HERGOTT LAW - Mom's Impaired Driving Teaches Us a Lesson

Hergott Law logoPaul examines an impaired driving crash in Vernon that occurred in October 2014 and recently concluded in court. Lori Vance is a mother of 4 with an unblemished driving record and was known for making sure that others did not drive while impaired. She made the choice to drive after drinking at a bar one night, running a red light, killing Erin Smith and seriously injuring Lindsey Hauck.

CASE LAW - R v Ward

BC Courts Coat of ArmsThis is the story about a fatal collision between an SUV and a motorcycle at the intersection of the Shawnigan Lake Road and the Trans-Canada Highway near the village of Shawnigan Lake on July 7, 2014. Shannon Ward was traveling eastbound on Shawnigan Lake Road and had stopped for the stop sign at the intersection with the Trans-Canada Highway.

It's Not Easy Being a Pedestrian

Pedestrian CrossingOur provincial driving manual Learn to Drive Smart devotes an entire chapter to the concept of See - Think - Do Method. See: The pedestrian waiting to cross the street in the intersection. Think: There are no lines painted on the pavement, but it is an unmarked crosswalk and I have to stop for the pedestrian. Do: Yield the right of way to the pedestrian and allow them to cross the street.

Q&A - Farm Vehicle Rules

Q&A ImageI have a one ton truck, commercial, increased GVW (14,000 I believe), under NSC number, licenced for farm use. With this vehicle I do the following: 

Just pickup, running for parts errands etc

Pickup and commercially plated trailer to haul water

Pickup and commercially plated trailer to haul hay, farm supplies, cattle, farm equipment

Pickup to haul horse trailer with horses/tack

NEWS - Pilot Car Load Movement Guidelines

Pink Road Work Ahead SignThe 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.

Know Before You Go

Weather AlertThe beginning of this month was not a good one for many road users in the province with the weather related closure of 3 major east - west highway routes. Road maintenance contractors generally maintain our roads in good condition for safe driving, but when weather overwhelms their resources it should not be a surprise when road closures are the result. If you choose to travel during major weather events your mantra should be Know Before You Go or perhaps even simply Don't Go.