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.

Young Driver Deaths: BC Coroners Service

SoapboxThe BC Coroners Service released recommendations today with the hope of mitigating something that we are already aware of, the fact that motor vehicle collisions are the number one cause of death for youth aged 15 to 18. The first two suggest that we study aspects of the issue in more detail and the third that the Ministry of Justice should develop and implement automated speed enforcement.

Bald Tire Photo of Concern

image of an slr cameraThis Photo of Concern involves a bald tire found at the roadside during an interaction with police. As you can see from the photo, the outside edge of the tire is so badly worn that the belts under the tread are starting to show. The groove between the two tread ribs is no longer visible as well.