Intersections

Information related to intersections.

CASE LAW - Vance v Cartwright

BC Courts Coat of ArmsWilliam Vance was riding an unlicenced, uninsured off road motorcycle southbound on 198 Street in Langley, B.C. He was not wearing a helmet and was exceeding the speed limit. Cristine Cartwright was eastbound on 21 Avenue and had stopped at the stop sign before entering 198 Street intending to turn northbound. Vision was limited for drivers on 21 avenue looking northbound by roadside vegetation.

Passing a Long Vehicle Turning Right

No Passing On The RightThe driver of this car may not have noticed the flashing right turn signal on the bus, but learned the hard way that it was worth paying attention to. Passing a long vehicle turning right is obviously a dangerous thing to do and should be avoided.

VIDEO - The Philosophy of the Stop Sign

VideoThis excellent video by Young Drivers of Canada explains the philosophy of the stop sign. If you approach thinking "stop", you are more apt to grant the required right of way to other road users. If you approach intending to slow down just enough to avoid a ticket, you are thinking "go" and will be less likely to take the necessary action, stopping, if you are required to grant right of way to others.

Changing Lanes and Merging Traffic

Improper TurningWould you write something in one of your articles about people turning at intersections and immediately going into the right lane and cutting off other motorist merging into traffic? This is one of my biggest pet peeves in the traffic world. I have seen and experience where to person who is merging is getting the horn and finger wave even though they were in the right.

Failing to Yield to Left Turn

Q&A ImageI am tired of trying to make a left turn at an intersection and having the opposing traffic going around the other guy that is also trying to turn left. I can't seem to finish my turn till we run out of cars. I am talking about intersections without lights. I've asked the local sergeant but he's not sure what to do about it.

Green Light: Look Before You Go

image of a green lightA green light doesn't always mean go unless you've had a good look to make sure that there are no hazards present before you proceed. Jennifer Biggers learned this when the vehicle she was driving collided with Carol Murdoch, who was crossing quickly in a marked crosswalk against a red light at the intersection of Blanshard Street and Saanich Road in Victoria.

Failing to Take Reasonable Care

BC Courts Coat of ArmsRoad users, drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, have a duty to take reasonable care for themselves and others. If they do not follow the traffic rules they assume a heightened duty of care according to the courts. In this case both the driver and the cyclist involved failed to do so and collided with each other.