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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

December 22, 2024

Vehicles heading north on the Don Valley Parkway, seen from Wynford Drive during the start of the afternoon rush are photographed on Oct 15 2024.(Fred Lum/The Globe and Mail)

Vehicles heading north on the Don Valley Parkway, seen from Wynford Drive during the start of the afternoon rush are photographed on Oct 15 2024.(Fred Lum/The Globe and Mail)

Is this the worst time of the year for impaired driving?

5 min read

December 15, 2024

The Don Valley Parkway in Toronto was closed midday after a winter storm dropped between 40 and 60 cm of snow overnight and into Monday.
January 17, 2022
(Melissa Tait / The Globe and Mail)

The Don Valley Parkway in Toronto was closed midday after a winter storm dropped between 40 and 60 cm of snow overnight and into Monday.
January 17, 2022
(Melissa Tait / The Globe and Mail)

If I rent a car in Saskatchewan, will it have winter tires?

5 min read

December 8, 2024

FILE PHOTO: Unused rental cars fill the Dodger Stadium parking lot as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., April 7, 2020. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo

FILE PHOTO: Unused rental cars fill the Dodger Stadium parking lot as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., April 7, 2020. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo

When can I skip the pricey insurance at the rental car counter?

5 min read

December 1, 2024

Car on a street covered with big thick snow layer after heavy snowfall. Extreme blizzard aftermath. Vehicle windshield with frozen window and wipers.

Car on a street covered with big thick snow layer after heavy snowfall. Extreme blizzard aftermath. Vehicle windshield with frozen window and wipers.

Is it legal to drive without clearing the snow off your car?

5 min read

November 24, 2024

A Canada Border Services Agency officer reaches for documents as a motorist stops at a primary inspection booth at a border crossing in Surrey, B.C., Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

A Canada Border Services Agency officer reaches for documents as a motorist stops at a primary inspection booth at a border crossing in Surrey, B.C., Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

I’m an American moving to Canada. Do I have to pay duty on my car?

4 min read

November 17, 2024

The only “opportunistic” Level-2 recharge encountered along the way was at a bourbon distillery near Loretto, Ky.

The only “opportunistic” Level-2 recharge encountered along the way was at a bourbon distillery near Loretto, Ky.

Interest in PHEVs is growing. We answer your questions about the hybrids that can be driven like EVs

5 min read

November 10, 2024

A delivery driver on a scooter drives along the Spadina Ave. bike lane in Toronto on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024. Yader Guzman/The Globe and Mail

A delivery driver on a scooter drives along the Spadina Ave. bike lane in Toronto on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024. Yader Guzman/The Globe and Mail

An e-bike rider hit my car. Will my insurance cover the damage?

5 min read

November 3, 2024

Yorie Miho tries out the automatic emergency braking system in a Daihatsu minicar at a minicar dealership in Yamato, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan August 11, 2018. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/Files

Yorie Miho tries out the automatic emergency braking system in a Daihatsu minicar at a minicar dealership in Yamato, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan August 11, 2018. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/Files

Should I trust the automatic emergency braking on my new car?

5 min read

October 27, 2024

Portland is one the most bike friendly cities in America.
Bike lane art. Portland has a web of neighborhood greenways to support bike riding and Portland as a sustainable destination.

CREDIT
Justin Katigbak, Travel Portland

Portland is one the most bike friendly cities in America.
Bike lane art. Portland has a web of neighborhood greenways to support bike riding and Portland as a sustainable destination.

CREDIT
Justin Katigbak, Travel Portland

Can I drop off passengers next to a bike lane?

4 min read

October 20, 2024

“Kids can come to us being very nervous and barely knowing how to pedal and then, by the end of the week, they’ve got their training wheels off and they’ve learned to ride,” says Claudia Sjoberg, president of Pedalheads, a company that offers bike-riding lessons.

“Kids can come to us being very nervous and barely knowing how to pedal and then, by the end of the week, they’ve got their training wheels off and they’ve learned to ride,” says Claudia Sjoberg, president of Pedalheads, a company that offers bike-riding lessons.

Could a child get a ticket for biking on the wrong side of the road?

