Here's how the logic goes: Under the "Smoke-Free Ontario Act," "no person shall smoke tobacco or hold lighted tobacco in any enclosed public place or enclosed workplace." The health unit's tobacco program manager considers the interior of vehicles, privately owned or otherwise, a part of those enclosed workplaces. The Ontario police pulled over a 48-year-old London driver for smoking in his truck and fined him 305 loonies for it, and truckers across Canada heard all about it. Strictly interpreted, the police were in the right, however, it brings into question certain aspects of private property, especially when the truck is owned by the driver. These guys do often live in their trucks for extended periods, so is it a living space or a workplace? Despite the fine, we're betting those truckers won't be changing their ways any time soon. [Autos Canada]

Click next to see our ten favorite international drives from the list, in no particular order. For the rest of the Drives of a Lifetime check out the full National Geographic list.

Photo Credit: Kloppster

Country: Italy
Where: Amalfi Coast
Why: Beautiful coastline, towering bluffs, and bella donnas make this one of the best drives along the Mediterranean.

Photo Credit: artemanuele

Country: Canada
Where: Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia
Why: This 185-mile loop around part of the island shows off a verdant, unmarred coast filled with wildlife and blessed with cool climate year-round.

Photo Credit: Jim Dollar

Country: England
Where: The Cornwall Coast
Why: Celtic ruins, narrow roads, crashing waves, and the odd Cornish beauty conspire to make this one of the best drives in Western Europe.

Photo Credit: Cosygreeneyes

Country: Netherlands
Where: Bollenstreek Route
Why: The Bollenstreek Route, a.k.a. The Flower Route, gets its name from the miles of road cutting a path through acres and acres of tulip fields. Explosions of color fill the eye, making this a perfect spring journey.

Photo Credit:

Country: Canada
Where: Manitoba Prairies
Why: Not for the agoraphobic, this seemingly endless expanse of farmland and prairie opens the mind and evokes the spirit of life before the Internet.

Photo Credit: GarySimmons

Country: United States
Where: Hana Highway, Hawaii
Why: Gorgeous black-sand beaches, tropical greenery, and water everywhere — this is why people cross thousands of miles of empty Pacific to visit a spec of volcanic rock. Nearly 600 curves and 59 bridges don't hurt either.

Photo Credit:

Country: France
Where: Provence
Why: Ever dream of crossing a quiet countryside in a Citroen SM, then pulling into a little bistro for a glass of the local vintner's craft in the company of a stunning brunette mademoiselle? You were picturing Provence.

Photo Credit: Doozzle

Country: Jamaica
Where: The Pirate Route (Port Royal to Kingston)
Why: The island nation is small enough to cross in a day, and in crossing it you'll see beautiful coastline, small hillside villages, and the City of Kingston.

Photo Credit: Teepi

Country: New Zealand
Where: Lord of the Rings Route, North Island
Why: Whether you're a fan of the movie trilogy or not, New Zealand feels like Middle Earth. And to quote Flight Of The Conchords: "New Zealand: Rocks!!!"

Photo Credit: Man's Pic

Country: Canada
Where: Montreal, Area Loop Drive
Why: They can't all be coastlines, can they? From the urban heart of Montreal outwards toward wine country, this is a varied drive so wonderful Alfa Romeo named a car after it.

Photo Credit: Vox Photo

This Escort gets some truly righteous air, and the scary backyard suspension mods plus the bumpy-ass dirt road leading to the jump makes that accomplishment all the more impressive. We've seen the work of the legendary Dave before, but this seems to be the best jump yet. Enjoy:

We'll let Red Bull Air Race commenter, Nick Fellows and former Air Race pilot, Steve Jones explain the course and the obstacles the daring Red Bull pilots will face this year.

