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McGuinty Government Studying Green Transportation Option
TORONTO, July 28 /CNW/ -
NEWS
Ontario is commissioning a study to help determine safety standards for
low-speed vehicles and how these vehicles can be used safely on Ontario's
roads.
Low-speed vehicles are four-wheeled vehicles powered by an electric
motor. They produce no emissions and can reach a maximum speed between 32 and
40 kilometres per hour.
Ontario is currently testing low-speed vehicles in parks and conservation
areas, but does not allow them on public roads because these vehicles do not
meet federal passenger car safety standards or Highway Traffic Act equipment
requirements. Intended for use in controlled environments such as parks or
gated communities, low-speed vehicles only need to meet three federal safety
standards, compared to the 40 that passenger cars are required to meet.
QUOTES
"We want low-speed electric vehicles on our roads, and we are looking at
how it can be done safely," said Transportation Minister Jim Bradley
(http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/about/minister.htm). "Additional safety
features may be necessary, and this study will help us determine our next
steps. I look forward to getting these results and to getting these vehicles
on the road."
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QUICK FACTS
- In 2006 Ontario launched a five-year pilot to allow low-speed vehicles
in provincial and municipal parks and conservation areas across the
province.
- Ontario is committed to improving the quality of the air we breathe.
Recently the province launched the Next Generation of Jobs Fund, which
provides $1.15 billion to help innovative companies create well-
paying, sustainable jobs, including those that reduce energy
consumption and carbon emissions. This is in addition to investments
of more than $1 billion that Ontario has made to encourage the
manufacture of greener cars and other products.
- Ontario's roads are among the safest in North America, year-in, year-
out. With 0.87 road fatalities per 10,000 licensed drivers - a record
low for this province - Ontario has a better road safety record than
any other province or U.S. state.
- Electric passenger cars that meet all 40 federally-mandated passenger
car safety and equipment standards are currently allowed on Ontario
roads.
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LEARN MORE
Read Transport Canada's information sheet
(http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/tp2436/rs200803/menu.htm) on low-speed
vehicles, which includes information on the safety standards that LSVs have to
meet, and their recommended uses.
Learn more about Ontario's low-speed vehicle pilot test
(http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/vehicle/emerging/lsv-faq.htm) in parks
and conservation areas.
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ontario.ca/transportation
Disponible en français
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For further information: Nicole Lippa-Gasparro, Minister's Office, (416) 327-1815; Bob Nichols, Communications Branch, (416) 327-1158
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