Belt Drive Betty's Blog

Should Alberta Take Back Driver Testing??

<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Did you know that here in Alberta we pay two to sometimes four times more for road tests than any other province?  It is privatized right now, but the province is considering taking it back.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Makes a person wonder how the fees are allocated. It's obvious that some of it goes to the examiner, and helps to pay for insurances that protect the tester and the testee. <br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Information gathered from one registry in Southern Alberta says that the Road Test is 90.00, and then you also have to pay an additional 22.45 for the license, then you will be a Class 5 GDL Driver.  Once you are ready to graduate out of the GDL program the test is 150.00 and then 22.45 for the license.  That's a total of 285.00 for testing and licensing, and that's if you pass on your first go around-and that rarely happens.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It gets expensive for a person who has teenagers who do not pass on their first try, leaving them to  wonder why does it have to be so expensive. Maybe there should be a lower fee for a second and third try. Is this a money grab, it sure seems like it.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
With the privatization of Driver Licensing comes other issues that have nothing to do with money.  With there being no video recorders, there have been complaints of improper behavior during tests such as improper scoring, unsavory customer service and even sexual harassment.  If that's the case, having a video recorder in the vehicle during testing should be mandatory. And a "Permission Slip" should be signed by test takers over 18 years old and by the guardians of those under 18 years of age. We shouldn't look at that as an invasion of privacy, but as a means of protecting ourselves and our children should anything happen that we don't want to.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Perhaps things will be different if and when the province takes back Driver Testing making it less expensive and safer for those taking the tests.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1slyL8zMrfdy07x6Q6kCEA8Xu28K8AfduE0peb_wEpkh6uJNGiAZXku7cCe-s1SP3KK_nGamtIdN_HAWpaw7M2CgrOkuuuv5aibAK3TE7vBsz5qUOQLNwpKohp8lTczi5Bg6/s1600/201804170009t0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1slyL8zMrfdy07x6Q6kCEA8Xu28K8AfduE0peb_wEpkh6uJNGiAZXku7cCe-s1SP3KK_nGamtIdN_HAWpaw7M2CgrOkuuuv5aibAK3TE7vBsz5qUOQLNwpKohp8lTczi5Bg6/s200/201804170009t0001.jpg" width="200" /></a>As an Albertan what are your thoughts???? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
By Marnie Thibodeau </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Guest Blogger</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
For more information on this topic click the link below</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/4326425/alberta-driver-road-tests-licence/" target="_blank">https://globalnews.ca/news/4326425/alberta-driver-road-tests-licence/</a></div>

Should Alberta Take Back Driver Testing??

Did you know that here in Alberta we pay two to sometimes four times more for road tests than any other province? It is privatized rig...

Working to make riding safer in the GTA

<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Working
to make riding safer in the GTA</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxM6sJdmpM0Hd8brBOmp3Y08kwBZCqt5svl8RMLCBaFbD4jcDJTTQBE3OFz9Jq0R-GEJWM0tdoho2EeBktU32wiiGIBF_WW3moseDCDwVDYdOx1ku5sscge7wedk8DNmyHOWhb/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="72" data-original-width="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxM6sJdmpM0Hd8brBOmp3Y08kwBZCqt5svl8RMLCBaFbD4jcDJTTQBE3OFz9Jq0R-GEJWM0tdoho2EeBktU32wiiGIBF_WW3moseDCDwVDYdOx1ku5sscge7wedk8DNmyHOWhb/s1600/Capture.JPG" /></a></b></div>
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">Since beginning its lobbying efforts 4 years
ago, RTI has realized an unprecedented level of success in persuading public
officials to take motorcycle policy issues seriously, and to recognize the role
motorcyclists can play in helping to relieve traffic congestion.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">The Rider Training
Institute has successfully lobbied Toronto City Councillors to forward a motion
containing the most comprehensive set of motorcycle related policy changes ever
proposed in a Canadian municipality.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">The proposals set forth in the motion, drafted
by RTI in collaboration with Toronto Council Staff, focus on encouraging
motorcycle use in 3 key areas:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">1.      Secure Parking: a request
that the city expand the number of dedicated motorcycle & scooter parking
zones currently in place, and to begin immediate ticketing of prohibited
vehicles parked within those zones.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">2.      Access to Reserved Lanes:
a request that motorcycles be allowed access to a number of dedicated public
transit & taxi cab lanes in the downtown core, as well as on municipal
expressways.</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">3.     
Lane Filtering Pilot: a request that the city investigate a pilot project that
would allow motorcycles to filter between other vehicles, and only up to active
stop lights, along the Richmond and Adelaide Street corridors in downtown
Toronto.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYI0XRDpJrVcIXeRxLCS02Qx9T_HH8LqFtS3nl0_sDSjEasGVZMJWtdZQBScJBBNfgYgB4ecSjI3YVbqBy0ByGRioGW5fRd-5K_cBjqXa11sfgYpxaILkgwXaz39TdPLp4Uhh/s1600/Michel+Mersereau%252C+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYI0XRDpJrVcIXeRxLCS02Qx9T_HH8LqFtS3nl0_sDSjEasGVZMJWtdZQBScJBBNfgYgB4ecSjI3YVbqBy0ByGRioGW5fRd-5K_cBjqXa11sfgYpxaILkgwXaz39TdPLp4Uhh/s200/Michel+Mersereau%252C+.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">“RTI’s success in
pushing this motion forward follows its success last year in lobbying the city
to include motorcycles as one of the vulnerable road using populations identified
for special consideration in Toronto’s Vision Zero plan.” says Michel
Mersereau, instructor and lobbyist with RTI</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">In my interview, it was explained to me
that lane filtering (not to be confused with lane splitting) can markedly
reduce traffic congestion in an urban setting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">“Data suggests that under the correct
circumstances, and by reducing the risk of front or rear facing collisions,
filtering can “markedly” reduce the risk of death or serious injuries to
motorcyclists.” Said Sharron St. Croix, Executive Director Rider Training
Institute.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">As I learned, the circumstances are
twofold: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">1) Motorcyclists must perform the activity
only under the correct conditions <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">2) There must be a broad awareness on the
part of other drivers of the activity</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">The conditions they are proposing involve
filtering only up to an active stop light, only along lane boundaries that are
not adjacent to any curb, and with other vehicles at or near a standstill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">The pilot area being proposed intersects
the area of the city with the highest percentage of multi vehicle collisions
(Adelaide & Richmond Streets).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">If pursued, RTI will work with the city on
an advanced signage/messaging campaign along the proposed corridors to alert
drivers of the upcoming change. Sharon says, “Ideally, this messaging campaign
will have a 6-8 month lead in time prior to the launch of the pilot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">RTI will not support the initiative unless
an active messaging campaign is deployed well in advance, additionally, we will
work with media partners to get the message out to riders about the right &
wrong way to perform the activity if and when the pilot is approved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">We realize that opinions on lane filtering
are mixed in the riding community, but we also believe in pursuing evidence
based initiatives that have the potential to make roads safer for riders,
encourage motorcycle use, and help to ease congestion on our roads. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Lane filtering, contentious as it may be,
is one of those examples.”</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">If you
have any questions regarding the proposed policy, please contact:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Sharron St-Croix<br />
Executive Director RTI<br />
302 - 30 Duncan Street<br />
Toronto, ON  M5V 2C3<br />
416-516-6151 or 1-866-876-1551</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.ridertraining.ca/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0563c1;">www.ridertraining.ca</span></a></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>