Image credit: Flickr [via Red Bull]

But if you're building Ford Festivas, you don't need to put in a steel-grate floor in the brake-test area so as to avoid tides of brake fluid ruining your inspectors' steel-toes, as The General was forced to do in Van Nuys. Brakes don't matter! In fact, engine function doesn't even matter. The only thing the Festiva needs to do is be happy! But woe be unto the little Ford that remains as dour as a Camry when its turn comes, because it will never live to become a 24 Hours Of LeMons racer. Thanks to Bubs for the tip!

We're big fans of the Honda Civic 4WD Wagon because of its useful size and "real time" four-wheel drive system, which didn't necessitate a manual selector. While we can't be sure his claim of this being a "chick magnet" is truly correct by American standards, we hear anything goes above the border.

BC's BEST BEATER: 1988 Honda Civic Wagon 4WD - just keeps goin' !! - $500 (Downtown Vancouver (English Bay))

SPECS: 4 cylinder, 6-speed manual transmission, lots of KM, runs, turns, stops. Aircared. Anti-Theft & Keyless Entry Systems. Cheap. Plus, it's a 4 by fucking 4! What more could you want?

DETAILS: OK, this ain't gonna win the shine & show, but it's as functional as a car comes.

It's a 4 cylinder, so it's great on gas, and it has 4WD that works like no other. Seriously, this was the only car to get through the Coquihalla during a snow storm last past March Break, ahead of a 5 km long line of F350's, Land Rovers, Pathfinders, etc. It's also long enough to sleep in if you ever need to.

On the downside, if you're into aesthetics, well, it's ugly. It's got rust around the wheel wells and other random spots. At least it's painted sort of a dirt and rust-matching brown.

The chasis is solid though. The front tires need to be replaced for most sane drivers/passengers to feel safe. Used ones run around $100 for two. And the trunk is really F'd - it won't lock and one of the two hinges sheared off (after trying to slam it shut into the broken lock), so the sheared side is held on by a climbing rope (included). Some of the passenger door locks also have a mind of their own, which keeps it fun for everyone, and with the trunk permanently open, you'll have no problem getting in. Perfect for those who sometimes lock their keys in the car. No one has ever tried to steal this one.

It's got over 250K on it, but just keeps going. Sorry, but if you ask about exact mileage, I can't sell it to you. That's just too stupid a question. The thing is over 20 years old. It runs, it turns, and it stops. It even has headlights that shine bright. Plus, it has a newish radiator, new muffler, and an AM/FM stereo that plays CD's. You want low miles? Try walking. This car MOVES!

If you're green, you won't feel like a sell-out burning fossil fuels in this old-growth, definitely re-used, fuel-efficient car. Plus, it's Air Cared. It always smashes the Air Car test. Do you know how many green house gases are emitted in the production of a new car? At least as much as keeping this one on the road 20 more years.

And for the Type-A drivers out there, this car exudes a certain "MOVE IT" kind of attitude that's perfect for bumper-to-bumper traffic. "You want to tangle with me? Your deductible is more than the value of my car, so you might want to get the @#$%! out of my way". It really works.

And for those from Surrey, this car totally screams CHICK MAGNET! (or, "don't shoot! If I could afford drugs, you think I'd be driving this?")

Own it for $500.

Those pics are great.

[Craigslist]

The story of J.D. Fortune, singer/songwriter, starts with him as a budding star living underneath a bridge in his unidentified pickup truck. He applied for a spot on Rock Star: INXS, got on, and won. Though not a critical success, the band certainly seemed to be getting more attention than they deserved so the reasons for firing him in a Hong Kong airport are unclear. Either way, his life has taken an un-fortunate turn and he's back to living in a truck or on assorted couches across the greater Toronto area. This is all probably a stunt to bring attention to his upcoming solo release, but we'll credit him for living in a cold truck cab in a particularly harsh winter.

What is it with Canadian reality stars and their cars anyway?

[News.Com.Au]

Sex sells and no one has more meaningless sex than college students, meaning Mazda Canada is spot on with this somewhat cheeky advertisement for their graduate reward program. As with many car companies, Mazda offers $500 off for any recent college graduates.

