Jason Tchir - Page 3 - The Globe and Mail

Jason Tchir

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Area of Expertise

Automotive

Jason is a columnist and car critic for the Globe and Mail's Drive section. He focuses on green mobility, road safety and trends in transportation. Previously, he wrote for the CBC and The Toronto Sun.

Latest articles

October 5, 2025

Bathurst St., just south of St. Clair Ave., in Toronto is a 40 kilometre-an-hour zone. Research shows a pedestrian has a 29 per cent chance of dying when hit by a car travelling at 50 kilometres an hour and 10 per cent at 37 kilometres an hour.

Bathurst St., just south of St. Clair Ave., in Toronto is a 40 kilometre-an-hour zone. Research shows a pedestrian has a 29 per cent chance of dying when hit by a car travelling at 50 kilometres an hour and 10 per cent at 37 kilometres an hour.

A 40 km/h speed limit is safer, but does it make sense on a busy road?

6 min read

September 28, 2025

Vehicles pass a sign advising drivers of an upcoming speed camera in Toronto, on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan

Vehicles pass a sign advising drivers of an upcoming speed camera in Toronto, on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan

I got a $93 speed camera ticket for going 14 km/h over the limit. How did they come up with that fine?

5 min read

September 21, 2025

A speed camera installed on Horner Ave. facing west outside Sir Adam Beck Junior School, and Alderwood Action Child Care, in Toronto, is photographed on Feb 3 2020.

A speed camera installed on Horner Ave. facing west outside Sir Adam Beck Junior School, and Alderwood Action Child Care, in Toronto, is photographed on Feb 3 2020.

How much over the speed limit can I go before getting a photo radar ticket?

5 min read

September 14, 2025

A red-light camera at Bathurst St. and Nina St. in Toronto. If the light turns red after you have already entered the intersection, you won't get a ticket.

A red-light camera at Bathurst St. and Nina St. in Toronto. If the light turns red after you have already entered the intersection, you won't get a ticket.

If the light turns red while I’m waiting in the intersection to turn left, could I get a red-light-camera ticket?

4 min read

September 7, 2025

rear view of classical motorcycle pair of exhaust chrome pipes selective focus

rear view of classical motorcycle pair of exhaust chrome pipes selective focus

Why are some motorcycles obnoxiously loud? Aren’t there laws against this?

4 min read

August 31, 2025

The off ramp at Avenue Rd. from Highway 401 in Toronto.

The off ramp at Avenue Rd. from Highway 401 in Toronto.

Can I turn right from the middle lane while the light is red?

3 min read

August 24, 2025

Transit sign photographed for Toronto Weekend article, Toronto March 21 2013. Photo by: Fernando Morales/The Globe and Mail.

Transit sign photographed for Toronto Weekend article, Toronto March 21 2013. Photo by: Fernando Morales/The Globe and Mail.

My GPS often yells at me to make a U-turn. When can’t I legally make one?

3 min read

August 17, 2025

A construction area along the College Street in the Little Italy area for the Toronto Transit Commision streetcar lines in Toronto.
Photo By Deborah Baic
28/02/04

A construction area along the College Street in the Little Italy area for the Toronto Transit Commision streetcar lines in Toronto.
Photo By Deborah Baic
28/02/04

Why are construction signs orange and not a flashier colour?

3 min read

August 10, 2025

Cars accelerate off the line as the light turns green at the corner of Bathurst St. and St. Clair Ave. in Toronto. Police say even if drivers aren't speeding, they can still face charges if they accelerate too quickly.

Cars accelerate off the line as the light turns green at the corner of Bathurst St. and St. Clair Ave. in Toronto. Police say even if drivers aren't speeding, they can still face charges if they accelerate too quickly.

Is it legal to floor it at a green light as long as I’m not speeding?

3 min read

August 7, 2025

Mercedes-Benz Vision V

Mercedes-Benz Vision V

Not your parent’s Caravan: Mercedes EV concept is a VIP lounge on wheels but don’t call it a van

3 min read

August 6, 2025

Car crash on major highway during rainfall at night. Ambulance in foreground and police car in background.

Car crash on major highway during rainfall at night. Ambulance in foreground and police car in background.

To improve road safety, the U.S. should be more like Canada

3 min read

August 3, 2025

A pedestrian walks through a Toronto neighbourhood with no sidewalks on Aug. 1, 2025. It is the law everywhere in Canada that when there is no sidewalk pedestrians must walk facing oncoming traffic and stay as close to the left edge of the road as possible.

A pedestrian walks through a Toronto neighbourhood with no sidewalks on Aug. 1, 2025. It is the law everywhere in Canada that when there is no sidewalk pedestrians must walk facing oncoming traffic and stay as close to the left edge of the road as possible.

When there’s no sidewalk, should I walk facing traffic?

4 min read

July 27, 2025

Man pressing the horn while driving a car through the road

Man pressing the horn while driving a car through the road

Are there laws against angry honking?

5 min read

July 23, 2025

Cars turn left from Bathurst St. to St. Clair Avenue during an advanced green light. Experts say a ban on left turns would help get twice as many cars through an intersection in the same amount of time.

Cars turn left from Bathurst St. to St. Clair Avenue during an advanced green light. Experts say a ban on left turns would help get twice as many cars through an intersection in the same amount of time.

Banning left turns could help you get to work faster, studies show

5 min read

July 20, 2025

Multiethnic couple walking through a car dealership, happily selecting their new electric vehicle while enjoying the modern showroom experience

Multiethnic couple walking through a car dealership, happily selecting their new electric vehicle while enjoying the modern showroom experience

We want an EV. Is it better to buy or lease?

4 min read

July 13, 2025

School buses are parked in a driveway in a residential neighbourhood in Toronto, which is banned by a city by-law.

School buses are parked in a driveway in a residential neighbourhood in Toronto, which is banned by a city by-law.

Can my neighbour park school buses in her driveway?

3 min read

July 6, 2025

Agent man presentation and consulting car insurance detail to customer and waiting for his reply to finish.

Agent man presentation and consulting car insurance detail to customer and waiting for his reply to finish.

What’s new vehicle protection insurance and do I need it for five years if I have a two-year lease?

5 min read

June 29, 2025

Mennonites in horse drawn carriages are a popular sight in the Waterloo region.

Mennonites in horse drawn carriages are a popular sight in the Waterloo region.

What should I do when there’s a horse-drawn vehicle on the road?

5 min read

June 24, 2025

The electric CLA will come in two versions with the AWD version having 349 horsepower.

The electric CLA will come in two versions with the AWD version having 349 horsepower.

Mercedes moves away from siloed EQ class for new electric and hybrid CLA as automaker delays goals

4 min read

June 22, 2025

Barefoot driving

Barefoot driving

Is it legal and safe to drive barefoot?

3 min read