Lane change

This driving task begins as you look for a space to change lanes and ends when you have completed the lane change. Remember to follow these actions:

Traffic check

While waiting to change lanes safely, look all around you. Divide your attention between watching in front, watching the mirrors and checking your blind spot. If there is another lane beside the one you are moving into, check traffic in that lane to avoid colliding with a vehicle moving into the lane at the same time as you do.

Signal

Turn on your signal when there is enough space for you to change lanes. After signalling, check your blind spot one more time before starting to move into the other lane. Your signal should be on soon enough to give traffic behind you time to react to the signal. If traffic in the lane you are moving into is heavy, you may turn on your signal before there is enough space to change lanes. This will let traffic behind you know that you are looking for a space to change lanes.

Space

Keep at least a two to three-second distance behind the vehicle in front of you. If there is another lane beside the one you are moving into, be careful not to move in beside another vehicle or into the blind spot of another vehicle.

Speed

Adjust your speed to match the speed of traffic in the new lane.

Change

Change lanes with a smooth, gradual movement into the centre of the new lane.

Both hands

Keep both hands on the steering wheel as you change lanes. Using both hands on the wheel gives you maximum steering control. An exception to this is if you have a disability that prevents you from using both hands.

Cancel signal

Turn off your signal as soon as you have changed lanes.

The stop

This driving task includes the actions you take while stopped and waiting to move through the intersection. Remember these points:

Stop

Come to a complete stop. Do not let your vehicle roll forward or backward. When traffic conditions allow, move forward to check that the way is clear or start across the intersection. If you have to stop after you have passed the stop line, do not back up.

Space

When stopped behind another vehicle at the intersection, leave enough space to pull out and pass without having to back up. Leaving this space protects you in three ways: it lets you pull around the vehicle in front if it stalls; it helps prevent you from being pushed into the vehicle ahead if you are hit from behind; and it reduces the risk of collision if the vehicle ahead rolls backward or backs up.

Stop line

If you are the first vehicle approaching an intersection with a red light or stop sign, stop behind the stop line if it is marked on the pavement. If there is no stop line, stop at the crosswalk, marked or not. If there is no crosswalk, stop at the edge of the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, stop at the edge of the intersection.

UK welcomes EU climate change proposals

The UK today welcomed the European Commission's ambitious proposals for tackling climate change and delivering a low carbon economy in Europe.

The package contains proposals to implement the decisions agreed by EU Heads of State and Government at the 2007 Spring European Council, including a 20 per cent reduction in EU greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, increasing to 30 per cent when there is an international climate agreement; 20 per cent of total EU energy consumption to come from renewables by 2020; and measures to support the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) including up to twelve CCS demonstration projects.

The proposals put the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) at the heart of EU climate policy, including establishing an EU-wide central cap on emissions covered by the EU ETS to 2020 and beyond, ensuring both scarcity and certainty, changed from the current system of Member States setting emissions caps for their own economies.

For the UK, the Commission's proposals include:

* A reduction of 16 per cent in UK greenhouse gas emissions from sectors not covered by the EU ETS by 2020 from 2005 levels;

* For 15 per cent of the energy consumed in the UK to come from renewable sources by 2020;

* For 10 per cent of road transport fuels to come from renewable sources, subject to them being produced in a sustainable way.

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said that the proposals sent a clear signal to the world that Europe was taking decisive action to fight climate change.

"This plan shows exactly what we are aiming for globally - a comprehensive and effective agreement to tackle climate change, with the carbon market at its heart. With a global deal, the EU will up its commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions to 30 per cent by 2020.

"Setting a clear long-term downward trajectory for the emissions cap for the EU ETS gives businesses and the market the certainty they've been looking for.

"I support the clear message from the Commission that there should be much more auctioning in the EU ETS. We would like to see increasing minimum levels of auctioning that allow Member States to set higher levels unilaterally. We will consult on this and the rest of the detail of the EU ETS review in the spring."

"More work must be done in a number of areas, including looking closely at the proposed UK contribution from the whole economy, rather than just the non-traded sector. The UK is determined to play its part in full, but we should ensure that there is collective effort from all Member States to play their part in meeting the EU target."

Business Secretary John Hutton outlined the UK's plans to review its strategy to meet the UK share of the EU renewables target:

"The UK remains committed to meeting its share of the EU renewables target which will be decided in the negotiations ahead, and the Commission's proposals are a welcome starting point for that discussion. Whatever the final outcome, the UK is already scoping a vast expansion of wind energy offshore and tidal power on the Severn, and we are already thoroughly reviewing our strategy to drive progress further.

"Other low carbon technologies must be part of the mix too. The Commission's proposals on removing regulatory barriers to Carbon Capture and Storage are vital. Demonstration of this globally significant technology must happen as soon as possible and I hope that the UK's demonstrator plant, expected to be up and running by 2014, can fully participate in EU initiatives on CCS demonstration.

"This package will show the EU's continuing global leadership on climate change. I want to see it agreed as soon as possible to give business the certainty it needs to plan low carbon investments with confidence."

