Commercial vehicle maintenance is carefully regulated in our province. Power units are subject to inspections at a designated inspection facility every 6 months and trailers once every year. Drivers must do a pre- and post-trip safety inspection each time they drive. Defects must be noted in a written log and repairs carried out promptly, sometimes before leaving the driveway.
BC's Auditor General has released the report of an independent audit of commercial vehicle safety in our province. The audit looked at whether the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia and the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General have effectively managed their respective programs to promote the safe operation of commercial vehicles on B.C. roads.
Last week we looked at the story of a cyclist who was told by a constable that it was too dangerous to ride a bike on the road and he should find another hobby. Not knowing anything more about the encounter that produced this advice I asked the cyclist if he had done anything about questioning this attitude. No was the response, I'm afraid of retaliation.
Theres another article in Burnaby Now about RCMP ticketing drivers that are skipping the two dedicated turn lanes and make a simple right turn at the intersection proper.
Effective on December 18, 2018 amendments to the Criminal Code will allow police to demand that any driver stopped for a lawful purpose participate in a screen for alcohol use. Currently police must have a reasonable belief that a driver has alcohol in their body before they can make a screening demand.
Effective immediately, the rules governing the use of tire chains on commercial vehicles traveling on BC highways have been made more extensive and the penalties for failing to follow them are under consideration and will become more expensive later this winter.
I found this Tweet from a cyclist on southern Vancouver Island yesterday: A #RCMP told me today it was too dangerous to ride a bike on the roads and I should find another hobby. In their view going to the grocery store on a #bike is a hobby. #Police and the public need to wake up #bikes are a serious mode of transport.
Q: I was served 2 violation tickets. I’d like an inquiry about what I’d be looking forward to in court. I was served one count of excessive speed MVA 148(1), prohibited use of HOV, and fail to display ‘N’ sign. Also gave me a charge of operating MV with Cannabis in vehicle. Prior to that I was an N class driver with 30 months clean driving, I had not went for a class 5 test due to preoccupations.
ICBC's current corporate slogan is "Building Trust, Driving Confidence." Pair that with this week's announcement of a $582 million loss for the first six months of the corporation's fiscal year and one begins to wonder about the confidence part. That loss is being blamed on the rising number and cost of claims.
Effective this week, heavy commercial vehicles will be forbidden to use the leftmost lane on the Coquihalla Highway between Box Canyon and Zopkios. Aimed at keeping "spun out" trucks on the right side of the highway and the left lane clear for snow removal equipment and tow trucks. If this pilot program produces the hoped for outcome it may be extended to other routes in the interior of the province.