By Tony Poland, LegalMatters Staff • It is time to dispel the notion that driving an automobile is a right and consider lifetime bans for impaired drivers, says Ontario trial lawyer and safety advocate Patrick Brown. Brown, principal partner with McLeish Orlando LLP, says lifetime licence revocation for repeat drunk drivers should be the norm […]
Lifetime licence bans are needed to fight drinking and driving Read More »
Police have repeatedly stated that a major cause for road violence is distracted driving with people continuiung to drive, read texts, read directions and answer emails all while navigating two tons of metal on our streets. Trying to charge and prosecute distracted drivers can be difficult, and a significant impediment to finding out what
Tinted windows in automobiles: are they permitted in Ontario? Read More »
By LegalMatters Staff • A “disproportionate number” of cycling fatalities in the past few months illustrates the need for stronger penalties, improved infrastructure and more robust law enforcement to curb senseless tragedies, says Ontario trial lawyer and safety advocate Patrick Brown. “The bottom line has been and continues to be that we need more vigorous
Recent cycling deaths point to a need to make roads safer Read More »
In the past, the Toronto Police Services Board refused to release the identities of drivers who door cyclists by maintaining that it is considered an “incident” as opposed to a reportable motor vehicle accident and by relying on the personal information exemption found under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990.
Obtaining the identification of the person who doored you is important Read More »
More than ever, this would be the perfect opportunity for Ontario to step up and abolish jury trials in civil matter proceedings. There are a number of reasons why including the fact that all civil jury trials have been suspended and it is likely they will be the last forums to open for obvious reasons
This is the right time to abolish jury trials in civil matters Read More »
In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice temporarily suspended its regular operations effective March 17. Several Notices to the Profession issued since then were consolidated into the single Notice to the Profession dated May 13, 2020. This most recent notice reaffirmed the court’s call for cooperation among counsel and parties
Virtual examinations and consolidated notice to profession Read More »
In 2019, 42 pedestrian fatalities were recorded in Toronto. According to one source, six pedestrians are struck by vehicles every day in Toronto. Although some political leaders acknowledge Toronto’s road safety crisis and initiatives such as Vision Zero have been voiced, they have largely failed to improve pedestrian safety. Five common myths have been disseminated to discredit pedestrians
Five common myths shrouding the realities of pedestrian safety Read More »
By LegalMatters Staff • A $700,000 judgment against a recreational league hockey player for a hit against an opponent is a warning to others who “carry themselves in a negligent manner,” says Ontario trial lawyer and safety advocate Patrick Brown. “If you are going to act recklessly on the ice and hit people when you
Reckless play in a ‘beer league’ game can come with a cost Read More »
Ontario personal injury lawyer and road safety advocate Patrick Brown tells CBC News he is lobbying the province to implement technology that would allow police to conduct roadside tests to see if drivers are using their cellphones behind the wheel. The technology behind the ‘Textalyzer’ device is being debated in several U.S. cities, CBC reports, and its developer says
Province urged to use roadside technology to stop cell phone use while driving Read More »
Ontario personal injury lawyer Patrick Brown tells CTV News that people should be warned about using “dangerous” table-top ethanol-fuelled fireplaces after his client was hit by a jet of fire from one of these devices and is now fighting for her life. Brown, a principal partner with McLeish Orlando LLP, represents the family of Cindy Iannucci, who has been in a
Table-top ethanol-fuelled fireplaces can be hazardous Read More »
