th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, Ju ly 25 ,2 01 9 | 8 It's about trust. Our relation- ship with our readers is built on transparency, honesty and integ- rity. As such, we have launched a trust initiative to tell you who we are and how and why we do what we do. This column is part of that project. Collecting small details can lead to big stories. In trying to identify why this year has had a particularly high number of motorcycle collisions, we're also able to examine what can be done to prevent them. When I started looking at fatal and life-altering motorcycle col- lisions in 2019, I gathered a list of all the crashes we covered, and from there picked out the details in what became effectively a spreadsheet in my notepad. Where did the crash happen? How old was the victim? What were they driving? What might be a small story about a traffic accident, when lined up end to end with other motorcycle collisions this year, starts to tell a much bigger story. While one in five motorcycles in Canada belong to a woman, the list of victims in 2019 is exclusive- ly male. While the youngest vic- tim of 2019 was a 21-year-old Oak- ville man, the majority were old- er than 30, with the oldest victim being a 54-year-old man from Hamilton. The bikes themselves were mainly sport bikes, often in a dark colour. Speaking with Sgt. Ryan Snow of the Halton Regional Police Ser- vice's traffic services unit, I learned that a number of colli- sions involving motorcycles aren't necessarily distracted driving or speeding, but a motor- ist misjudging the distance be- tween a bike and their vehicle when making a left-hand turn. Smaller, sportier bikes can make it more difficult for drivers to gauge distance, especially if a motorcycle is moving faster than anticipated. Thus, by installing brighter headlights on bikes, giv- ing motorcyclists more space, and slowing down, the roads are safer for one of the most vulner- ableroad users. While Snow provided an an- swer to why, Rob Copeland, the chief instructor at Motorcycle Training Ontario of Halton/Peel, provided insight on how riders and drivers can minimize poten- tial tragedy. We welcome your questions and value your comments. Email our trust committee at trust@metroland.com. Bryan Myers is a reporter with Metroland Media Group's Halton Division. OPINION TELLING BIG STORIES USING MANY SMALL STORIES CRASHES OFTEN DUE TO MISJUDGING DISTANCE BETWEEN VEHICLES AROUND TURNS, WRITES MYERS BRYAN MYERS Column Please keep our community clean! PLEASE RECYCLE THIS PAPER SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE INVESTING CANNABIS & BEYOND MEAT STOCKS FOR STRAIGHT TALK YOU WILL NEED TO HEAR BEFORE YOU MAKE ANY INVESTMENTS Join : Thomas Savage AUGUST 21, 2019 6:30PM TO 8:30 PM Halton Hills Cultural Centre Studio 9 Church Street, Georgetown, Ontario L7C 2A1 Hometown talks SEATING IS LIMITED RSVP: By August 19th 2019 to Lay Arato 905-864-4111 OR lay.arato@igprivatewealth.com Investors Group Securities Inc. Trademarks, including IG Private Wealth Management, are owned by IGM Financial Inc. and licensed to its subsidiary corporations. By Cory Soal R.H.A.D. . . . Lend MeYour Ears CAN I HAVE A TRIAL PERIOD! Noises aNd your sLeep We care about your hearing! Professional Arts Building 99 Sinclair Ave., Suite 210, Georgetown 905-873-6642 Serving the community of Halton Hills and surrounding areas since 1992 The Georgetown Noise does not have to be loud to be harmful, it could take as little 60 decibels (the level of a quiet air conditioner) - to prod us from deep to superficial sleep without our knowing it, interrupting R.E.M. Cycles and leaving us to face the day fatigued and unfocused. Sleep deprivation from various noisy sources has been blamed for the thousands of highway and industrial accidents each year. The Hearing Clinic specializes in noise alleviating ear plugs, for more information please call today. For more information feel free to call... Open year round Endless possibilities CELEBRATING all of LIFE'S MOMENTS EAGLE RIDGE GOLF CLUB | RR #4, 11742 TENTH LINE, GEORGETOWN, ON | eagleridge.clublink.ca BAPTISMS and CHRISTENINGS BABY SHOWERS BRIDAL SHOWERS REHEARSAL DINNERS WEDDINGS BIRTHDAYS CELEBRATIONS of LIFE FUNDRAISERS HOLIDAY PARTIES BRUNCHES MEETINGS a picturesque location for your event For more information contact Chuck Stratton | 905-877-8468 ext 2223 | cstratton@clublink.ca Cell: 416-996-9338 jay@hilltoptreecare.ca www.hilltoptreecare.ca It's Lonely at the Top!