Patrick Brown discusses the preventable nature of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and the insufficient efforts to curb these injuries in the context of road safety. It explores the significant financial and social costs of TBIs on healthcare and insurance systems and emphasizes the need for comprehensive and evidence-based measures to enhance road safety and prevent TBIs.
Patrick Brown, Partner at McLeish Orlando involved in TBI cases, recounts efforts to address road safety, including approaching the Ontario Chief Coroner to review cycling and pedestrian deaths, resulting in 26 recommendations. However, the article highlights that some crucial recommendations, such as reducing speeds, installing side guards on large trucks, and implementing a Vulnerable Road User Law, have not been fully adopted by governing bodies.
The impact of vehicle speed on the severity of injuries, including TBIs, is emphasized, with a call for stricter speed limits, improved road infrastructure, and a comprehensive approach to reducing speed-related injuries. The article also discusses the importance of side guards on large trucks in protecting vulnerable road users and emphasizes the need for a Vulnerable Road User Law to deter bad drivers and provide justice to victims. Additionally, the article addresses the risks posed by larger vehicles, such as pickup trucks and SUVs, to pedestrians and cyclists, calling for measures such as new driver licensing classes and increased insurance rates for drivers of large vehicles.
Overall, the article emphasizes the need for evidence-based action to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities on roadways, protect vulnerable road users, and prioritize the well-being of all road users. Patrick Brown advocates for comprehensive measures to enhance road safety and prevent traumatic brain injuries in Ontario.
Read full article here: https://obia.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/OBIA-Review-31-3-Road-Safety-WEB.pdf
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