Police

This case is an appeal of a conviction for excessive speeding. Gary Westgate was measured using a laser speed measuring device at 96 km/h in a posted 50 km/h zone. At issue was a document concerning a device used to measure the output of the laser device itself. The certificate had expired in April of 2006. Mr. Justice Rogers found that the certificate had nothing to do with the accuracy of the laser device and dismissed the appeal.

I used to smile when I saw closely spaced traffic, a large gap, a police vehicle, another large gap and finally more closely spaced traffic. Everyone is afraid of the cop I thought. Having spent 25 years driving a marked police vehicle I recognize both that I rarely see this anymore and that it was a wise thing to do. Police vehicles often make unexpected starts, stops and turns.

Having spent 20 years in traffic enforcement I'm always curious if I will see any of it being done when I travel on our highways. Unfortunately I have to say that I very rarely see a police vehicle in my travels, much less one stopped at the side of the road dealing with a driver. The erratic driver I saw this morning brought the question to mind "where's a cop when you need one?"

Donald Sipes crossed Chesterfield Avenue in North Vancouver as a pedestrian. He did not use a crosswalk and was approached by police who intended to warn him for jaywalking. A conversation ensued after which the warning turned into a ticket and the officer demanded to know Mr. Sipes name and residential address. Mr. Sipes did provide his name, but refused to provide his residential address and so was arrested for obstructing a peace officer.

I have to admit that I made a conscious decision to disobey a couple of traffic laws the other day. I disregarded the speed limit and failed to keep to the right lane. I didn't think that the failing to keep right would be an issue because I was pacing a marked police vehicle that I knew was not responding to an emergency.