CASE LAW - R v Roberts

BC Courts Coat of ArmsIn this case Mr. Roberts fell asleep at the wheel and left the roadway. During investigation of the event he told police that he had been partying late at night and had consumed alcohol. There was not sufficient evidence to convict him of impaired driving, although the reasons why are not discussed. Mr.

Everyone Must Wear Seatbelts

SeatbeltAs of September 15, 2019 taxi drivers in British Columbia are no longer exempt from wearing their seatbelts if they are travelling at less than 70 km/h. I have never understood why this exemption was necessary, particularly in light of the fact that doing so actually endangers their passengers.

READING - Global Status Report on Road Safety

WHO LogoThe Global Status Report on Road Safety reaffirms our understanding of road traffic fatalities as a global health and development problem. More than 1.2 million people die on the world's roads every year, and as many as 50 million others are injured. Over 90% or the deaths occur in low-income and middle-income countries.

Yielding to an Emergency Vehicle

Fire TruckI have received a number of e-mails from readers following the column on B.C.'s new Slow Down, Move Over law. They are concerned that some people are taking this to mean that they don't have to pull over and stop on the approach of an emergency vehicle anymore. People that they have spoken with think that it is now acceptable to slow down, move over and let the emergency vehicle pass them by. This is not correct!

CASE LAW - R v Dubbin

BC Courts Coat of ArmsIn this case Wendy Dubbin admits to not wearing a seatbelt and then attempts to have the charge dismissed. She argues that the provision of the Motor Vehicle Act which creates the offence of failing to wear a seatbelt violates her rights under section 2 and section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.