Tips, Talk and Insight from the Slater Vecchio Team
February.21.2012

Winter Tire Laws in BC

Posted by Nicole Kelly

In earlier posts we’ve provided some tips on seasonal car care to ensure safety on the roads in bad weather. Most recently, Kelley Stewart shared knowledge from her Saskatchewan upbringing about how to be prepared for winter driving conditions.

But what does the law actually say about winter driving in BC?

Signs posted on BC highways require that drivers are either using winter tires, or are carrying chains in the car with them. The law is in effect from October 1 to April 30 on all numbered highways in BC excluding the Lower Mainland. READ FULL ARTICLE +

Category: Motorists
February.17.2012

The BC Paraplegic Association’s “In the Spotlight”

Posted by Slater Vecchio

The BC Paraplegic Association (BCPA) helps people with spinal cord injury and their families adjust, adapt, and thrive in their new lives. They provide answers, information, and unique experiences to those within the community.

One of the programs run by the BCPA is the Peer Program. The program provides social connections, educational opportunities, and unique life experiences to individuals with a spinal cord injury. READ FULL ARTICLE +

Category: Announcements
February.15.2012

Concussions Worse for Youth

Posted by Michael Slater QC

Boy with headache after suffering concussionLast week, The Vancouver Sun gave us a first-hand account of the impact that concussions have on youth.

The story is about an 11-year-old hockey player named Jason who has suffered two concussions this season. Most recently, Jason took a shoulder to the head from a bigger opponent, sending him crashing into the boards and leaving him with a concussion.

Jason simply got up and skated to the bench after the hit.

But his father and coach both knew that something was wrong. The next day doctors confirmed that Jason had suffered his second concussion in only six months, and for several weeks after he would wake up with throbbing headaches. Even worse for Jason was sitting on the sidelines watching his teammates play. READ FULL ARTICLE +

Category: Brain Injury, Child Safety
February.9.2012

Cell Phones: a Fatal Distraction

Posted by Nicholas Tsoi

distracted driving kills Distracted driving is once again in the news, making front page of The Province newspaper on Tuesday.

The good news: progress is being made in the fight against distracted driving. The bad news: distracted driving is still the number one contributor to fatal car crashes in the Lower Mainland. Last year, 27 people were killed in BC as a result of distracted driving, down from 46 in 2010. The goal for 2012 is to reduce the number of fatalities to 20 says Norm Gaumont, head of Traffic Services for the Lower Mainland District Regional Police Services.

But is a “20 death goal” acceptable for something so totally preventable? READ FULL ARTICLE +

Category: Motorists
February.6.2012

Paediatricians on concussions: if in doubt – sit out

Posted by J.A. Pankiw-Petty

Concussion in Youth SportsIn a recent press release, the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) draws attention to the seriousness of concussions in youth sports.

An official statement made by Dr. Laura Purcell explains that the brains of children and adolescents are more vulnerable to head injury and recovery times are longer. Concussions need to be recognized and managed appropriately so they don’t cause long term effects on a child’s social, academic, and sport achievements. READ FULL ARTICLE +

Category: Brain Injury, Child Safety
February.1.2012

City Liable for Rollerbladers’ Injuries

Posted by Saro Turner

This case comes from our neighbours in Alberta.

Two rollerbladers are injured in separate accidents on city land. The land was designed by the City of Calgary, and is available to the public for recreational use. In one accident, rollerblader Christensen crashes when unable to make a turn at the bottom of a hill. In a second accident, after the City posts a new warning sign, rollerblader Gaston drops to the ground and strikes a pole.

An expert in rollerblading (or “in-line skating”) surveys the hill where both men are injured. The expert says the hill is dangerous for beginner to intermediate-level skaters, and challenging for expert-level skaters. READ FULL ARTICLE +

Category: Uncategorized
January.30.2012

Skiing & Snowboarding Injuries Top the Charts for Winter Sports

Posted by Cheryl D'Sa

CTV reports that skiing and snowboarding tops the list of winter sports causing injury. Every winter, more than 5,600 Canadians get seriously injured while on the slopes – significant, considering only 1,100 serious hockey injuries were reported in 2010-2011.

Head injuries receive the most attention. Last year, 415 Canadians were hospitalized for head injuries related to winter sports. Nearly one-third of these occurred while skiing or snowboarding.

According to the CTV report, researchers have found that children under 10 were hospitalized most often for skiing and snowboarding injuries, followed by tobogganing. READ FULL ARTICLE +

Category: Brain Injury, Child Safety
January.25.2012

Child Car Seat Manufacturers Must Meet Stricter Safety Requirements

Posted by Aimee King

Car seat manufacturers must now meet stricter testing requirements aimed to increase safety for children. Some of the updates align with rules in the U.S., and some are specific to Canada.

Transport Canada lists the major changes in a recent news release:

  • a new testing requirement using a three-point seatbelt to secure car seats;
  • changes to the seats’ dynamic testing to adopt most U.S. parameters;
  • changing the definition of an infant to any child weighing up to 10 kg, rather than nine kg; READ FULL ARTICLE +
Category: Child Safety
January.23.2012

Routine Play Leads to Long Term Brain Injury

Posted by Tony Vecchio

It’s not just the big hits in football that cause brain injury. A new concussion study finds it’s also the accumulation of repetitive, routine jolts that cause long-term damage, reports the NCAA.

The University of Rochester study began by using Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) to study the brains of 10 high school football players. Of the 10, one player had suffered a concussion.

Researchers were surprised to find that the scan of the injured player revealed as much damage as those of his teammates who suffered regular levels of contact. READ FULL ARTICLE +

Category: Brain Injury
January.13.2012

More on Child Car Seat Safety

Posted by James Richards

Child car seat safety is once again in the news.

As of January 1st, the state of California requires that children use car seats until they are either 8-years-old or 4’9” tall. The previous requirement was 6 years or 60 pounds.

In BC, the laws are slightly stricter. Kids over 40lbs must use a booster seat with a lap and shoulder belt until they are either 9 years old or 4’9”, whichever comes first. See the RCMP website for all BC child safety seat regulations.

In other car seat news, a class action lawsuit has been filed against Graco Children’s Products. READ FULL ARTICLE +

Category: Child Safety, Motorists