Miscellaneous

Information regarding topics that don't fit in established categories.

CASE LAW - R v Catling

BC Courts Coat of ArmsMatthew Catling received two traffic tickets, one in Richmond for speeding in a municipality and one in Vancouver for using an electronic device. Mr. Catling filed separate Constitutional Question Act notices on both the Richmond and Robson Square prosecutions on November 2, 2017, and November 24, 2017, respectively. He asserted that s. 63.1 of the Offence Act violates Sections 7 and 11(d) of the Charter.

Suggestions From the Twitterverse

twitter logoFor my final article of 2018 I turned to the loyal followers of @DriveSmartBC on Twitter, asking what they felt was important to review. Within a very short time I had five suggestions to write about.

@MRTMCMLIII suggested the “Orange Options” on each corner that few know how to use to signal their intentions before they complete a manoeuvre.

Random Thoughts While Stuck in Traffic

Traffic Signal OffHave you ever given any thought to how efficiently traffic lights control the flow of vehicles? I found out last Friday afternoon at 5:30 pm as I traveled the 7.6 kilometers between Superior Road in Lantzville and Northwest Bay Road in Nanoose Bay on Highway 19. Total elapsed time: 40 minutes for a trip Google Maps says should take 5 minutes.

Thanksgiving

thankfulIn general, traffic enforcement is a solitary effort for police outside of the province's municipalities. I've often wondered just how close I have come to something bad happening in a traffic stop while I was a long way away from the nearest backup. Since today is Thanksgiving, I want to tell a story where something bad did almost happen and I'm very thankful for the "almost."

Driving at Night in the Rain

rain cloudI am generally not a person who likes the rain, but as I sit with my coffee in hand looking out the window this morning I'm happy to see it. No doubt, so is the vegetation that depends on it. Not so for drivers though, social media has been full of well meant advice to slow down due to the potential of slippery roads.

Q&A - Disclosure / Adjournment Question

Q&A ImageI went to traffic court and officer asked for an adjournment due to fact he had not complied with my request for disclosure. My question is do I have to request for disclosure again or is it the officer's responsibility to give it to me now?

I think the issue was he was working for different jurisdictions at that time so there was some clerical error.

READING - IIHS Status Report on Automated Vehicles

IIHS LogoThe Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has released a special edition of the Status Report on autonomous vehicles. From the introduction:

The idea of self-driving cars has garnered so much press that consumers can almost be forgiven for thinking the latest cars can drive themselves.

RESOURCE - Legal Help On Line

Justice Education Society LogoThe Justice Education Society of British Columbia is a resource aimed to improve legal capability and increase access to justice. While there are many different types of resources available on the site, the driving category is likely of the most interest to people reading this. Content currently consists of 7 info sheets and 5 videos.

AUDIO - An Ex-Traffic Cop Talks

podcast imageJust listened to this great interview between an active defense lawyer and a retired traffic officer.

RANT - Honk When Locking

SoapboxOver the last 15 months I have had an issue in regards to horn honking in our neighborhood. I think the problem can easily be resolved by education.

Many vehicle owners have picked up some really bad habits and possibly don't know that their bad habits are affecting others.

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