DriveSmartBC

In this issue:

• More boosters are doing a good job of fitting safety belts to kids in the latest round of seat evaluations
  

Resource roads in BC include logging, mining and oil field access roads are traveled by heavy commercial vehicles that can be almost as wide as the roads themselves. If sight lines are limited and you do not have a radio, it can be very dangerous to travel these roads for recreational purposes.

I was listening to the investigation of a driving complaint unfold the other day. A member of the public had complained about the way a business vehicle was being driven and the constable had asked the dispatcher to inquire about the driver with the business. "He's a pretty bad driver" the dispatcher relayed from the business owner, "he should probably get a ticket."

For many people the most dangerous thing that they do at work is drive a company vehicle on a public highway. Whether you operate a fleet of only a few or many vehicles having a fleet safety plan will potentially save you time, money and the possibility of being held criminally liable for the actions of your drivers.

Colliding with the rear or side of a commercial vehicle can be more than a headache. Currently North American standards have required a stronger rear underride protection, but there is no requirement at all for side underride protection. This video illustrates the hazard and demonstrates the added protection for side underride protection currently mandated in Europe.

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.

B.C.'s Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement Circular 05-11 announces that truck tractors used for non-commercial purposes licensed for pleasure use under specified rate classes are exempt from periodic inspections required by the Commercial Vehicle Inspection Program (CVIP).

This case decides liability after a collision between a cyclist and a large commercial truck. Christina MacEachern was riding or walking beside a bicycle along the King George Highway in Surrey, B.C. She was opposing traffic on the shoulder of the roadway which was narrow due to vehicles parked next to it.

Driving for Better Business is a national campaign sponsored by the Secretary of State for Transport.

Running into the rear of a heavy truck is much more likely to be fatal than running into another light vehicle. Rear end structures designed to prevent collisions where light vehicles ride under heavy vehicle trailers are not sufficient, even in relatively low speed crashes.