Driving Complaint Frustrations

Police officer writing a traffic ticket Question: If a person is not satisfied with the response of the local police to a driving complaint, what is the next step? I know for a fact my wife and I had the offending vehicle, driver's description and B.C. license number correct.

Spot a Crash on a BC Highway? Check for the Yellow Tape First

Pink accident ahead road sign on a BC highway Have you ever spotted a bright yellow ribbon tied to a crashed car beside a British Columbia highway? If you are driving on any BC road, seeing this tape is an important signal. It means BC emergency services have already been to the scene, checked for injuries, and cleared the vehicle. If you see that yellow ribbon, you do not need to call emergency services.

Can You Drive Your Jeep Without Doors in BC? The Legal Reality

BC Courts Coat of ArmsA BC Provincial Court case, R. v. Dolson (2014), officially put the spotlight on whether aftermarket "Adventure Doors" are legal on BC highways. Here is what you need to know before you strip down your rig.

Dressed to Be Seen After Dark

image of pedestrians dressed to walk in the darkFew people leave their homes without paying some attention to how they are dressed. When we choose our clothing to suit our personality, are we thinking about how we will appear to other road users when we are pedestrians after dark? The right choice of clothing for your next walk at night could be critical!

Noisy Motorcycles in BC: Regulations, Enforcement, and the Law

a red cruiser motorcycle emitting loud sound waves from a modified gold exhaust pipeComplaints regarding noisy motorcycles spike across British Columbia as warm weather arrives. For law enforcement personnel, roadside enforcement of exhaust system violations generally follows three specific paths based on the condition of the vehicle and the language of provincial traffic law.

Driving Over Fresh Line Paint: Illegal and Dangerous for Modern Tech

image of lane marking in progress warning signMany drivers view wet highway paint as a nuisance. Driving over newly painted lines damages your vehicle, defaces road infrastructure, and creates severe safety risks for modern vehicles. Here is what British Columbia drivers need to know about the legal penalties and technical dangers of ignoring "Wet Paint" signs.

Roadside Authority: A Guide to Police Powers in BC

image of officer doing traffic enforcementIn British Columbia, the authority of a peace officer during a traffic stop is broad, grounded in both provincial safety statutes and federal criminal law. While the Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects against arbitrary detention, the courts have consistently ruled that the state's interest in road safety justifies certain "reasonable limits" on those rights.

Red & Blue Lights in the Mirror: How to Pull Over Safely

White BC Highway Patrol Ford Explorer with blue and red lights activated behind a grey sedan on a highway shoulder.Being stopped by the police is a high-stress moment. In my years on patrol, I saw it all: drivers slamming on their brakes in the middle of a live lane, and others who drove for kilometres, totally oblivious to the light show behind them.