Q&A - Frustration With Vancouver's Pay Parking App

no parking signQUESTION: I regularly pay with Vancouver's pay by phone app. However, i have noticed that once in a while, the change in license plate (i have two vehicles) does not register. So the other day, I paid for parking and all was good, except it in fact did not register the change so I parked my other license plate. Sure enough, I got a ticket.

Q&A - Cyclists and texting

Q&A ImageI witnessed an accident the other day between a cyclist and a truck. The cyclist was riding with no hands, looking down while texting on his cell phone. He did not notice that he had come to an intersection and rode into the side of a truck. He was not wearing a helmet and received more than a few injuries requiring an ambulance to attend. Are cyclists not required to obey the sections of the motor vwhicle act in a case like this?

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.

Texting Stopped at a Red Light

Texting While DrivingIntersections can be dangerous places both because it is a place of high crash risk, but also because it can be a place with a significant risk for being ticketed. Traffic police have become creative when working at intersections as related in the article Beware the Flower Clown and Other Roadside Characters. Last week's character held a Happy Valentine's Day sign and was watching for drivers texting at the red light.

VIDEO - How to Adjust Your Head Restraint

VideoThis short video from ICBC shows you how to properly adjust your head restraint. A Canadian study on headrest use, funded by the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), found that only 14 per cent of Canadian drivers (more women than men) had their headrests adjusted in the 'good' position. For 53 per cent of the drivers observed, the adjustment was so inadequate that it would not protect them from injury in a rear-end collision.

Q&A - Drinking in a Motorhome

Q&A ImageQuestion: I was wondering about drinking in a motor home and its legality. I understand that definition of motor home from the Motor Vehicle Act. I further understand that a person must not drive or otherwise exercise control over the operation of a motor vehicle.

Where is Our Traffic Enforcement?

Question MarkHaving spent 20 years in traffic enforcement I'm always curious if I will see any of it being done when I travel on our highways. Unfortunately I have to say that I very rarely see a police vehicle in my travels, much less one stopped at the side of the road dealing with a driver. The erratic driver I saw this morning brought the question to mind "where's a cop when you need one?"

CASE LAW - MacKnight v Nast

BC Courts Coat of ArmsThis incident took place at the intersection of Hillside Avenue and Gosworth Road in Victoria. Lisa MacKnight was crossing in the crosswalk following the directions of the pedestrian controlled signals as Ryan Nast approached riding a bicycle. Mr. Nast passed stopped traffic on the right hand side and intended to go through the intersection on the red until he saw Ms. MacKnight step into the crosswalk. He tried to brake but was not successful and struck her causing significant injury to her.

VIDEO - Lane Splitting

VideoThis 30 second video reminds riders about the types of risks they are exposed to every time they ride and that no matter who is at fault, they are likely to come of second best in a crash. Riders underestimate the level of risk they are exposed to and that many ignore the options that can assist them in reducing their level of risk.