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Behind the Wheel

ICBC’s top 10 excuses for why drivers speed

ICBC’s top 10 excuses for why drivers speed

Nov 21, 2023 / 4:00 am

I found this old article from 2009 where ICBC asked police from around the province to share the top excuses they heard from drivers who they stopped for...

Knowing where to stop at a traffic signal

Knowing where to stop at a traffic signal

Nov 14, 2023 / 4:00 am

How about an article about the detection loops in the pavement at many traffic lights? Most drivers don't know what they are for and quite often stop too...

Stiff fines for not brushing snow off your vehicle

Stiff fines for not brushing snow off your vehicle

Nov 7, 2023 / 4:00 am

Now that the snow has arrived (at higher elevations), I’ve noticed many drivers who don't clean off their vehicles. The wiper blade is the only...

Driver's bad manners at the stop sign

Driver's bad manners at the stop sign

Oct 31, 2023 / 4:00 am

Mirror, signal left, brake and stop before the marked stop line. Look left, look right and the pickup that was following behind stops ahead of me on my right,...

When it comes time for skills of senior drivers to be re-examined

When it comes time for skills of senior drivers to be re-examined

Oct 24, 2023 / 4:00 am

I am often asked to write on the topic of senior driver re-examinations when there is a crash where an older driver has mistaken the gas pedal for the brake...

What to do, when fences, trees and hedges block the view of the road

What to do, when fences, trees and hedges block the view of the road

Oct 17, 2023 / 4:00 am

We have too many blind corners in our communities, says one correspondent. And according the writer, they have had, and have seen, many near-misses because...

Why aren't the police enforcing traffic laws?

Why aren't the police enforcing traffic laws?

Oct 10, 2023 / 4:00 am

It seems traffic policing involves only three things where I live—speeding, seat belts and alcohol. From my point of view there is effectively no policing...

What does 'M+S' marking mean on your vehicle's tires?

What does 'M+S' marking mean on your vehicle's tires?

Oct 3, 2023 / 4:00 am

Every year, starting on Oct. 1, B.C.'s highways are posted with signs saying the use of winter tires for light vehicles is required. The signs show both the...

Failing to remain at scene of an accident could cost you a lot

Failing to remain at scene of an accident could cost you a lot

Sep 26, 2023 / 4:00 am

Failing to remain at the scene of an accident, or a hit and run as it is more commonly known, is without a doubt a daily occurrence in British Columbia. We all...

A yellow traffic light means stop

A yellow traffic light means stop

Sep 19, 2023 / 4:00 am

Believe it or not, in British Columbia a yellow traffic light tells you that you must stop before you enter the intersection. Yes, I know there is one caveat to...

Lights and reflectors required to trailers can be seen

Lights and reflectors required to trailers can be seen

Sep 12, 2023 / 4:00 am

Nine lamps and six reflectors are the minimum required by law to be installed and functional on your trailer. If the trailer is not a small one, the number...

What is a 'regular' school day when driving in a school zone?

What is a 'regular' school day when driving in a school zone?

Sep 5, 2023 / 4:00 am

A reader remarked that the term "school days," in relation to school zone signs, is becoming more and more ambiguous. The Motor Vehicle Act merely...

Parallel parking and the impatient driver

Parallel parking and the impatient driver

Aug 29, 2023 / 4:00 am

Here's another question from the DriveSmartBC inbox: I've noticed recently that often drivers are impatient of people parallel parking and pass them on...

In an emergency, stay off these routes

In an emergency, stay off these routes

Aug 22, 2023 / 4:00 am

I always thought the disaster route signs posted beside some of our highways indicated the route that people would take if they had to evacuate during a...

How accurate is the speedometer in your vehicle?

How accurate is the speedometer in your vehicle?

Aug 15, 2023 / 4:00 am

Many drivers on the receiving end of a speeding ticket commented that their speedometer reported their vehicle's speed as something different than the radar...

Making a left turn into the correct lane

Making a left turn into the correct lane

Aug 8, 2023 / 4:00 am

A Courtenay resident is upset with drivers that turn left from the Island Highway onto Ryan Road and fail to enter the first available lane. He identifies this...

What to do when traffic signals are not working at an intersection

What to do when traffic signals are not working at an intersection

Aug 1, 2023 / 4:00 am

With all the power outages in the past few weeks, there have been a lot of intersections where traffic lights were out. Would you please remind everyone of the...

You’re not supposed to cross double solid yellow line on the road

You’re not supposed to cross double solid yellow line on the road

Jul 25, 2023 / 4:00 am

Back in 2009, I was asked about not crossing a double solid yellow line when driving. Two friends were talking about it and thought there had been an update...

Police want to see ID to keep people from masquerading as you

Police want to see ID to keep people from masquerading as you

Jul 18, 2023 / 4:00 am

"I've got 24 hours to produce it, don't I?" and "It doesn't matter, I know my licence number" had to be the two most common...

B.C.'s Driver Improvement Program

B.C.'s Driver Improvement Program

Jul 11, 2023 / 4:00 am

The Driver Improvement Program sounds like something designed to increase a driver's skills and make them a safer, more accomplished operator of a motor...

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