Unsafe Driving Practices

Information related to unsafe driving practices.

VIEWPOINT - Saw a preventable crash today

SoapboxWell, most crashes are preventable, even mechanical failure to some degree.

This rainy morning, as I was descending down a 10% grade coming up on an intersection, I observed two cars: grey Pontiac G5 being followed at about 3 feet distance by a large black Dodge Ram 1500.

Both vehicles were in the middle lane of a 3 lane street, where traffic 'typically' travels around 60km/h.

PHOTOS OF CONCERN - Overweight

cameraThis interesting looking vehicle was checked at the Parksville weigh scale. As evidenced by the tops of the rear tires almost scrubbing against the top of the wheel wells, it was considerably overweight. Commercial trucks are not the only vehicles on the highway that may be removed from the highway if safe loading rules are not followed, this one was too. The driver likely didn't need to look at the vehicle capacity ratings on the sticker in the driver's door opening area to know that he should not have loaded the car like this, but if he had, it would have told him the maximum safe weights for the load.

VIDEO - Texting While Driving

video icon"This powerful video being used as part of a new campaign at high schools in the United Kingdom to raise awareness of the dangers of texting while driving. With the help of actors and special effects, the video graphically shows the crash and aftermath of what could happen when a driver is distracted."

Oncoming Traffic Failing to Keep Right

Unsafe PassOne thing worse than what you described last week is when there is a road obstruction and people seem to think they have the right to cross the centre line into on coming traffic. Maybe you could address the legal side of that. My understanding is that on coming traffic has the right of way.

How to Politely Allow a Traffic Violation

Share the Road SignI'm almost always pleased to see another driver exercise courtesy on our highways because it cancels out some of the selfishness that I see every day. I say almost because I saw a misguided act of kindness today that left me shaking my head. One driver made room so that the other driver could make an illegal lane change from a side road through surrounding standing traffic.

RESEARCH - Tailgating

CASR LogoThis document by the Center for Automotive Safety Research in Adelaide, Australia looks at the role that tailgating plays in rear end crashes. The researchers found that short gaps between vehicles were common in daily driving with the majority of drivers leaving only 0.5 to 1.0 seconds between vehicles.

CASE LAW - R v Thandi

BC Courts Coat of ArmsThe officer was mistaken your worship, I was talking on my wallet, not a cell phone! This was the defense advanced before Judicial Justice of the Peace H. W. Gordon by Bhavjit Thandi after being ticketed by Cst. LeBlanc, a member of the Capital Regional District Integrated Road Safety Unit. Cst. LeBlanc had watched Mr.

Stupid in a No Stupid Zone

Question MarkNow and again you hear about something so stupid that you shake your head and wonder what the heck was that driver thinking? Yesterday's case in point was an older female who stopped in the fast lane on the opposite side of a divided highway to take a picture of a fatal collision. All the traffic behind had to screech to a halt to avoid colliding with her.

VIDEO - From One Second to the Next

video iconThis 34 minute documentary on the perils of texting and driving was created by Werner Herzog, an award winning writer, director and producer. According to the documentary description, Xavier, Chandler, Debbie, and Reggie all know the horrors of texting & driving firsthand.

Caution: Mower Ahead!

Mower Working SignI like to talk about road safety with people I meet because it often ends up producing a good topic for these articles. Yesterday I stopped to speak with the road maintenance contractor operating the mower clearing the shoulder of the roads in my neighbourhood. He was quick to offer three observations, heed the signs, keep your distance and wait behind when there is oncoming traffic.

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