsville remains problematic for drivers 4 minutes ago Duration 4:19 CBC's Sannah Choi rode along with a driver who goes through the Shea and Flewellyn roads intersection multiple times a week. He says the intersection is 'dangerous,' despite new safety measures installed last year. The city is aiming to start construction in 2028, according to Elizabeth Murphy from the city's transportation engineering services. Brown said the construction of the intersection will be mostly funded through development charges paid by new homeowners in the area. According to Brown, the northwest corner of the intersection is slated for future housing development. "We know growth is coming," he said. "We just want to make sure that we build the infrastructure in advance of those homes being completed. And that's the track we're on right now."
CBC
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- CBC
Parents warned to consider dangers of off-road vehicles to kids
It's the time of year when many are getting ready to hit the trails on an ATV in Manitoba. But riding off-road vehicles can be dangerous, particularly for kids, and collisions can be fatal, experts warn.
The Verge
24-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Verge
What's with that Robotaxi logo?
Posted Jun 24, 2025 at 11:12 AM UTC What's with that Robotaxi logo? 'A good logo always tries to convey the brand promise,' says type designer and Hoefler & Co. founder Jonathan Hoefler. 'And this one definitely foreshadows the tragic collisions ahead.'
CTV News
17-06-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
Sudbury police close Lasalle extension after three-vehicle crash
A surge in serious collisions on northern highways this week all involved commercial motor vehicles – and three involved large transport trucks. Loading the player instance is taking more time than usual Loading the player instance is taking more time than usual Two drivers have been taken to hospital with serious injuries following a three-vehicle crash on the Lasalle extension in Greater Sudbury on Tuesday morning. Police have closed the road between Frood Road and Elm Street with no estimated reopening time. Motorists are asked to find an alternative route. The police traffic management unit is on scene investigating. There is no word yet on the cause or if any charges are pending.
