Equipment

There sometimes seem to be two types of people when it comes to the sounds emitted by their vehicle's mufflers: those who hate it and those who try to balance calling attention to themselves yet not provoke a response from traffic law enforcement.

One of the more frequent vehicle equipment complaints that I receive is about blinding blue headlights. I am told that they are horrendous to an oncoming driver and it is hazardous to be driving because of the glare. Drivers want to take their eyes off the road or look to the side to avoid them. Are they legal?

The next time you get into your vehicle, start it up, set the parking brake, turn on all of the lights and the hazard flashers. Walk around your vehicle and check all the lights. Are they all lit as they should be, and are the lenses clean, intact and still the right colour? If so, you are good to go from the standpoint of lights at least.

Question: I bought a used newer truck from a dealership and was told prior to signing the final documents that the truck had gone through a full safety inspection. Less than two weeks later I was pulled over and issued a ticket for improperly equipped motor vehicle and issued a box 2 inspection order for my 2017 Dodge Ram 3500.

One of the most common complaints I hear that is not about a moving violation concerns the use or misuse of lights on vehicles. Here is one of them: "What is really starting to annoy myself and many others is people driving with their fog lights on during clear nights or even during the day. Is this not an infraction? These lamps are often unreasonably bright."

Question: What kind of qualifications do police officers have for doing mechanical inspections on vehicles? I have a 2010 GMC Sierra that I keep in excellent shape in all respects but I got a defective vehicle ticket and a safety inspection order after being stopped.

Me and my husband are trying to figure out the requirements for tying down our ATVs. We’ve Googled the question and are still a bit lost. I have attached a picture and one of the quads in question. Do all 4 wheels need to be strapped down, or can we do a front left and rear right tie down?

I am thinking about upgrading the sealed beams on a vintage car to LED headlights. The LED headlights I'm considering are marked "DOT SAE" on the front. Does that mean that they are legal on roadways in B.C.? The gentleman that posed this question also supplied a web site URL with more information that promised DOT approval and explained that these lights were used by international Baja racing teams. Sounds good, doesn't it?

Spring has sprung and trailers that have slumbered through the winter are being dragged out of storage and dusted off for use. Check the air in the tires. Light up the lights. Yes, we're good to go for another season! Experience has taught me that spring cleaning seldom includes the trailer's surge brakes.

Jennifer Healey is a research scientist who works for the semiconductor giant Intel developing the mobile devices of the future. One of those devices might be your car, and it will talk to other vehicles around it. If we can solve the privacy concerns, vehicles may be able to insure that their drivers avoid collisions.