Q&A - Impaired Driving

Q&A ImageMy comment is about drinking and driving.

My husband made an interesting statement a while ago that really stuck with me. He said he felt the reason we still have so many people drinking and driving is because we allow them to make a judgement on whether or not they are impaired after they have had a drink.

RESEARCH - Effectiveness of Behavioral Highway Safety Countermeasures

NCHRP LogoA significant part of highway safety program activities is devoted to behavioral countermeasures. These include the entire driver control system—from training and licensing to laws and enforcement and sometimes culminating in fines and sanctions. Given the enormous cost of crashes and the importance of driver behavior in highway loss reduction, it is important that behavioral countermeasures be implemented as effectively as possible.

Mandatory Vehicle Inspection

Question: Q&A ImageI would appreciate your comments on the lack of any formal vehicle inspection program in BC. I understand that there is testing for vehicle emissions in the greater urban areas on the Lower Mainland, but there is no proactive testing for facets of vehicle safety such as brake condition, tire wear, light function, bodywork and frame rusting etc.

24 Hour Suspensions

image of BC's Counter Attack logoQuestion: Could you please explain what 24 hour suspensions are? What exactly does this mean for a driver and their driving record?

Professional Courtesy

Good Cop, Bad Cop image"Professional Courtesy" is common to the medical profession where que jumping is effected for medical appointments, etc., for medical professionals. Please comment on an equivalent courtesy which may be offered by law enforcement agencies for non criminal offences such as speeding or minor traffic infractions of firemen, armed forces personnel and others.

NEWS - Aftermarket Window Tinting

car with tinted windowsCommercial Vehicle Safety & Enforcement receives many inquiries regarding the application and compliance of aftermarket window tinting products. This vehicle safety and standards bulletin is intended to clarify existing Motor Vehicle Act Regulations and insure proper vehicle compliance with these requirements while operating a vehicle on the highway.

Watching from the Right Lane

Acceleration LaneI'm sure that you have already determined that if I don't write this column based on reader requests, I write about something that I have seen happen around me in traffic. This column is no different, and it is about a behaviour that struck me when I was using the freeway in Vancouver recently.