CASE LAW - Immediate Hazard

BC Courts Coat of ArmsThe case of Stempowicz v Dobbs involves a collision at the intersection of Veterans Memorial Parkway and Langford Parkway in Langford. The traffic light was green for the opposing drivers, one turning left and one driving straight through. Justice Morley decides which driver was the immediate hazard.

I Can't Walk Fast Enough for the Pedestrian Signals

The pedestrian signals are driving me crazy! image of pedestrian signalsNo matter how quickly I start to cross once the walk light comes on or how fast I walk, I can make it only halfway across and by then the orange flashing hand has appeared. Drivers proceed even though I am still in the crosswalk trying desperately to make it safely to the other side.

Triggering Traffic Lights

image of inductive loop to change traffic lightsQuestion: 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 far ahead or behind them. When they don't stop correctly, the lights don't change.

VIDEO - Safe Following Distance

VideoThis video from Young Drivers of Canada shows the safest following distance on the road and how to adjust this distance depending on the road conditions. Maintaining a safe following distance does not appear to be a skill that is practised by a majority of drivers today and the video is a good refresher on a skill that you should be practising without fail whenever you drive.