Driving Tips and Advice

Distracted driving is more than just using cell phones for calls or texting. It can include any activity that distracts the driver from safely operating their vehicle.

Did you know that with the passing of Ontario’s Bill 31 – Making Ontario’s Roads Safer Act the penalties associated with distracted driving have increased?

Click here for more information about Distracted Driving Law from the City of Hamilton.

As part of the City of Hamilton’s goal to achieve Vision Zero, the City is reminding residents to drive with caution, especially in winter weather.

Follow this link to the City of Hamilton’s website to learn few things you can do to keep Hamilton roads safe in winter weather conditions.

https://www.hamilton.ca/home-neighbourhood/getting-around/driving-traffic/vision-zero-roadway-safety/winter-driving

The Red Light Camera program is designed to:

• modify aggressive driving behaviour
• increase awareness of the dangers of running red lights

Running red lights is illegal. It is unsafe for motorists to enter an intersection after the signal light has turned red.

Experience suggests that the program improves road safety as evidenced by a decrease in fatal and injury collisions across the six participating municipalities.

For more info https://www.hamilton.ca/streets-transportation/driving-traffic/red-light-cameras

Ontario’s Move Over Law

Vehicles required to move over for emergency vehicles and tow trucks

In Ontario, ‘Move Over’ legislation was drafted in 2003. The law requires drivers to slow down and proceed with caution when passing an emergency vehicle or tow truck parked on the side of the highway with its lights activated. If the highway has more than one lane, the law requires the driver to move over and leave one lane between their vehicle and the parked emergency vehicle or tow truck if it can be done safely.

Drivers can face fines from $490 to $2,000 by failing to comply.

Click here to read more about “Move Over” Campaign

Excess and inappropriate speed is responsible for a high percentage of injuries and fatalities resulting from road collisions. Controlling vehicle speed can prevent collisions happening and can reduce the impact when they do occur by giving people more time to stop, lessening the likelihood of a collision and reducing the severity of injuries.

Click here to read this message from the City of Hamilton

Drug-impaired driving is dangerous and against the law

There’s a lot going on around you when you drive. You need to be totally focussed so that if a split-second – and potentially life-saving – decision needs to be made, you’re ready for it.

Drugs affect your ability to react and increase the chance of a crash. Don’t get behind the wheel or get in a car with an impaired driver — it’s just not worth the risk.

Driving impaired is illegal. Learn about the types, risks, laws and enforcement.

Cannabis became legal for adults in Canada on October 17, 2018. Get the facts.

New rules regarding Pedestrian Crossovers came into effect January 1, 2017. Basically, provincial law now requires that drivers and cyclists stop and not go until pedestrians have fully stepped off the road only at SPECIALLY DESIGNATED “crossovers” — and whenever a crossing guard is in action. It is the responsibility of both drivers and pedestrians to understand and follow the rules of the road.

What is a Pedestrian Crossover?

Pedestrian crossovers are a new way for pedestrians to safely cross the road. By law, drivers and cyclists must stop and yield to pedestrians intending to cross the road, and wait for them to completely reach the other side before driving.

Pedestrian Crossovers are marked by signs and pavement markings. In some cases, but not always, they may also have pedestrian-activated flashing lights.

Here is an explanation published by the city of Hamilton. https://www.hamilton.ca/streets-transportation/driving-traffic/pedestrian-crossovers

Academy of Driving Unipol should be your only choice when it comes to choosing a local Beginner Driver Education approved driving course provider. We have over 30,000 satisfied licensed, driving clients. It is easy to take the Driver training industry for granted, but this is a life skill that we are proud to pass on for the safety of the motoring public. At Unipol we do the job correctly the first time, so that in the future there are no close calls on the road. Teenagers, especially male teens are overrepresented in fatal car crashes. The first thing that must be taught is having the right attitude on our roadways. We focus on this, along with co-operative driving, to prevent carnage on our roads and highways.

Learn for Life

Some families may think that the licensing process stops with the acquiring of a G2 license, and totally neglect the second phase of full license privileges. This is also where Academy of Driving Unipol can be of tremendous help and survival skills. We strongly recommend taking specific highway lessons prior to your full G license test, so that we may correct any driving deficiencies a student may have. Come, be the best driver you can be to navigate the world of uncertainty. For all of your driving needs contact Academy of Driving Unipol.

Academy of Driving Unipol should be your only choice when it comes to navigating Ontario’s graduating licencing system. Whether you are attempting to obtain your G1 ,G2 OR even full G licencing privileges – register with us, so that we may seamlessly guide you through the various steps.

A Graduated Licencing System

Ontario’s graduated licencing lets drivers build their skills through a three stage process. Drivers need to progress through G1, then G2, all the war to full G licence.

Learn with Unipol

After completing the G1 written test drivers should enroll with Unipol to reduce their G1 exit time from one full year to only eight months! As a bonus upon completion of the Unipol Beginners Driver Education Program drivers have a much greater chance of passing their G2 test. An additional bonus is to be able to qualify for a significant insurance discount. After one year of G2 driving students can also return for highway brush up lessons in order to obtain full G licence privileges. Truly a win – win situation! So for your G1, G2 or Full G driver’s Licence in Hamilton, Ancaster and Stoney Creek, choose Academy of Driving Unipol. Contact us today.