In this ad, they're trying to raise sales by raising some eyebrows be essentially rewarding grads for "making poutine" if you know what we mean. If only they could somehow incorporate the other frequent extracurricular college activity into their marketing.

It's not a particularly well-designed advertisement, though we credit them for engaging copy. If our college experience was any guide, co-ed sex is all about the Zoom-Zoom.

[BestAdsOnTv via Ads Of The World]

Oh, Canada. You're just like America's little brother that tries to imitate what he sees but fails in just about every way. Five British Columbian engineering students were arrested this past Monday as they tried to dangle a vintage VW Beetle shell over the side of the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge in Vancouver. Their rope-and-pulley system failed mid-stunt and the Beetle went crashing into the water below.

Bruce Dunwoody, the Engineering Dean from the offending university, said, "the whole escapade is an embarrassment and the fact they failed doesn't make it any better." Dunwoody continued by saying he doesn't approve of this behavior and he's disappointed they were caught with their hands colored red. He doesn't believe this prank earned them any favor within certain engineering centers, which is the assumed goal behind this failed effort. The students were dishonorably dragged away from the crime scene in handcuffs while the arresting officers found it quite humorous.

The students are rumored to be planning on giving it another go, but nothing is confirmed. They would've been better off fiddling with traffic signs, but it seems the American public has beat them to that, too.

Better luck next time, kiddo. Thanks to Mark for the tip!

[Autonorth Canada]

The article about Suzie McNeil's Prius, which appears in today's Globe And Mail, is proof a slow news day in Canada is a million times worse than one south of the St. Lawrence. It's literally about how she drives a 2006 Prius and "pimped it out" by tinting the windows. Here are some gems:

"It says I'm concerned about the environment and also I am interested in thinking outside the box and trying new things that will help us," says McNeil, who was nominated for a Juno and a Canadian Radio Music award in 2008.

[...]

"When you stop and start, it uses the battery so that just compounds and doing that enough times you just save that much energy and money. I didn't even know that when I bought it; I was, like, do you plug it in?"

The one car she might trade for the Prius? A Volkswagen Beetle convertible. Seriously? When you're on the B-list in America at least you get a hydrogen BMW or a hybrid Lexus. Apparently, a Prius is a noteworthy and expensive car (for Canada).

Oh, Canada. McNeil also brags about being pulled over by two young cops and getting a phone number, which has less to do with the car and more to do with her being attractive (for Canada). Thanks to Mark for the tip!

[Globe And Mail Auto, Photo Credit: Fred Lum/The Globe and Mail]

These surplus Challengers (plus Chargers and other assorted LX-platformed Mopars) are waiting at the Downsview Canadian Forces Base for the day they're special ordered by some petrol-head born without the concept of frugality or environmental compassion after trading in his dear El Camino or saucy Lincoln.

Wait, back up a moment: Canada has a military? All we can picture is a runway full of moose and a bunker packed with toques. Well, actually, we're still under the assumption they've got Weapon X stashed somewhere in an underground bunker.

Apparently, even the muscle car wars can't shield the Dodge Challenger, built in Brampton, Ontario, from the horrors of the Carpocalypse. (Hat tip to 1000songs!)

A slight PSA regarding the presentation of these photos: It's unfortunate the original photographer found the filters menu in his Photoshop. Really unfortunate. In the words of internet celebrity Maddox, it is unfortunate as "finding out you got rejected from community college, then finding out that your alcoholic father got arrested for domestic abuse, you lost all your life savings in a Ponzi scheme, and all of this happens to you while you're on the space shuttle Challenger. Then you wake up and it's all a bad dream, except you realize that you're at work without clothes on, and work is NASA and you're really on the space shuttle Challenger." Basically, friends don't let friends use filters.

