A TTC Texting-While-Driving Snafu
A video of a TTC driver using a cell phone while driving a subway car popped up on YouTube on Friday, and continued to make waves all weekend long. The Toronto Transit Commission is investigating the video, which shows an employee driving at the front of the subway train, with a smartphone in hand.
Using a cell phone while operating a TTC vehicle is, in fact, illegal. You know, just like texting while driving. At the time of filming, the train was departing from Rosedale Station, heading to Bloor Station on the Yonge Street line. The Toronto Star reports that the TTC looked into over 70 cases of illegal cell phone use in the winter of 2011, punishing dozens of workers as a result.
TTC spokesperson Danny Nicholson told the CBC that the TTC is pursuing proper legal action against the driver. Oops?
Albertans Head to the Polls
Albertan voters will head to the polls today to select their new provincial government, and choose between two conservative female leaders.
After a 28-day campaign, the Wildrose party, composed of several disgruntled former Tories, raised $2.37-million, while the Progressive Conservatives only raked in $1.8-million. Founded in 2008, the Wildrose party is largely untested politically, but may in fact remove the long-standing Tory stronghold from the prairie province. Either way, stay tuned to the news tonight – this one might get interesting! Or not.
Google Execs and James Cameron Mine for Asteroids
Well, how about this one. After leaving Titanic with no stone unturned (literally – just ask Bill Paxton), legendary Avatar and True Lies director James Cameron, has teamed up with Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt and billionaire co-founder Larry Page to financially support a billion-dollar space exploration mission and natural resources venture.
More details about the space collaboration with company Planetary Resources will be unveiled at a news conference in Seattle on Tuesday.
The initial press release unveiled very little details, but the Wall Street Journal reported that the company will explore the “feasibility of mining natural resources from asteroids” which could add “trillions of dollars to the global GDP.” So, in other words, they’re looking for Unobtanium, but this time, they’re doing it without Giovanni Ribisi.
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Joanna Adams writes for Toronto Standard. Follow her on Twitter at†@nowstarringTO.
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