DriveSmartBC

My life is usually mostly rural in character, but I've been visiting Surrey this week as both a driver and a pedestrian. Given the spate of vehicle / pedestrian collisions in the news lately it has been interesting to consider how they happen in light of my unusual surroundings. I think that a large component of the problem is haste with drivers and lack of attention by pedestrians.

This TyreSafe video from the UK is equally valid here in British Columbia. Well, except for the 20p coin tread depth test of course! It urges you to consider the condition of your tires monthly, or at least prior to every long trip. In addition to what to check, it adds information on how tires can affect your ability to operate your vehicle safely.

Today it almost seems like having a minor collision is only important to those who actually collide and their insurance company. There is no requirement to report a collision to the police and other motorists can't wait for you to get out of their way.

In my current position I come across a large amount of drivers who seem to live in British Columbia but have Alberta licence plates and insurance. The story goes that they husband works in Alberta and commutes back to British Columbia on their days off. Most of the time their wife and children live full time in BC, kids attend a BC school etc.

My questions are these:

A reader is curious about etiquette when someone has stopped in the traffic lane to back into a parallel parking space. This is an instance that is not specifically covered in the Motor Vehicle Act. In the event of an collision, it may be the fault of either driver depending on the circumstances.

This case involves Mr. Antonio Alves who was driving his truck on Renfrew Street at East 22nd Avenue in Vancouver making a left turn. He struck and killed 77 year old Mrs. Susan Wong as she crossed the highway in a crosswalk. Mr. Alves stopped, returned to check Mrs. Wong, spoke to a bystander, remained for a moment more and then departed. He turned himself in to police later that day.

Question: I got a speeding warning by the police yesterday. He said my speed was over 60, but I am sure I was not driving over 60. I worry if the warning was put on the computer or not. If it is kept on record,it's not fair for me. I even don't have the chance to dispute for it.

The Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) reports that using winter tires during the winter months can increase the likelihood of avoiding a costly collision. The challenge researchers discovered was getting drivers to use winter tires. The report looks at existing Canadian and international research on the efficacy of winter tires and their potential effects.

The tow truck is a bit of an orphan when it comes to being an "official vehicle" as defined in our slow down, move over laws. Drivers happening across a tow truck working at the side of the highway must slow down and move over if possible just as they would for an overtaken police vehicle, fire apparatus or ambulance. The latter three types of vehicle are easily identified by the colour of their flashing lights but the tow truck blends in with all the other flashing yellow light equipped vehicles on our highways.

I'm just wondering if the computers inside police cars have access to all of icbc's driving records and database?