Secretary of State for Transport Ruth Kelly said:

"This package demonstrates a firm commitment that transport must play its full part in tackling climate change as well as supporting sustainable economic growth. Action to encourage sustainable biofuels is one of a range of measures we are taking in the UK to reduce the impact of transport on the environment, backed by record investment in public transport, walking and cycling.

"I welcome the inclusion in the Commission's proposals of sustainability criteria for biofuels. These are a good starting point for negotiation. The UK has been leading the international drive to make sure the biofuels we use come from sustainable sources and we will be pressing to make sure European biofuels policy also includes strong safeguards to maximise greenhouse gas savings and protect the environment." 

FRA Train Accident Investigation Reports Now Publicly Available Online

To increase public awareness about the causes of specific train accidents and to reduce the need for individuals to submit Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is for the first time making its investigation reports of major train accidents and other incidents available online, FRA Administrator Joseph H. Boardman announced today.

“There’s no reason that anyone who’s interested shouldn’t be able to find out the probable cause of a train accident,” said Boardman, explaining that formal FRA accident investigation reports generally focus on high-consequence train-to-train collisions, derailments, certain highway-rail grade crossing collisions, and all railroad employee fatalities.

Boardman said that the Factual Investigation Reports now posted on the FRA web site contain detailed narratives describing the circumstances of the accident or incident and provide an analysis of the facts and FRA’s conclusion as to why the event occurred. Making this information more accessible will benefit railroads, railroad employees, state and local officials, communities, shippers, insurers and others directly or indirectly impacted by these events, he added.

FRA accident investigation reports for all of 2005 and 2006 and the first quarter of 2007 are online now. The reports for the remainder of 2007 will be posted in the coming months, and those for 2008 as well as all future reports will be made available online as they are completed and finalized, Boardman said. A major train accident or incident investigation typically takes six to nine months to complete, and no portions of reports are made public until an investigation is finalized. An up-to-date listing of all active, open and ongoing investigations will also be posted online.

The FRA continuously monitors the occurrence of train accidents and incidents in real time. FRA field personnel are routinely dispatched to the scene of serious accidents in order to determine whether an investigation is warranted. During an investigation, a team of subject experts undertake a methodical examination of the event, and also assess compliance with the existing safety laws and regulations. If the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) also decides to investigate the same event, by law it assumes primary responsibility for managing the investigative process with FRA performing a concurrent supporting role. FRA does not typically release its own report about an accident until the NTSB has issued its findings.

Towing

This chapter tells you what you need to know to tow a trailer behind a car, van or small truck in Ontario. This includes license and registration requirements, trailer size and characteristics, as well as safety tips to follow when towing a trailer.

Before you attempt to tow a trailer, consider the size, power and condition of your vehicle. Make sure it is capable of towing both the trailer and the load you intend to carry, and that your trailer and hitch meet all the requirements described in this chapter.

New residents

New Ontario residents have 30 days to register their vehicles. To get a vehicle permit and Ontario license plates, go to a Driver and Vehicle License Issuing Office. You must bring along:

* A Safety Standards Certificate

* Proof of insurance

* A Vehicle Import Form 1 if you have brought the vehicle in from another country

* The vehicle permit, or ownership, from where you used to live.

* A Drive Clean Vehicle Emissions Pass Report may be required if the vehicle is being registered as “fit” in the Drive Clean program area. Current and future model year vehicles are exempt and light duty vehicles older than 1988 are exempt starting in 2007.

FRA Train Accident Investigation Reports Now Publicly Available Online

To increase public awareness about the causes of specific train accidents and to reduce the need for individuals to submit Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is for the first time making its investigation reports of major train accidents and other incidents available online, FRA Administrator Joseph H. Boardman announced today.

“There’s no reason that anyone who’s interested shouldn’t be able to find out the probable cause of a train accident,” said Boardman, explaining that formal FRA accident investigation reports generally focus on high-consequence train-to-train collisions, derailments, certain highway-rail grade crossing collisions, and all railroad employee fatalities.

Boardman said that the Factual Investigation Reports now posted on the FRA web site contain detailed narratives describing the circumstances of the accident or incident and provide an analysis of the facts and FRA’s conclusion as to why the event occurred. Making this information more accessible will benefit railroads, railroad employees, state and local officials, communities, shippers, insurers and others directly or indirectly impacted by these events, he added.

FRA accident investigation reports for all of 2005 and 2006 and the first quarter of 2007 are online now. The reports for the remainder of 2007 will be posted in the coming months, and those for 2008 as well as all future reports will be made available online as they are completed and finalized, Boardman said. A major train accident or incident investigation typically takes six to nine months to complete, and no portions of reports are made public until an investigation is finalized. An up-to-date listing of all active, open and ongoing investigations will also be posted online.

The FRA continuously monitors the occurrence of train accidents and incidents in real time. FRA field personnel are routinely dispatched to the scene of serious accidents in order to determine whether an investigation is warranted. During an investigation, a team of subject experts undertake a methodical examination of the event, and also assess compliance with the existing safety laws and regulations. If the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) also decides to investigate the same event, by law it assumes primary responsibility for managing the investigative process with FRA performing a concurrent supporting role. FRA does not typically release its own report about an accident until the NTSB has issued its findings.