Vote for Ontario's Worst Road

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - March 25, 2014) - This winter will likely be remembered as the worst winter in the last twenty years. The fluctuating freeze-thaw cycle over the past four months has littered Ontario roads with crater-sized potholes resulting in teeth-rattling rides for road users.

With so many roads across the province in need of dire repairs, CAA North & East Ontario (CAA NEO) along with its other Ontario Clubs, CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Niagara are once again looking to put power into the hands of road users with the ever popular Ontario Worst Road campaign. The campaign, which kicked off today in Toronto, looks to raise awareness of more than just potholes, but also traffic congestion, poor timing of traffic signals, confusing road signs, as well as, cycling safety and issues pertaining to distracted driving.

"Road safety and maintenance has always been of huge concern for us," said Christina Hlusko, President and CEO of CAA NEO. "We really want to encourage not just motorists, but cyclists and pedestrians as well to cast their vote and have a say in order to help bring attention to our crumbling and sometimes unsafe roadways."

Road users can have their say by casting a ballot online at www.worstroads.ca by April 25, 2014. The website will also allow individuals to view in real-time the roads that are receiving the most votes across the province. Last year, three roads from the North and East Ontario region made the list: Carling Avenue in Ottawa, which has been a regular fixture on the list for the past four years, Kraft Creek Road in Timmins and Bouvier Road in Clarence-Rockland.

CAA has long been urging the Ontario government to permanently dedicate a portion of the revenue collected from gas taxes to fixing our roads, bridges and highways. A CAA commissioned report by The Conference Board of Canada concluded motorists in Ontario cover between 70 and 90 percent of the costs of the road network through fees and gas taxes. The Provincial excise tax currently stands at 14.7 cents on every litre of gas and diesel sold in Ontario which generated approximately $3.1 billion in 2012-2013.

CAA North & East Ontario provides roadside assistance to Members, along with an extensive array of travel and insurance services designed to suit the individual needs, wants and expectations of its Members.

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