CASE LAW - Burroughs v Chiasson

Melissa Burroughs, an RCMP officer, was driving a marked police car westbound on First Avenue in the curb lane at Young Road in Chilliwack, B.C. She observed a truck pulling an uninsured trailer and attempted to pursue it by making a left turn onto Young. Jennifer Chiasson was driving eastbound on First Avenue and collided with the police vehicle in the intersection.

Mr. Justice Basran examined the law allowing the officer to disregard the traffic rules and found that in these circumstances the officer should not have attempted to turn left at the intersection and did not take the necessary steps to ensure that it was safe to proceed. She was found to be 100% liable for the collision.

Link:

• Read the Reasons for Judgment - Burroughs v Chiasson