Bring Back Automated Speed Enforcement

SoapboxAccording to B.C.'s current Transportation Plan, Goal #1 is to better serve people from British Columbia, the Ministry is continuing to align transportation and land use to provide a safe, seamless and reliable transportation system across modes and jurisdictions. My wish is that the province would bring back automated speed enforcement.

Q&A - Passenger Zone in Victoria

no parking signI received 5 parking tickets about 2 hours apart each on a work day right outside of my apartment. It is a quiet residential area, and I parked at the curbside where it stated residential parking. I was told by my building manager that it is okay to park there. What I found strange is a section cutoff by a very simple sign states Passenger zone. I have seen my neighbours park there and not got ticketed.

Unsafe Speed on Gravel Road Crash

BC Courts Coat of Arms imageWhen we use the same road on a daily basis we soon learn how fast we can drive to maximize our speed based on the path that we travel. Sometimes the speed we choose becomes an unsafe speed when we fail to take into account that what is physically possible could be unsafe due to road conditions. This case determines liability for a crash that happened under these circumstances.

Q&A - Didn't Obey Police Direction

Q&A ImageI was talking on the phone while driving. Guilty. However, while at a red light a cop in plain clothes came up to me and told me to pull over to the bus stop. I had know idea who this dude was and said as much. He flashed a badge and said "Victoria Police" and walked to the curb. I drove away wondering if he actually was a cop, thinking he probably was but continued on.

CASE LAW - R v Malcolm

BC Courts Coat of ArmsKenneth Malcolm wanted by. He sped up and tailgated a vehicle in the fast lane. When it didn't move out of his way, he changed to the slow lane, overtook and tailgated the vehicle there. That driver braked briefly so that both vehicles had to slow, eventually dropping behind the vehicle that Mr. Malcolm initially hoped would get out of his way.

Keep Right Except to Pass

Keep Right SignThe Motor Vehicle Act was updated in 2015 to make it easier for police to prosecute slow drivers using the fast lane on B.C.'s highways. Perhaps the first question that needs to be asked is whether failing to keep right is really a significant cause of collisions and deserving of increased enforcement.

WEB SITE - Cycling in Cities

UBC LogoThis web site, part of the University of British Columbia School of Population and Public Health, describes itself as "a research program investigating factors that encourage or discourage bicycling, transportation infrastructure associated with increased or decreased risks of cycling injuries, and air pollution and cycling."

Detecting Drug Impaired Driving

marihuana leafDetecting and successfully prosecuting drug impaired drivers on B.C.'s highways is not a simple task. Currently the Criminal Code provisions for Drug Recognition Expert examination is the only method used to qualify drug induced impairment where the driver is not obviously incapable of physical control. One day in the not too distant future, the Cannabix marihuana breathalyzer may allow police to deal with the problem though a roadside breath test just as they would an alcohol impaired driver.