Behind the Wheel
The invisible pedestrian
On a recent morning walk, I found myself facing a young woman across a busy intersection while we waited for the traffic signal to change. She was facing me but...
Red light means stop, but not always stay
Here's an interesting question from the DriveSmartBC inbox: “There is a mid-block pedestrian-controlled traffic light in our neighbourhood and drivers...
Maintaining proper lane position
Are some of us such poor drivers we can't even stay between the lines on the highway? I was driving home and met a pickup truck completely on my side of the...
E-bikes are considered bicycles but only if they meet set criteria
Are you going green? Is an e-bike something that you are considering the purchase of to help you get around? Buying an electric bicycle or adding an electric...
You must stop when school bus lights flash red
According to the Association of School Transportation Services of British Columbia, travel by school bus is statistically the safest method of ground...
Learning to drive in school zones
We place a high value on our children and signify that with school and playground zones. Traffic is required to slow to the lowest speed limit that we normally...
The rules for drivers at school crossings
A crossing guard is taking on a big responsibility when it comes to helping our children cross busy highways and intersections on their way to and from school...
How to make a safe lane change
I watched a particularly foolish driver the other afternoon who decided to cross over two lanes of traffic in order to prepare for a left turn about a kilometre...
Towing a vehicle with a rope or a chain is illegal
Tow trucks are too expensive. So I’ll get a chain and enlist a buddy to do the steering and apply the brakes and we’ll just drag that broken down...
The roadside camper
Travelling on a budget was likely behind a request for information that I received about camping beside the highway. The correspondent was curious to know if...
Mistaking the gas pedal for the brake pedal
How can a driver mistake the gas for the brake? I could not rationalize this explanation after reading another news story where a senior in a parking lot drove...
Never lend your vehicle to anyone
“Could you possibly advise us on how best to handle international visitors using our vehicle? We are traveling to Europe this summer and friends from...
Be cautious when approaching and crossing railway tracks
Using proper caution at railway crossings is something all drivers must remember because the train will not stop for you. It is easy to forget to look if you...
Motorized wheelchair users considered pedestrians
I have grave concerns about the safety of those driving battery operated wheelchairs and about the dangers involved for car drivers in dealing with their...
Turning left when the traffic light is red
When I was relatively new to police work, I was patrolling behind a car that stopped at a red light with the left turn signal blinking. The next thing I knew,...
The rights and the duties of cyclists when riding on the road
"Are there rules for riding bicycles?" a reader asked after narrowly missing a collision with a bicyclist. "They seem to ride wherever they feel...
When changing lanes don't force traffic behind you to tailgate
I hope most drivers subscribe to the “two-second” rule under good driving conditions and increase the following distance when the situation is not...
International driving permits are not drivers' licences
Many people mistakenly call an international driving permit (IDP) an international driver's license. Their belief is that the IDP alone allows them to drive...
Pedestrians, protect yourselves when walking at night
Every year, an average of 52 pedestrians are killed and 2,400 are injured in collisions on B.C. roads. These incidents typically take place at night or when...
Things to remember when selling a vehicle
"Would you write about selling a vehicle? I have friends who sold a car and months later they received information that the car was in an impound lot. The...