Unsafe Driving Practices

Information related to unsafe driving practices.

Driving While Using Hand Held Devices

TextingAny chance you might do another article on handheld device usage in BC? The first rider death of 2012 in Kelowna was caused by driver inattention to cell phone usage. I've attached a photo that was just taken this Saturday. We actually took several - I was driving, my wife was operating the camera. This particular one clearly shows what has the driver's attention.

What Can They be Thinking?

image of following too closelyOccasionally I look at a driver around me in traffic and ask myself "what can they be thinking?" Today I wondered if the driver behind me was thinking at all! Road conditions could be described as typical BC winter driving, but this guy was so close that I couldn't see snow between the rear of my vehicle and the front of his.

VIEWPOINT - Don't Wave, Drive!

SoapboxSome of the most dangerous drivers on the road recently are those that are trying to be polite by waving a second driver to go when that second driver doesn't have the right of way. Drivers should just drive to the rules of the road, its safer and keeps the traffic moving in an orderly fashion.

Passing on the Right Revisited

No Pass On RightI hope that an article about passing on the right might help at least some drivers understand the rules and help improve the driving community. I have made a point of keeping to the right side of the lane to try and prevent vehicles from passing. One day a driver fingered and yelled at me, yet the driver was attempting to do something illegal (even though many drivers perform this illegal act).

Left Turn Into the Wrong Lane

Improper Left TurnI've noticed a new way to do a left turn onto a busy four lane highway near my home. You stop at the stop sign, look both ways, then turn left onto the traffic island. Once there, you check behind and move right into the fast lane if there is room. If not, you stop and wait until there is room to proceed.

VIDEO - Microsleeps

VideoMicrosleeps are a fleeting, uncontrollable episode of sleep which may last from a fraction of a second up to 10 seconds. These episodes occur most frequently when a sleepy person is trying to remain awake. Up to 20% of crashes in Australia are blamed on this phenomena. Dr. Karl, who narrates this video, is best known as an author and science commentator on Australian radio and television.

Playing Chicken With Your Car

BC Courts Coat of ArmsThe case of Stevanovic v Petrovic involves playing chicken by a driver who was certainly old enough to know better. Mr. Petrovic decided to do this with his friend Mr. Stevanovic who was standing in the street waiting to be picked up. The resulting collision caused a serious leg injury.