Calgary drivers
Date: 2008-12-04, 4:12PM MST
I have had it with Calgarians who, in their own horseshoe mustache wearing, 90210 sideburn pomping, drivers seat slouching, wifebeater shirt wearing style think they have more superior driving skills than the average hick. Here are a couple of examples of a typical driving experience on any given day in cowtown:

The Substitute

Car manufacturers install a small stem with arrows displayed on it located on the left hand side of a steering wheel for one reason. Unfortunately, a large percentage of you don't have the common sense that a Class 5 gave you (if you have the education to have one) to understand what it is for, hence you don't use it. Pull stem down for left, push up for right, not pull wheel to right and left depending on where the closest hockey game is playing. There is nothing more annoying than having Joe Stampede in front of you weaving in and out of lanes without signaling, simply because he is wasting precious hockey time getting to the nearest pub to tell his friends how much he knows about the size differential between Kipper and Iggys dick.

The Nascar

Just because you went to Canadian Tire, blew your cheque on a $100 performance exhaust and a cheap fuel filter to replace those already rusted onto your 1994 Honda Civic and to make your dick feel larger, doesn’t mean that your car is Nascar worthy or that anyone will mistake you for Mario. It’s pathetic when I see gunners blowing rust up a main road, weaving in and out of traffic just so they can meet their friends waiting at a McDonalds parking lot to tell them how many people they blew away. It is amusing when you think someone actually went through the trouble of replacing his exhaust for 30 extra horsepower, half that if there is rust, foolish enough to think that the lawnmower/bee sound is going to impress those around them. Those exhausts will even be more laughable in about 5 years, about as cool as we thought having an Alpine tape deck was 15 years ago. A word of advice: Buy a real car without having to decorate the piece of shit you already have.

The Communicator

It has been 25 years since it was first introduced, but Calgarians and everyone else in the world still think it is the cats meow to be seen on a cell phone. They will risk their life trying to maneuver their vehicle on the road while using it, walk through any public area in an otherwise private conversation using it, and sooner or later they will be able to swim with one so everyone around can see how “uber-cool” you really are. Bluetooth developed the technology for one reason: to get the phone off your ear. It is popular, but not so much for people who are still caught up in the 80’s in the fantasy that people might think you are on a tight agenda at 18 while shopping for a new pair of plastic earrings at Wal-Mart. They are the ones I see who are much too cool to have a wireless transmitter in their ear. I just hope someday that my cell phone will make me as awesome as they are and people will only then understand why I am driving all over the road, slumped in my seat while looking around to verify that people notice I am talking on the latest verge of communication technology from 25 years ago.

The Bumper Sticker

Driving mere inches away from my bumper is not going to make me go any faster. It may have worked for you last night when someone couldn’t see the impatient bastard behind them and pulled to the other lane to let you pass, but it will never work when you are on my watch. I am ahead of you for a reason, so suck it up or pull over and take a breather. If anything, I will be all the more eager to slowing down only to piss your ass off even more. I see you in my rear view, and waving your hands or dancing like it’s senior prom isn’t going to make me fear the choleric prick behind me that is you.

The Illuminator

High beam headlights are meant for improving visibility for the road ahead, generally for long distances to avoid animals which may wander into your path or when there is poor visibility due to weather. As important as you might think you are, especially with your new Xenon Halogen headlights blinding towards me on a main road, only reminds me of the little sense you have for using them on an otherwise clear night.

The Christopher Columbus

Sunday drives are great, as long as you have some idea where you are going. If you don’t, get a map. Wandering aimlessly, looking around for something you have no clue of finding is pointless. Unless you know the address, don’t leave home without one.

The Surveyor

So someone had a case of misfortune and caused an accident, but that doesn’t give you a right to assess the situation and make traffic even worse by slowing down. Looking at an accident isn’t going to help them, and there is no response team waiting up ahead for your two cents. Keep moving.

The Clown

If you never had enough time to put on all your makeup before you left, attempting to finish it on your way to your destination only tells me you have too much to hide, like consideration for the road for instance. If you don’t make it a habit to pee in your drivers seat, obviously your car isn’t a bathroom and you can wait to paint when you park.

