Equipment

A lot can happen to a trailer while it sits idle waiting to be useful again. Lighting connections corrode, tires lose pressure, reflectors are broken, brakes need service along with many other possibilities for wear and malfunction. That's where the pre-trip check comes in.

In my time as a driver I've seen the technology for headlights progress from tungsten filament glass sealed beams to quartz halogen, high intensity discharge and now LED and even laser. There is more light on the road today from the driver's point of view than there has ever been.

I am trying to get confirmation on the law regarding chain requirements for a BC commercial 55 passenger bus for winter driving.

The wording of the law is ambiguous. It states that school buses must carry chains and Commercial transport trucks must carry chains when driving on the highway, but that passenger vehicles are not required to carry chains.

Today's high tech cars have centre console mounted displays that allow anyone (including the driver) to play around with while in motion; should be against the law. Some cars even need to have the driver touch a screen to change the radio volume or station; a dangerous practice. Older car radios you can FEEL the knobs without taking your eyes off the road. I think vehicles are going the wrong direction these days with their gadgetry.

Can anyone please tell me if there is any provision in law to be allowed to use a siren type of alarm noise generated by say a bike alarm to be used as part of your horn mechanism.

Problems with vehicles can range from overdue maintenance to modifications that may be described as fashion over function. Responsibility for their correction rests principally with the owner and driver. When that fails, it now falls to the police and designated inspection facilities to either nudge or force correction. Depending on the severity of the defects, remedies can range from a simple reminder to a tow truck and seizure of the vehicle license and number plates.

I have a real issue with the trend of pick up trucks being modified.

I am currently driving while using a clip-on wide rear-view mirror and was wondering if it's use is allowed during the Class 5 driving test.

It is a 20cmx6cm rectangular flat mirror that goes over the existing one in the car.

I have a question about the requirement for snowflake / M+S tires on recreational vehicles October 1 to March 31 because the highway warning sign does not specifically picture travel trailers.

Here are two videos from Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement showing how to install tire chains on both light vehicles and heavy commercial vehicles. It is a good idea to try installing your tire chains when the weather is not miserable to gain experience and shorten the installation time when you really need them.