TRAFFIC COURT - Presenting Video Evidence

VideoSmart phones and dash cams may produce video evidence to defend yourself with in traffic court. However, it's not a good plan to show up with your smartphone in hand and try to show that video to both the prosection and the judical justice while you explain your point. In fact, some judicial justices will refuse to allow you to enter evidence in this manner.

Do I Write a Ticket or a Warning?

Ticket Writer"Don't you guys ever do anything else than write tickets?" asked the visibly upset gentleman who had just been stopped for travelling at 86 km/h in the posted 60 km/h zone. "Can't you give a guy a warning? This is my second ticket this year and I will owe ICBC a lot of money!"

CASE LAW - R v Rajani

BC Courts Coat of ArmsOn March 15, 2019 Zahir Rajani was issued a violation ticket for using an electronic device while driving. He had been observed by police to be looking down while driving his vehicle. When stopped, it was discovered that Mr. Rajani had a cell phone in his lap, facing up, connected by cord. The constable could not say if the screen was lit or not. Mr. Rajani disputed the ticket.

ADAS - Driver Training Needed

ADAS sensor viewsA new vehicle sold today is equipped with a backup camera to help insure that the driver has as complete a view to the rear as possible to insure safety while backing up. An IIHS study compared the crash rates of cars with and cars without backup cameras. Overall, cars with cameras were 17% less likely to be involved in a police-reported backup crash. Why was the reduction so small?

CASE LAW - Sisett v British Columbia (Attorney General)

BC Courts Coat of ArmsIan Sisett was stopped by police for driving at an excessive speed near Grand Forks. He received a traffic ticket for that offence and the vehicle he was driving was impounded as required by section 251 MVA. Being without a vehicle, Mr. Sisett rode back to Grand Forks with the tow truck driver and stayed the night while family members arranged transportation back to Kelowna for him.

Turning Left Too Sharply

BC Courts Coat of ArmsThis case involves determining the liability for a collision at the intersection of 86 Avenue and 160 Street in Surrey. Joshua Donato had stopped for the stop sign westbound on 86 Avenue turning right onto 160 Street. Lai Quach was driving southbound on 160 Street turning left onto 86 Avenue. They collided in the intersection.

Measuring Speed with Radar

image of a police radar unit and antennasDespite the fact that it is older technology, radar is still frequently used by police to measure vehicle speeds today. When used properly, it is an accurate method of determining how fast a vehicle is traveling. The courts also accept qualified radar evidence of speed during a trial as commonplace.