VIEWPOINT - Saw a preventable crash today

SoapboxWell, most crashes are preventable, even mechanical failure to some degree.

This rainy morning, as I was descending down a 10% grade coming up on an intersection, I observed two cars: grey Pontiac G5 being followed at about 3 feet distance by a large black Dodge Ram 1500.

Both vehicles were in the middle lane of a 3 lane street, where traffic 'typically' travels around 60km/h.

Turn Signals are not Always a Polite Request

Turn SignalEvery now and again I end up scratching my head and wondering why I didn't think of it that way. This is one of those times and it has to do with turn signals. Ask most drivers what they mean and the response will probably be that a turn signal is a request to change direction or move from lane to lane. That isn't necessarily so.

Q&A - Speeding Relative To Conditions

Q&A ImageIn mid July I was driving on a rural back road on Vancouver Island, heading into town to do a few personal errands. The vehicle I was driving was a 2008 Toyota Sienna van. On this particular day it was my second time driving the van, and I was still not used to the amount of steering input that was required to turn it, as I had been driving a Civic since I got my Learners License. 

RESEARCH - One Drink May Impair Older Drivers

Keys and DrinkA study by researchers at the University of Florida reports that "You may have only had one glass of wine with dinner, but if you’re 55 or older, that single serving may hit you hard enough to make you a dangerous driver." Groups of young drivers and older drivers were tested on a driving simulator sober and with blood alcohol levels of .04 and .065.

Automated Licence Plate Recognition

police officer writing ticketAutomated Licence Plate Recognition (ALPR) is a tool that is being used more frequently for traffic law enforcement in B.C. Cameras mounted on police vehicles scan vehicle licence plates as they pass and compare them to a computer database. A "hit" in the database is announced to the patrolling officer and the vehicle will be stopped for investigation.

READING - Road Speed: Health Impact and Counteractive Measures

speed demon imageThis publication from the Institut national de santé publique du Québec examines the health impact when drivers fail to follow the speed limit. It also reviews counteractive measures and identifies the need to redefine a comprehensive strategy aimed at reducing speed on Québec roads.

Q&A - Crossing the Freeway on Foot

Pedestrian Crossing SignRecently the Comox Valley Regional District purchased some land – the former railway grade from Royston to Cumberland. It has been used as an unofficial trail in the past, however I wasn’t aware of it. The trail is approximately 5.5 km long. However, part of this trail is on the Cumberland side of the Inland Island Hwy.