Latest news with #Giesbrecht
Herald Sun
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Herald Sun
‘Killer cars': Fatal mistake too many Aussies are making
Don't miss out on the headlines from Motoring. Followed categories will be added to My News. They're built to protect us, packed with airbags, reinforced cabins and intelligent driver aids. But when floodwaters rise, even the safest cars on Australian roads can become deadly traps. As New South Wales reels from one of its most severe weather disasters in recent years, thousands have been cut off, homes destroyed and lives lost. Entire communities across the mid North Coast have been left stranded. An estimated 12,000 people are still isolated, more than 793 rescues by NSW State Emergency Services (SES) have been carried out and at least five people have died – three of them found trapped in their vehicles. Among those deceased – a man in his 70s found in his vehicle off the Orara Way at Nana Glen. A 60-year-old woman who was caught in flood water while travelling from Sydney to Coffs Harbour in a four-wheel drive and a body of a man believed to be in his 80s was found inside a burnt-out vehicle inside a shed. MORE: Aussie Tesla owner's nightmare laid bare NSW recent floods were deadly. Picture: SES via NewsWire These aren't isolated tragedies but part of a growing problem and according to NSW State Emergency Services (SES), it's one that's largely misunderstood. 'Many drivers mistakenly believe it's safe to cross floodwaters, underestimating the depth, strength and hidden dangers,' a NSW SES spokesperson said. Between 2001 and 2017, 96 Australians lost their lives in flood-related vehicle incidents, of those 66 per cent drowned. While the numbers may seem low, they could have been prevented and as weather events across Australia intensify, experts warn these incidents will become more frequent. 'A car is a boat with a big leak' A vehicle offers transportation but in times of panic, they're used as shelters and as an escape method. But in rising waters, these safe vehicles can quickly become death traps. NSW SES said the science is simple: Just 15 centimetres of moving water can cause a driver to lose control and 30 centimetres is enough to float most vehicles. 'Many drivers mistakenly believe it's safe to cross floodwaters, underestimating the depth, strength, and hidden dangers, but even shallow water can sweep vehicles away. If it's flooded, forget it,' a NSW SES spokesperson said. MORE: Trump declares war on 'world's worst car feature' Too many people drive into floodwaters. Picture: NSW SES Canterbury Professor Giesbrecht, a world-renowned expert in vehicle submersions based in Canada, has spent nearly two decades studying how people can escape from sinking vehicles. He says survival depends on acting quickly. 'People think they'll be rescued, or they believe they can wait until the car fills with water to open the door. Those are misconceptions, and they're deadly,' he said. Dr Giesbrecht explained that most assume the safest option is to stay within the vehicle, with all doors and windows secured but that's when the vehicle can quickly become a 'death trap'. He explained that once a vehicle enters water it will initially float, but not for long. 'You have about one minute to get out,' he said. MORE: iPhone car coming to Australia Professor Giesbrecht, a world-renowned expert in vehicle submersions based in Canada, has spent nearly two decades studying how people can escape from sinking vehicles. 'The water is higher on the outside because the vehicle's heavy. It's very difficult, if not impossible, to open the doors,' he said. Attempting to open the door, he warns, can cause water to rush in, forcing the vehicle into a nosedive or in some cases, slamming the door shut. 'You should never open the door,' he said. Professor Giesbrecht has conducted more submersion escape tests than any other researcher in the world and says the biggest danger isn't the water – it's time. Many make the mistake of believing the car will protect them, or that waiting for help is the safest option. But in a flood event, even emergency services can't respond in time. MORE: The Yank tank cutting Australia in two A car submerged in a flooded area in the New South Wales town of Taree. Picture: AFP The 'stop, drop and roll' of flood-related emergencies In a fire emergency, the standard procedure we learn is 'stop, drop, and roll.' But how come we never learnt what to do in a flood-related emergency? According to a 2017 study by Professor Giesbrecht, 94 per cent of people don't know how to escape a sinking vehicle. Professor Giesbrecht said it's simple, escape through the window immediately. If the vehicle's electronics are still functioning, the powered windows should open. To help people remember, Professor Giesbrecht has developed the acronym SWOC – seatbelts off, windows open, out immediately and children first. Professor Giesbrecht hopes that by teaching people the SWOC method, lives can be saved. 