Question: Could you clarify what the law is in BC regarding offensive words, statements, illustrations etc. on vehicles in use on public roads? For example, I recently saw a truck advising anyone interested that the driver masturbates. Maybe there are no limits on obscenities these days?"
What Are Obscenities?
I suppose that the most important point to examine is how do we determine what are obscenities.
The Supreme Court of Canada has said that indecent criminal conduct [or obscenity] will be established where the Crown proves beyond a reasonable doubt the following two requirements:
- That, by its nature, the conduct at issue causes harm or presents a significant risk of harm to individuals or society in a way that undermines or threatens to undermine a value reflected in and thus formally endorsed through the Constitution or similar fundamental laws
- That the harm or risk of harm is of a degree that is incompatible with the proper functioning of society.
It's in Bad Taste
While we both may justifiably think that what you observed is in poor taste and the vehicle owner should not be able to do this sort of thing, it would not meet the criminal definition of obscene and the police will not be interested in hearing from you about it.
No Motor Vehicle Laws Apply
There are no motor vehicle laws or bylaws that could be used in place of a criminal charge either.
What to do About it
Since it is not far off of some prime time television content, probably the best option to choose is to just ignore it. At either extreme, approaching the driver will either get you laughed at or involved in a road rage incident. I doubt that they care what you think and will not remove the offending image.
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Comments
If the laws of the land allow Rob Ford (ironically a major car name) to utter all types of profanities and sexual innuendo on all venues of media, then they certainly will not be used to prosecute someone with distasteful signs or objects on their vehicle.
There are trucks with the large moose testicles trailing the bumper. I’m not sure what that is supposed to mean other than “the driver of this truck is an insensitive redneck”.
It is a sad commentary that people whether it be T-shirts or bumper stickers are more than willing to graphically illustrate to the world that they are crude and distasteful and proud of it.
As you write there is not a definition of law that prohibits the distasteful innuendo and as a society it seems we have become accepting of almost all types of comments or graphic illustrations.
Sad really, I prefer the days where there was a little more thought of others and family decency but i suppose that makes me both a dinosaur and overly conservative.
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To me, the display speaks volumes that the driver/owner is self identifying as a sex offender. Speaks volumes to his character. I find it vulgar and beyond distasteful but I too suppose my age is obvious as I witness the serious decline in decency, kindness and thoughtfulness in today’s society. It’s appears to me, it’s all about the “shock” value. Morals, values and ethics...... do they even teach those anymore?
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I Must be a Conservative Dinosaur