Woman Starts Petition to Improve Highway 17 Following Her Mother’s Death

Two months after losing her mother in a deadly collision near Cobden, Ontario, Mallory Brinton is urging the provincial government to introduce stronger Highway 17 safety improvements.

Brinton’s mother, 62-year-old Brenda Aubin, died on May 27 after attempting to pass two large transport trucks. Aubin entered the passing lane and struck a third truck that had stopped in the same lane while waiting to make a left-hand turn.

Since the collision, Brinton has launched a campaign calling for changes that could help prevent similar tragedies.

Daughter Remembers Her Mother’s Positive Nature

Brinton described her mother as caring, encouraging and consistently positive. She said Aubin was known for lifting the spirits of those around her and had a memorable laugh.

Living without her mother has been extremely difficult, but Brinton hopes the tragedy can lead to meaningful safety improvements for other families.

Seven Deaths Reported Along Highway 17

Ontario Provincial Police have reported seven fatalities over the past seven months on the section of Highway 17 between Arnprior and Mattawa.

The most recent fatal collision occurred on July 17.

Brinton said each additional death has been painful because she now understands the devastating loss experienced by the other affected families. Her campaign, she explained, is no longer only about her mother but also about preventing further deaths along the route.

Minor Highway Changes Already Introduced

Some small changes have been made near the location of Aubin’s collision since Brinton began raising concerns.

Turning arrows have been painted on part of the highway, while a missing turning sign has also been replaced. However, Brinton believes wider and more consistent safety measures are still required.

She has created a petition asking Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation to:

• Install warning signs informing motorists that vehicles may turn left from passing lanes.
• Paint additional left-turn arrows within the affected lanes.
• Conduct a full safety review of the area where the fatal collision occurred.

Brinton said her mother was an experienced and careful motorist who had previously worked as a school bus driver for approximately 10 years. She believes the circumstances show that a similar crash could happen to almost any driver.

Campaign Seeks Positive Change From Tragedy

Brinton believes her mother would have wanted her death to serve as a lesson that encourages safer driving and protects others.

She met Billy Denault, the Progressive Conservative MPP for Renfrew–Nipissing–Pembroke, on Friday. Brinton described the discussion as productive.

In the future, she hopes to speak with schoolchildren about her family’s experience. Her goal is to raise awareness among young people before they become drivers and encourage greater caution on the road.

Calls Continue to Twin Highway 17

Brinton would ultimately like Highway 17 to be twinned, a proposal also supported by Town of Renfrew Reeve Peter Emon.

Emon said he has participated in discussions about improving the highway for approximately 16 years. He expressed disappointment over how slowly the transportation ministry has delivered results.

Although Emon said he has always driven cautiously on Highway 17, he believes more extensive infrastructure improvements are necessary to make the route safer.

Province Plans 22.5-Kilometre Highway Expansion

In February, the Ontario government announced plans to twin 22.5 kilometres of Highway 17 between Arnprior and Renfrew.

Ric Bresee, parliamentary assistant to the minister of transportation, said the project would reduce congestion, support economic development and improve driver safety. However, motorists were also warned that construction was not expected to begin in the immediate future.

Emon welcomed the planned work but said he hopes the province eventually expands more sections of Highway 17, which extends westward to the Manitoba border.

He said the planned 22.5-kilometre project is necessary, but further improvements will be required to address safety concerns across the broader highway corridor.

The Ministry of Transportation had not responded by the publication deadline, while Denault’s office declined an interview request.

Mallory Brinton’s campaign highlights growing concerns about safety on Highway 17 following seven deaths within seven months.

While minor road markings and signage have been improved, she is calling for clearer warnings, additional turning arrows, a formal safety review and the eventual twinning of the highway.

Brinton hopes her mother’s death can lead to changes that protect motorists and prevent other families from experiencing a similar loss.