May the biggest hole win

TORONTO — Ever wonder if one person’s opinion can really make a difference? It can.

Here’s proof: Every year, the Canadian Automobile Assocation (CAA) holds a worst-roads contest and in launching this year’s campaign the CAA proudly reports that 90 percent of the roads that were ID’d in previous years have either been fixed or are being repaired.

And as the CAA announces this year’s efforts, the emphasis will be on persuading municipalities to cough up money to fix their streets and roads.

“Other levels of government have listened to our members’ and the public’s votes, it’s now time for mayors, reeves and regional chairs to do their part and access the money that has been earmarked for infrastructure improvements,” says Faye Lyons, external affairs specialist for CAA South Central Ontario.

So it’s time to head to the holes, again; the pot holes, that is.

This year’s campaign has been extended to include not only roads but highways and bridges. After all, nobody wants to see this happen.

According to recently released research, bad roads can be as dangerous as drunk driving.

Ontarians are asked to vote for the worst road or bridge in their communities by logging onto www.caasco.com/worstroads between now and Sept. 30.

Ballots can also be cast at CAA Stores, CAA Car Care Centres, and in select CAA-approved garages or on Facebook.

(The worst-roads program is currently an Ontario-only project but other divisions of the CAA are considering implementing similar projects.)