A new Toronto police campaign aimed at increasing road safety is “disproportionate, and can only be seen as victim-blaming,” Toronto critical injury lawyer and road safety activist Patrick Brown tells the Toronto Star. The police initiative — “Road Safety … It Starts With You” — was coincidentally launched during a spike in traffic deaths. The Star reports that five pedestrians […]
Police road safety campaign misses the mark: Brown Read More »
City planners should respond to unsafe cycle lanes by improving, not removing them, says Toronto critical injury lawyer and road safety activist Patrick Brown. In a recent Financial Post article, Lawrence Solomon, the executive director of the Urban Renaissance Institute, argues that cities should rip out their bike lanes, claiming that they bring a false sense of security
Don’t get rid of bicycle lanes, make them safer Read More »
Government MPPs put politics before road safety by voting down amendments to a bill at Queen’s Park, says Toronto critical injury lawyer and safety advocate Patrick Brown. NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo had asked members of the legislature’s Justice Policy committee to incorporate her own private member’s bill, the Protecting Vulnerable Road Users Act, into the road safety provisions
Road safety loses out to partisan politics: Brown Read More »
Drivers who kill or injure pedestrians should not be able to rely on their own inattentiveness and distracted driving as a defence to criminal and provincial offences, Toronto critical injury lawyer and safety advocate Patrick Brown tells the Toronto Star. Brown, a partner with McLeish Orlando LLP,was commenting after a young driver asked a judge to direct an acquittal
Inattention shouldn’t be valid defence for drivers who kill pedestrians Read More »
Delays in the justice system are compounding the suffering of road crash victims, Toronto critical injury lawyer Patrick Brown writes in The Lawyers Daily. Brown, a senior partner with McLeish Orlando LLP, says in the article that those who stick to their guns rather than accept a “low-ball” early offer from insurance adjusters must “buckle in for the long
Road crash victims suffering compounded by delays Read More »
A driver who ran a cyclist off the road appears to be using his car as a weapon, Toronto critical injury lawyer Patrick Brown tells CBC News. The cyclist posted a video of the incident online after the clash in Toronto which he claimed almost killed him. Meanwhile, the driver told the news outlet the biker’s aggression was
Charges doubtful after driver clashes with cyclist Read More »
A new provincial private member’s bill would result in more appropriate punishments for drivers who kill or injure pedestrians and cyclists, says Toronto critical injury lawyer and safety advocate Patrick Brown. Brown, partner with McLeish Orlando LLP, was recently at Queen’s Park for the introduction of Bill 158, the Protecting Vulnerable Road Users Act by NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo.
Proposed law would help provide justice to vulnerable road users Read More »
Tougher careless driving laws will not necessarily translate to tougher penalties, Toronto critical injury lawyer Patrick Brown tells Global News. The provincial government unveiled a series of proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act, including the creation of the new offence:careless driving causing death or bodily harm. Conviction could result in a maximum penalty of a $50,000 fine, up to two
Changes to careless driving laws a ‘step in right direction’ Read More »
In many cases, a car is the weapon of choice against a cyclist — and although the consequences for the victim are far greater than if they had been attacked by some other means, the penalties for the driver are often minimal, Toronto critical injury lawyer Patrick Brown writes in Canadian Cycling Magazine. In one recent case caught
Harsh penalties are needed when cars used as weapons Read More »
The provincial government should steer clear of cycle licences, says Toronto critical injury lawyer and safety advocate Patrick Brown. A recent study by consulting firm Campaign Research found a majority of Torontonians surveyed would like to see stricter rules before cyclists can take to the streets. Around 60 per cent of respondents agreed that cyclists should be tested
Bicycle licensing would be a ‘backward move’ Read More »