The Messenger

Yelling at me through a closed window because your dick is too small or my car is everything yours will never be is not my problem. I am not a lip reader, so if you have something to say, try being all you can be and wave me to the nearest exit.

The Cenobite

Having bumper stickers that read “Jesus lives” or “Jesus Saves” or “God hates Calgary drivers too” is not going to make you holier than thou. Some extremists here have even hand painted religious rhetoric on their vehicles, probably in the false belief that God will spare their Volkswagon, their vegetables, fuzzy dice and yellow Crocs simply because he appreciated the fact that they visited Paint Your World.

The Conductor

Even though your time is so precious, sitting on a railroad track in traffic is not going to make you go faster in the direction you are going. Rather, if you get hit, you are going to find it a little difficult to switch lanes without signaling, pass everyone else, be uber-cool on your cellphone, ride my bumper, blind me, wonder where you are, ponder accidents, put on your face, yell at me and praise the lord all while the train is pushing your 1994 Honda Civic into oblivion.

[Craigslist]

First, they've selected the perfect vehicle. The Mitsubishi Delica is a prime vehicle for such a trip. It's a 4x4 powered by a, we assume, converted 2.5-liter turbodiesel. It sleeps two quasi-comfortably. It looks awesome. As we proved with the algae-powered Vanagon camper, vans are ideal for this kind of work.

Additionally, North America makes a much better place to cruise than Europe. All of those empty miles of open road makes for lots of space to eat asphalt. The proposed route takes them through the Northwest and up through much of Canada before crisscrossing the heartland of the United States and, eventually, making their way through Texas and down into Mexico. Once they make it to Texas we're expecting that they can get enough fuel at the first Whataburger to make it all the way back to Canada. Information on their journey below.

Our Goal

We are working to raise individual awareness of our planet’s current environmental situation and how YOU as an individual control its future.

Face it; the majority of the western civilization population has one role in society: consumer. You (among billions of others) are the driving force for governments and corporations. You "vote" them into power through elections and by purchasing products that determine the market. We are reaching a critical point in time when you as an individual must decide if you are a part of the solution or against it.

Daily, the average consumer is bombarded by environmental issues in the media. One buzz word, "global warming," is repeated countless times, over and over, along with the pressure for you to do something about it. The solution to global warming is then conveniently presented to you in the form of a product. The solution to global warming is not in a product, not within your governments hands, nor is it a developing technology. The solution to global warming and all other connected environmental issues depend on your behaviour. We hope to capture your attention. In turn you will save money, act towards a solution for a healthier planet, and live a healthier mental and physical existence.

How will we possibly reach so many people? A massive public display. We plan on breaking the current world record for "Longest Journey by Car on Alternative Fuel." Waste Vegetable Oil (WVO) will power our vehicle across Canada, the US, and possibly Mexico. We will be visiting sustainable initiatives along the way and will then deliver what we know and learn on sustainability through public discussion, lectures in schools, radio and television media broadcasting, newspaper and magazine publications, websites, podcasts, internet broadcasting, video documentary, and possibly a TV series. We are preparing to drive more than forty-five thousand kilometres by car on alternative fuel using WVO to surpass the current world record of 38,137 kilometres.

(Thanks to James for the tip!)

[Source: Driven To Sustain]

First, we need to get in the right mood to appreciate this fine automobile. A little music, comrades?

A while back, I was running errands in Toronto's west end. As I approached a stoplight, I swore I saw the distinct profile of a Russian limousine among the crossing traffic. It was long gone by the time I got there.

A week later, I saw it again and collected these shots.

OK, so I only have 5 photos. I was rushing, my camera battery was dying, but damn, just LOOK at this thing. How thoughtful of the owner to include a little background info via window sticker. Glasnost indeed! Photographed on Parkside Drive in Toronto.

Imagine, if you will, the conversations that once took place in the back seat.

Here's a link to where the car is for sale.

Hopefully you find this interesting

What do you think about that $27,500 (Canadian) price tag? Maybe we need a Down On The Crack Pipe Bonus poll!