4 min read

October 13, 2024

Shot of a young driver talking to a traffic policeman

Shot of a young driver talking to a traffic policeman

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

4 min read

October 11, 2024

The hydrogen-powered 2022 Toyota Mirai on sale at Lévis Toyota in Quebec.

The hydrogen-powered 2022 Toyota Mirai on sale at Lévis Toyota in Quebec.

Short-sighted stumble or smart strategy? Toyota’s hybrid bet paying off in Canada

6 min read

October 6, 2024

An electric vehicle charger is seen plugged into an electric vehicle in an Ottawa, Ont. parking garage on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. Spencer Colby/The Globe and Mail

An electric vehicle charger is seen plugged into an electric vehicle in an Ottawa, Ont. parking garage on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. Spencer Colby/The Globe and Mail

How do tailpipe emissions compare between PHEVs and gas-powered cars?

5 min read

September 29, 2024

A cyclist rides down a bike lane normally occupied by traffic on Danforth Avenue between Woodbine and Woodmount Avenues during an 8 80 Cities pop-up street makeover in Toronto, Ont. on Friday, August 23, 2019. 8 80 Streets Danforth is a project temporarily transforming this section of Danforth Ave to demonstrate the Vision Zero principles of safer street design that prioritizes vulnerable road users. (J.P. Moczulski/The Globe and Mail)

A cyclist rides down a bike lane normally occupied by traffic on Danforth Avenue between Woodbine and Woodmount Avenues during an 8 80 Cities pop-up street makeover in Toronto, Ont. on Friday, August 23, 2019. 8 80 Streets Danforth is a project temporarily transforming this section of Danforth Ave to demonstrate the Vision Zero principles of safer street design that prioritizes vulnerable road users. (J.P. Moczulski/The Globe and Mail)

Drivers are licensed, so why aren’t cyclists?

5 min read

September 23, 2024

The EX90 has dual 370-kilowatt electric motors.

The EX90 has dual 370-kilowatt electric motors.

Volvo’s EX90 won’t convert the masses to EVs, but it shows the luxury brand’s ambitions

7 min read

September 22, 2024

A digital sign with the message "Do Not Travel" sits on the median as motorists travel on the Sea-to-Sky highway between Horseshoe Bay and Lions Bay, B.C., Friday, April 23, 2021. Mounties in British Columbia say no cars were forced to turn around at a road block in place to ensure residents abide by travel restrictions in place due to COVID-19, as enforcement spreads over the weekend. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

A digital sign with the message "Do Not Travel" sits on the median as motorists travel on the Sea-to-Sky highway between Horseshoe Bay and Lions Bay, B.C., Friday, April 23, 2021. Mounties in British Columbia say no cars were forced to turn around at a road block in place to ensure residents abide by travel restrictions in place due to COVID-19, as enforcement spreads over the weekend. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Isn’t the left lane in B.C. only for passing?

3 min read

September 15, 2024

Red and blue lights of police car in night time, crime scene. Night patrolling the city. Abstract blurry image.

Red and blue lights of police car in night time, crime scene. Night patrolling the city. Abstract blurry image.

Could I get pulled over if a passenger puts their feet on the dash?

4 min read

September 8, 2024

A speed limit sign in Canada, sign states the maximum speed is 50 km/hr is that area.

A speed limit sign in Canada, sign states the maximum speed is 50 km/hr is that area.

Why don’t speed limits match the speed roads were designed to handle?

4 min read

September 1, 2024

The City of Toronto increased fines for more than 100 parking offences on Thursday, which it says is an effort to reduce congestion and support safer roads. Cyclists ride on the designated Bloor Street bike lanes in Toronto on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

The City of Toronto increased fines for more than 100 parking offences on Thursday, which it says is an effort to reduce congestion and support safer roads. Cyclists ride on the designated Bloor Street bike lanes in Toronto on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

When I go to make a right turn, cyclists pass me on the right. Is that legal?

5 min read

August 25, 2024

Part of Highway 401 in Toronto during the day showing the blur of traffic on the road
Driving Concerns

Part of Highway 401 in Toronto during the day showing the blur of traffic on the road
Driving Concerns

I keep getting passed on the right. Is that legal?

4 min read