Q&A - Difference Between Impaired and Over .08

Impaired Driving Counter Attack LogoI witnessed a discussion the other day about the difference between the charges of driving over .08 BAC and driving impaired. Over .08 BAC is obvious but what actions or behaviours can bring an impaired driving charge? Does it specifically refer to alcohol and drugs. Can a person be deemed impaired by illness, say dementia, or impaired by say a neck brace or cast?

Playing Chicken With Your Car

BC Courts Coat of ArmsThe case of Stevanovic v Petrovic involves playing chicken by a driver who was certainly old enough to know better. Mr. Petrovic decided to do this with his friend Mr. Stevanovic who was standing in the street waiting to be picked up. The resulting collision caused a serious leg injury.

VIDEO - Winter Braking Tips

VideoThis video is produced by the Michelin Tire people and illustrates four topics: shorter stopping distances with winter tires, control difficulties with mis-matched tires, braking with and without ABS and steering while braking with and without ABS. All of this is conducted on snow covered ground.

CASE LAW - Kelly v Yuen

BC Courts Coat of ArmsIn this case, Ms. Kelly was attempting a left turn at an intersection on a multiple lane highway. Mr. Yuen was oncoming and had briefly stopped in the lane two away from the curb, the curb lane being a restricted lane for bus and cycle use only at the time.

CASE LAW - Schurmann v Hoch

BC Courts Coat of ArmsThe case of Schurmann v Hoch arises from a collision that occurred at dusk in rainy weather. Mr. Schurmann was attempting to turn out of a parking lot onto the highway when he was struck by the vehicle Mr. Hoch (a GLP driver) was operating. Mr. Hoch had failed to turn on his headlights.

Yielding to a Bus

image of sign requiring yielding to a transit busThe other day I was following a bus. He put on his four way flashers and pulled completely off the road into a bus stop, so I proceeded to pass. When I was beside the bus, he pulled out and I had to swerve to avoid a collision. They do have a yield sign on the back of the bus, but don't they have to re-enter traffic yielding just like anyone else on the road?

CASE LAW - Vedan v Stevens

BC Courts Coat of ArmsThis is a case to decide liability for an injury that resulted when a child fell or jumped from the back of a pickup truck while it was being driven by a driver who was not his parent. The justice examines a driver's duty of care to his passengers. In all cases there is a duty of care required of the passenger to wear a seatbelt.