'These are tragic because you get people who are awake and functional, who drown because they don't know how to escape,' he said. Professor Giesbrecht, a world-renowned expert in vehicle submersions based in Canada, has spent nearly two decades studying how people can escape from sinking vehicles. Video: Supplied by Dr. Giesbrecht But most drivers in Australia will never be taught this. A NSW SES spokesperson said SES will continue educating communities with knowledge about the dangers of driving through floodwaters. 'Helping drivers make safer choices and stay prepared during severe weather events as many drivers still underestimate the dangers of driving through flood waters,' a NSW SES spokesperson said. A car sits submerged in flood water. Picture: AFP With more than 12,000 people remaining isolated, SES Superintendent Dallas Byrnes said they are still witnessing dangerous behaviour. 'People are still driving into floodwaters, which is really concerning – incredibly dangerous,' he said. Originally published as 'Killer cars': Fatal mistake too many Aussies are making
CBC
08-02-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Edmonton Elections details finance disclosure rules for this year's campaigns
Edmonton Elections has released more information about properly disclosing campaign finances, as political parties are introduced into this year's municipal election. Alberta's Local Authorities Election Act was altered last year to allow for the creation of political parties in civic elections. Municipal parties must be separate and distinct from federal and provincial parties, and they cannot receive campaign contributions from those parties. On Friday, Aileen Giesbrecht, Edmonton's city clerk and an officer with Edmonton Elections, outlined the timeline for those interested in running, as well as transparency rules around campaign finances. "Candidates are now able to campaign over a broader period of time, and one of the conditions within the Local Authorities Election Act is an annual disclosure," Giesbrecht said during a virtual information session. Edmonton Elections, a nonpartisan group within the office of the city clerk, organizes and carries out elections for the City of Edmonton, as well as trustee positions with the Edmonton Public School Board and Edmonton Catholic School Division. The official campaign period for this year's election started last October and will run through December. Edmontonians interested in becoming candidates must submit a written notice of intent before fundraising, accepting any campaign contributions or racking up any campaign expenses. This election's campaign period is longer, so mandidates will have to include a second campaign disclosure statement, Giesbrecht said. "Even if you didn't have any contributions, you didn't self finance anything, and you had no expenses, you still have an obligation as a candidate that submitted your notice of intent to run," she said. If a notice of intent was filed in 2024, candidates will be required to submit their first disclosure by March 3. The second disclosure will be expected in 2026 for campaign contributions. Politcal parties will have until March 2026 to submit disclosure. Chris Heywood, a strategist with Edmonton Elections, also noted various stipulations regarding what kinds of donations can be accepted. "Candidates must not ask for, or accept, contributions that were submitted anonymously," Heywood said. "The same goes for accepting contributions made by an ineligible contributor, or contributions that will cause that contributor to exceed their personal limit, or [that] are being made with funds not belonging to the contributor." Candidates must also maintain campaign finance accounts and records separately and issue receipts for every contribution received. People running can self-fiance their campaigns up to $10,000, but Edmontonians can only donate $5,000 to all candidates and registered parties in a municipality. Corporations, trade unions or employee organizations can donate $5,000 to candidates per campaign period, along with $5,000 donations to registered political parties. Donors cannot combine balances to increase contribution limits to political parties, a City of Edmonton spokesperson told CBC News. Expense limits for civic election candidates and political parties range from $40,000 to more than $1 million. There are no expense limits for school board trustee candidates or political parties in trustee elections. The municipal election is on Oct. 20.
