Questions from site visitors answered.
I am fortunate to receive a steady stream of driving questions from visitors to this website. Whenever I need inspiration for my weekly column, I can always count on a reader to spark an idea. This week, the operative word is "short." I am tackling a few brief but important questions that haven’t developed into full articles but still deserve a thorough response.
Yes, you can absolutely fail an ICBC road test for driving too slowly. While many examinees focus entirely on avoiding a speeding ticket, driving well under the posted speed limit indicates a lack of confidence, poor vehicle control, and a failure to maintain the flow of traffic. The exact ways driving too slowly leads to a failed test depend on the severity, the context, and how the behavior affects other road users.
Question: Is it legal to have a nitrous oxide system hooked up to a vehicle in British Columbia? If the bottle is detached from the system, is it legal? Does a DOT/WHMIS oxidizer symbol grant any right to transport it?
Question: A friend of mine just received a speeding ticket in BC. The description of the offence says "speed signs", the Act is "MVA", and the section is "146(7)". What does this mean? She doesn't think her actual speed was recorded on the ticket, but there are two numbers, "91-89", written in the top right corner. Lastly, if she disputes this ticket, can a judge increase her penalty?
The short answer is no, you cannot safely or legally drive on public roads in British Columbia while your arm is immobilized in a temporary sling.
A common point of confusion in cities like Vancouver is the intersection equipped with pedestrian-controlled lights on the main road and stop signs on the cross-street.
Question: My father wants to know about the rules for mobility scooters in B.C. The one that he is considering is completely covered so he can drive it in Comox and Courtenay all winter long.
Question: Why is it that people can still drive our streets in vehicles puking out pollution? Isn't there laws against this? If so please contact the owner of BC plate [deleted] and ask to get the thing repaired. Not fair to be trapped behind one of these and have to breathe in the stench!
Question: The scenario is a two car accident. Both parties have different versions of what happened but it happened in a gas station parking lot with video cameras pointed at the location of the accident. I requested the surveillance video but the gas station refuses to provide it and states I need a court order.
Question: What are the laws in BC about wearing hearing protection while operating a non-commercial vehicle? I drive a diesel panel van, and the noise level in the cab is VERY high at highway speeds - to the point that conversation is difficult and my ears ring after extended drives.