In British Columbia we are required to drive on the right hand half of the roadway. This rule applies even when we are the only driver on the road at the time. When we fail to keep right crashes like this head on collision in Richmond are the result.
The collision occurred between two vehicles driven by Wasanthi Naidu and Xu Xia Zhong on Blundell Road between #6 and Sidaway Roads. Both drivers claim that the other was on the wrong side of the road at the time of the crash.
Ms. Naidu
Ms. Naidu said that she was driving eastbound along Blundell Road approaching Number 6 road. She observed Ms. Zhong turn right onto Blundell from Number 6. The extra wide turn resulted in Ms. Zhong being on the wrong side of the road.
Ms. Naidu tried to avoid the crash by moving to the left because the ditch on the right was full of water. She was unable to move out of the way and a head on crash took place.
Ms. Zhong
Ms. Zhong said that she had turned right from Blundell onto Number 6 and did not cross the centre line. She was in her lane when Ms. Naidu's vehicle failed to keep right, straying into her lane. The collision was not avoidable.
Expert Evidence
Craig Brown is a mechanical engineer with experience in collision reconstruction. Based on the scuff marks left on the road surface he concluded that the two vehicle collided in the westbound lane of Blundell Road. Ms. Zhong had failed to keep right as required.
Failed to Keep Right
Madam Justice Francis examines the duty of a driver to keep right, passing when meeting a vehicle and the rules regarding highway lines in resolving the dispute.
She found that Ms. Naidu crossed the center line and is solely liable for the collision.
Learn More
- Read the Reasons for Judgment - Naidu v Zhong
- Driver on the Right - Section 150 MVA
- Driving on Laned Roadway - Section 151 MVA
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