Signs & Signals

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has announced the implementation of Pilot Car Load Movement Guidelines to regulate the safe movement of oversize vehicles on B.C.'s highways. Part of the Traffic Management Manual for Work on Highways, it also describes new temporary signs with a fluorescent pink background to warn of an emergency situation. In this case an example might be an overwidth load stopped so that it obstructed a lane of travel. It would be up to the pilot car operator to place the sign appropriately to warn approaching traffic.

When you need the services of firefighters or paramedics seconds can seem like hours. Sooner is always better in situations like this so some traffic lights are equipped with sensors that listen for sirens and change the signals to make way for emergency vehicles. Not knowing what the priority signal lights meant led one driver to make a choice that could have resulted in a collision in a Ladysmith intersection.

From our understanding of the learning guide with the road sign in picture 4 (sign straight or right turn) says that you are to move into correct lane prior to passing road sign cause once you pass road sign you have to now commit to that direction and you also can't cross over solid white line.

Question: I am driving westbound on Moscrop Street, approaching the intersection with Willingdon Avenue in Burnaby. The signal changed to a yellow light and I decided that I was past the point of no return so I did not brake. A driver coming toward me decided to turn left and we collided. ICBC has found me to be partly at fault.

Please let me know what the rules are when there are different HOV signs. For example, in Coquitlam, HOV signs clearly state the lane is for vehicles with one or more persons per vehicle during the hours of 6 am and 7 pm Mon-Fri. HOV signs in Langley, however, do not state the hours, nor do they state the days of the week HOV is in effect. Does this mean there are different HOV laws depending on jurisdiction?

Question: I remember reading in one of the Courtenay newspapers where someone from the City of Courtenay advised that they were changing the timing of the traffic lights in intersections. The change was from (possibly) a half second to a full second – meaning all the lights would be red for this amount of time.

During one of my Elder College presentations I work through a module on traffic signs and lane markings with the students. Driving examiners tell me that this is one area that older drivers have trouble with if they are called in for a re-examination. Based on discussions in the forum on the DriveSmartBC web site I can truthfully say that older drivers are not the only ones having difficulty with signs.

I have to ask, what the rule is on running red lights when the signals are broken or not functioning correctly.

Is it within the Motor Vehicle Act to enter an intersection on a yellow light with the intent to turn left only if you stop first before entering the intersection?

Same question except you don't stop before you enter the intersection.