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Cyclists angered by Canadian politician's road safety interview...while driving through snowstorm

"We're just making sure people are safe in their cars," Ontario's head of government Doug Ford told CP24 from behind the wheel of his vehicle...

'Do as I say, not as I do' was the message some Canadian cyclists accused Premier Doug Ford of spreading after Ontario's head of government appeared on a TV news interview to talk about road safety, as he drove through a snowstorm.

Ontario and Quebec have been hit by major snowstorms, resulting in dangerous conditions on the area's road network, and leaving many stranded at home.

Ford is the premier of Ontario, meaning he heads the regional government for the province, and appeared on Toronto news station CP24 to provide guidance on how people could stay safe.

The problem? Premier Ford was speaking to the network while driving around the Toronto area, assisting drivers who had slid off the road.

"I'm just picking people up, checking on people," he explained while periodically glancing down to the call. "Cars are stuck all over the place. [I'm] Just making sure people are safe in their cars, and anything I can do to help them."

Interrupting his call, Ford then wound down the window, saying: "Here's another gentleman...I'm just going to make sure...Oh, that car's empty.

"I've dropped off a few people at their homes, and you just do what you have to do. Everyone's doing it — I'm no different."

Many pointed out the irony of the politician's road safety message coming directly from behind the wheel of a moving car.

Shortly after, a tweet from Ford's Twitter account telling drivers to "stay focused on the road" was hastily deleted.

 Ford came under heavy criticism from those angered about his behaviour, particularly considering some of the worst driving conditions seen in the area in recent times.

Dave Shellnut tweeted: "Ford Nation: 'Just making sure people are safe in their cars,' says premier while driving and watching a video of himself during our worst snowstorm yet."

Kris Pangilinan added: "You'd think the Premier would know some of the distracted driving laws..."

The reporter contacted Toronto Police but was told no complaint has been filed in regards to the incident and it is not being investigated at this time.

It is not the first time the Ford family name has angered cyclists. In 2010 it came to light that, Doug's brother Rob, and then front-running candidate to become Toronto's mayor had, in 2007, said: "Roads are built for buses, cars and trucks, not for people on bikes".

> Dead cyclists? It's their own fault according to Toronto mayoral candidate

In the same statement Rob Ford appeared to blame cycling deaths on those who ride bikes.

Meanwhile in 2012, pictures appeared of Rob reading papers while driving. In his defence the mayor said he reads when driving as, "I'm try[ing] to catch up on my work and you know I keep my eyes on the road, but I'm a busy man."

Dan is the road.cc news editor and has spent the past four years writing stories and features, as well as (hopefully) keeping you entertained on the live blog. Having previously written about nearly every other sport under the sun for the Express, and the weird and wonderful world of non-league football for the Non-League Paper, Dan joined road.cc in 2020. Come the weekend you'll find him labouring up a hill, probably with a mouth full of jelly babies, or making a bonk-induced trip to a south of England petrol station... in search of more jelly babies.

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21 comments

Avatar
mpdouglas | 2 years ago
4 likes

He's only doing what the likes of the BBC have normalised - making TV content while driving a vehicle. In Panorama last night, the BBC had the gall to suggest that there are only 4 reasons why our roads are more dangerous, whilst failing to recognise their own contribution through trivialising road safety in the interests of "comedic" content for the likes of Top Gear. But it doesn't stop there - mainstream TV like Countryfile, Antiques Road Trip etc, all routinely have the presenter driving, often on narrow country lanes whilst talking to camera. I often think  "what if I was cycling down that lane whilst they are filiming". It's not OK and needs to stop.

Avatar
leaway2 | 2 years ago
2 likes

Maybe he didn't stop as he was late for his office lock down drinks p̶a̶r̶t̶y̶ meeting.

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mdavidford | 2 years ago
1 like
Quote:

It is not the first time the Ford family name has angered cyclists.

No relation (as far as I know).

Avatar
OnYerBike replied to mdavidford | 2 years ago
0 likes
Avatar
mdavidford replied to OnYerBike | 2 years ago
0 likes
OnYerBike wrote:

Wikipedia says they are brothers.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug_Ford

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Ford

Neither of them any relation (as far as I know).

Avatar
Mybike replied to mdavidford | 2 years ago
0 likes

Yes they are brother i live in Ontario. We are also under lockdown because of Covid all are bar restaurant gym are closed

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Sniffer replied to mdavidford | 2 years ago
1 like
mdavidford wrote:
Quote:

It is not the first time the Ford family name has angered cyclists.

No relation (as far as I know).

I assume you are referring to the Ford's of the Ford Motor company? As in Henry?

Avatar
wycombewheeler replied to Sniffer | 2 years ago
1 like
Sniffer wrote:
mdavidford wrote:
Quote:

It is not the first time the Ford family name has angered cyclists.

No relation (as far as I know).

I assume you are referring to the Ford's of the Ford Motor company? As in Henry?

No, I think David Ford is denying any relationship he has to the canadian politicians.

Avatar
Awavey replied to Sniffer | 2 years ago
2 likes

whereas Id have simply assumed mdavidFORD meant something a bit different there. or am I just missing the joke here

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Sniffer replied to Awavey | 2 years ago
1 like
Awavey wrote:

whereas Id have simply assumed mdavidFORD meant something a bit different there. or am I just missing the joke here

Doh

Avatar
Captain Badger | 2 years ago
2 likes
Quote:

Canadian politician's road safety interview

This nobber isn't just holding a conversation on a mobile - the way he constantly checks the screen (positioned somewhere near the gear stick) reveals he's actually on a video call.

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the little onion | 2 years ago
3 likes

Rob Ford was also into crack, so I would see his views on cyclists in that light

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brooksby replied to the little onion | 2 years ago
0 likes

I thought he was That Guy.

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Wolfcastle50 replied to brooksby | 2 years ago
2 likes

They're brothers.

Ontario is lovely but they don't half elect cock wombles.

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hawkinspeter replied to Wolfcastle50 | 2 years ago
3 likes
Wolfcastle50 wrote:

Ontario is lovely but they don't half elect cock wombles.

We may be guilty of that too

Avatar
Captain Badger replied to hawkinspeter | 2 years ago
1 like
hawkinspeter wrote:
Wolfcastle50 wrote:

Ontario is lovely but they don't half elect cock wombles.

We may be guilty of that too

What of, being lovely? 

Avatar
wycombewheeler replied to Wolfcastle50 | 2 years ago
2 likes
Wolfcastle50 wrote:

They're brothers.

Ontario is lovely but they don't half elect cock wombles.

Can't throw any stones on this matter. As my MP is Steve Baker, and we all know who the prime minister is. 

Avatar
hawkinspeter replied to the little onion | 2 years ago
1 like
the little onion wrote:

Rob Ford was also into crack, so I would see his views on cyclists in that light

You can't just make stuff up about dead people!

Oh wait, just seen this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Rob_Ford_video_scandal

Avatar
Captain Badger replied to hawkinspeter | 2 years ago
2 likes
hawkinspeter wrote:

...

You can't just make stuff up about dead people!

....

On the contrary, they're probably the easiest people to make stuff up about.....

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hawkinspeter replied to Captain Badger | 2 years ago
4 likes
Captain Badger wrote:

On the contrary, they're probably the easiest people to make stuff up about.....

Avatar
wycombewheeler replied to hawkinspeter | 2 years ago
2 likes

This is the funniest thing I have seen for a long time, thanks for sharing.

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