Road safety affects everyone who uses British Columbia's roads. During an election campaign, voters should be able to find out what the parties seeking to form government intend to do to prevent collisions and reduce deaths and serious injuries.
Drivers sometimes enter roundabouts without yielding, signal incorrectly or travel in the wrong direction. Knowing how to use a roundabout safely is an important part of being a responsible driver. Traffic patterns and road designs change, so it is worth reviewing the rules and refreshing your driving skills from time to time.
A sidewalk may be present, but that does not necessarily mean everyone can use it easily or safely. Uneven pavement, loose gravel, narrow passages, poles, overgrown vegetation and difficult road crossings can make an ordinary walk challenging for someone using a walker, wheelchair, cane or mobility scooter.
Motorcycle lane filtering is the practice of riding between lanes of stopped or slow-moving traffic travelling in the same direction. Supporters argue that it can reduce delays and help motorcyclists avoid being struck from behind. Critics worry that drivers may not expect a motorcycle to pass between vehicles and could move into its path while changing lanes or turning.
I was asked two interesting questions by email: “Is it law or simply a rule in B.C. that pedestrians should walk facing traffic when there are no sidewalks along the roads? What happens when the highway maintenance company leaves no shoulder to walk on?”
An emergency vehicle's flashing lights and siren do not give its driver an unrestricted right to disregard the rules of the road. British Columbia's Motor Vehicle Act permits certain driving privileges in defined circumstances, but the driver must have a proper justification for exercising them and must continue to drive with due regard for safety.
Buying an older motorcycle or other vehicle without registration papers can create a problem when you want to put it on the road. The previous owner may have lost the documents, the vehicle may never have been registered in British Columbia, or its registration history may be unclear.
Question: I'm taking a group of family or friends on a trip in a 15-passenger van. I've been driving for years, so is there anything different I need to know?
Question: I would like to use a 15-passenger van for a pleasure trip and am wondering if a Class 5 driver's licence is valid for this use. I have read that a Class 5 licence may be sufficient for personal use, but I'd like to confirm.
Question: What should I do if a vehicle that appears to be a police car signals me to stop, but I am not convinced that it is really a police vehicle?