DriveSmartBC is an independent British Columbia road safety resource created and maintained by Tim Schewe, a retired Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer with 25 years of policing experience, including extensive service in traffic enforcement and technical collision investigation.
The goal of DriveSmartBC is simple: to provide accurate, understandable information about the laws, practices and principles that help make our roads safer for everyone.
An independent review of DriveSmartBC recognizes the site's focus on practical road safety information, detailed explanations and examples drawn from real-world situations.
Watch the YouTube review of DriveSmartBC and its road safety resources
A History of Sharing Road Safety Information
DriveSmartBC evolved from an earlier website called "Behind the Wheel," which I created to share information about traffic law and road safety in British Columbia. As the site grew, it was rebuilt in 2008 to make it easier to maintain, update and expand.
During the years that followed, I continued sharing transportation safety information through a variety of channels, including my "Bear's View" column in Pro-Trucker/Driver's Choice magazine and participation in online driving communities where I answered questions about traffic laws, driving practices and road safety issues.
While the technology and format have changed over the years, the purpose has remained the same: providing practical, reliable information to help people become safer and more responsible road users.
Weekly Articles
The centrepiece of DriveSmartBC is the weekly article, which examines topics related to traffic law, driving practices, road design, collision prevention and other aspects of road safety. Articles are based on British Columbia legislation, the Criminal Code, research, professional experience and observations gathered through many years of involvement in traffic safety.
Articles often use examples from real-world situations and collision investigations to explain not only what the law requires, but why those requirements matter in everyday driving.
DriveSmartBC articles are also shared with a wider audience through various media outlets. Some Black Press publications feature DriveSmartBC articles, and other publications, including Castanet, have republished articles for their readers.
Readers are encouraged to ask questions, share their experiences and provide feedback. These conversations help make DriveSmartBC more than a collection of articles by creating an opportunity for discussion and continued learning.
My Experience
My background includes 25 years of policing service with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Five years were spent in general duty policing, followed by 20 years specializing in traffic enforcement and collision investigation. During that time, I also served as a collision analyst responsible for conducting technical investigations of serious collisions.
I retired from policing in 2006 but continue to be actively involved in road safety education through DriveSmartBC, presentations and community programs.
Connecting With Road Users
Over the years, I have participated in online driving communities, answering questions and discussing traffic laws, driving practices and road safety issues with road users. These discussions provided valuable insight into the questions, misunderstandings and challenges that people face as they learn to share the road safely.