Tabaka v. Greyhound Lines of Canada Ltd. et al., (1999) 252 A.R. 373 (QB)

• Judge: Binder, J.
• Court: Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta (Canada)
• Case Date: November 08, 1999
• Citations: (1999), 252 A.R. 373 (QB)

Tabaka v. Greyhound (1999), 252 A.R. 373 (QB)

MLB headnote and full text

Temp. Cite: [1999] A.R. TBEd. DE.055

Andrea Tabaka (plaintiff) v. Greyhound Lines of Canada Ltd. and Seve Howitt (defendants)

(Action No. 9603-04309)

Indexed As: Tabaka v. Greyhound Lines of Canada Ltd. et al.

Alberta Court of Queen's Bench

Judicial District of Edmonton

Binder, J.

November 23, 1999.

Summary:

A passenger brought an action in negli­gence against a bus line and driver after the bus collided with moose on the highway.

The Alberta Court of Queen's Bench dis­missed the action.

Torts - Topic 253

Negligence - Animals - On highways - [See Torts - Topic 396 ].

Torts - Topic 396

Negligence - Motor vehicle - Standard of care of driver - Of bus driver - A passen­ger brought an action in negligence against a bus line and driver after the bus collided with moose on the highway - The posted speed on the highway was 90 kph - The suggested night time speed was 80 kph - Several other signs warned of wildlife - The road conditions and visibility were good - The Alberta Court of Queen's Bench held that the passenger failed to establish that the bus driver was negligent - There was not a higher duty of care on a professional bus driver and the driver was not negligent for not driving at the sug­gested speed instead of the posted speed - Speed was only one factor and all factors must be taken into consideration in deter­mining negligence.

Torts - Topic 464

Negligence - Motor vehicle - Speed - Where reduced speed required - Pedes­trians and animals - [See Torts - Topic 396 ].

Cases Noticed:

Birk v. Dhaliwal (1995), 65 B.C.A.C. 311; 106 W.A.C. 311; 13 B.C.L.R.(3d) 291 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 7].

Curbello v. Thompson et al. (1967), 61 W.W.R.(N.S.) 321 (B.C.C.A.), revd. [1968] S.C.R. 626, refd to. [para. 7].

McCafferty v. VanPraet (1972), 35 D.L.R.(3d) 323 (Ont. Co. Ct.), refd to. [para. 7].

Hulshof v. Murphy et al. (1986), 74 N.S.R.(2d) 6; 180 A.P.R. 6 (S.C.), affd. 77 N.S.R.(2d) 332; 191 A.P.R. 332 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 7].

Athey v. Leonati et al., [1996] 3 S.C.R. 458; 203 N.R. 36; 81 B.C.A.C. 243; 132 W.A.C. 243, refd to. [para. 7].

Hartman v. Fisette (1976), 8 N.R. 301; 66 D.L.R.(3d) 516 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 8].

Favel v. Large (1988), 86 A.R. 75 (Q.B.), revd. (1989), 97 A.R. 57; 67 Alta. L.R.(2d) 155 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 8].

Parsons v. Random Services Ltd. (1986), 60 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 73; 181 A.P.R. 73 (Nfld. C.A.), refd to. [para. 8].

Maksymetz v. Plamondon, [1988] 5 W.W.R. 281; 64 Man.R.(2d) 212 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 8].

Cooper et al. v. Matteotti et al. (1967), 66 D.L.R.(2d) 338 (Alta. S.C.), refd to. [para. 8].

Hogan et al. v. McEwan et al. (1975), 64 D.L.R.(3d) 37 (Ont. H.C.), refd to. [para. 8].

McCannell v. McLean, [1937] 2 D.L.R. 639 (Ont. C.A.), affd. [1937] 2 DL.R. 639 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 9].

Counsel:

P. Darryl Wilson, for the plaintiff;

Joe D. Spelliscy, for the defendant.

This case was heard on November 8, 1999, before Binder, J., of the Alberta Court of Queens Bench, Judicial District of Edmon­ton, who delivered the following judgment on November 23, 1999.