DriveSmartBC

This short video from ICBC shows you how to properly adjust your head restraint. A Canadian study on headrest use, funded by the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), found that only 14 per cent of Canadian drivers (more women than men) had their headrests adjusted in the 'good' position.

Having spent 20 years in traffic enforcement I'm always curious if I will see any of it being done when I travel on our highways. Unfortunately I have to say that I very rarely see a police vehicle in my travels, much less one stopped at the side of the road dealing with a driver. The erratic driver I saw this morning brought the question to mind "where's a cop when you need one?"

This incident took place at the intersection of Hillside Avenue and Gosworth Road in Victoria. Lisa MacKnight was crossing in the crosswalk following the directions of the pedestrian controlled signals as Ryan Nast approached riding a bicycle. Mr. Nast passed stopped traffic on the right hand side and intended to go through the intersection on the red until he saw Ms. MacKnight step into the crosswalk. He tried to brake but was not successful and struck her causing significant injury to her.

This 30 second video reminds riders about the types of risks they are exposed to every time they ride and that no matter who is at fault, they are likely to come of second best in a crash. Riders underestimate the level of risk they are exposed to and that many ignore the options that can assist them in reducing their level of risk.

The Whiplash Prevention Campaign Video Contest has just launched for the month of February! Win your share of over $6,500 in prizes including cash, iPad minis, HD Cam mastering, Color correction, Blu-ray transfers & more! The contest runs from February 1st - March 1st 2013
 and is open to residents of British Columbia in the following categories: secondary students, post-secondary students, and seasoned professionals.

At the beginning of last December I wrote about my experiences as a pedestrian at night in the lower mainland of BC and how dangerous it can be. This time I'm going to admire my neighbour who goes out in all weather to walk her dogs. When it's dark she wears a white LED headlight with a reflective vest and she puts a red LED light on the collar of each dog. There's no mistaking them as they walk along the road edge!

Rev Online is a publication from the UK aimed at new drivers. It seeks to intertwine young people's enthusiasm for driving with safety messages. Articles include material from celebrities who relate their own driving experiences to readers.

Issue #5 is the first issue of the magazine to be published only on line.

Over 90% of car and booster seats are used incorrectly – does this include yours? Misuse rates in Canada are shockingly high, yet a properly selected, installed, and used car seat or booster seat can reduce death and serious injury by 70%. In British Columbia, the law is quite clear that the obligation is on the driver to ensure any children in the vehicle are appropriately and properly restrained. Many parents are unsure of how to properly use their seats, or don’t realize they have made many unintentional errors.

Without a doubt, one of the most popular topic suggestions that I receive has to do with vehicle lighting. Either they are not being replaced when burned out, aren't being used properly (or at all) by drivers or are causing problems because of brightness or colour. Most include the complaint that neither drivers nor the police are regularly checking vehicles and doing or enforcing the required maintenance.

Glen and Tralee Mazu's daughter Brianne held a 19th birthday party with their consent on family property. A minor guest, Dallas Smithson, became very drunk and eventually drove away from the party in a borrowed vehicle. He collided with a taxi, killing the taxi driver and injuring the passenger, Jeremy Lutter.