DriveSmartBC

Learn about the common driving laws in the North American states and provinces before you go! This wonderful driving resource used to be available only as a paper book. Now it is available on line through the courtesy of the American Automobile Association for all to use. Planning on travel by vehicle?

How busy are our highways? Quoting from their web site, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure's Traffic Data Program monitors traffic volumes at several locations throughout the province. This information is used by ministry staff to help support planning, design, construction, and operation of the Ministry road network.

The following is quoted from the manual's introduction:

As many equestrians take to the roads, keeping themselves and their horses safe while sharing road space with cars, trucks, motorcycles and bicycles is a key concern for many horseback riders.

Are you prepared to drive on wet roads after our dry summer? It's time to shift mental gears and be ready for another season of less than ideal driving conditions. Many drivers try to blame their crashes on the weather, but a more truthful answer might be that the reason for the crash is failing to take the weather into account.

Hey, that machine is driving on the wrong side of the road! Can that utility truck park like that while they fix the overhead wires? These are just two of similar questions that the public often ask. The answer is yes, as long as it is done safely.

Hosted by the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, the Educational Comics Collection contains a 1958 title, Driving Like a Pro. Originally offered by the Greyhound Corporation "in the interest of safety on our highways. It describes some of the methods that have made Greyhound the safest transportation of all - by far!"

A very annoying problem we hear on the local roads are the numerous Boom Boxes playing at all hours of day or night. I think our noise by-law should be enforced, as we have enough noise pollution as it is without these ridiculous noise boxes waking us from our sleep. Can you enlighten me on the subject please?

This is a column on etiquette and consideration for others that has little to do with safety, and everything to do with respect. I was asked to write on the subject of funeral processions by the friend of a family whose members were upset at the lack of thought shown by other drivers entering and leaving the procession to the cemetery.

This issue of the IIHS Status Report examines how well the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf protect their occupants in a crash. This is the first examination of plug-in electric cars and they both earn top ratings.

What do you do with a pickup that has only one operating light, a high beam headlight, being driven at night between towns? How about another being driven in the rain with wipers being operated by the passenger who was pushing and pulling on a rope with one end tied to each wiper and run through the passenger compartment via the vent windows?