Police

I used to smile when I saw closely spaced traffic, a large gap, a police vehicle, another large gap and finally more closely spaced traffic. Everyone is afraid of the cop I thought. Having spent 25 years driving a marked police vehicle I recognize both that I rarely see this anymore and that it was a wise thing to do. Police vehicles often make unexpected starts, stops and turns.

Having spent 20 years in traffic enforcement I'm always curious if I will see any of it being done when I travel on our highways. Unfortunately I have to say that I very rarely see a police vehicle in my travels, much less one stopped at the side of the road dealing with a driver.

It has always struck me that warning of a speed trap is a violation no different to being an accessory to a crime by warning the bank robber that the police are coming. Certainly very difficult to enforce.

And to take it a step further, what about radio stations that warn drivers over the air of speed enforcement areas. Could they increase the scope of what they perceive as public service to include DUI stop checks?

The publisher's commentary in the January 2013 edition of Blue Line Magazine takes a position that I strongly agree with. The police are responsible for traffic safety. If there are no consequences for bad driving behaviour, then there is no need to behave properly.

Does a person being investigated for committing an offence under the Motor Vehicle Act have to provide their full name and address to the officer who demands it? It is an offence under the Criminal Code of Canada to obstruct an officer in the execution of their duty. A jaywalker in North Vancouver learned this the hard way.

Question: I just a call from a trucker this morning whose friend (also a truck driver) had her log book and ferry receipts taken by an officer at a road block who then refused to give them back to her. Is this a standard policy from your recollection?

Question: I got a speeding warning by the police yesterday. He said my speed was over 60, but I am sure I was not driving over 60. I worry if the warning was put on the computer or not. If it is kept on record,it's not fair for me. I even don't have the chance to dispute for it.

I'm just wondering if the computers inside police cars have access to all of icbc's driving records and database?

Question: I am very upset by the long waits at roadblocks. It is infuriating how the police will inconvenience a line of cars for 15-20 minutes (say on the Malahat) and close a major highway.

We live in a small town up north with the RCMP are well known to be rude, aggressive and ...obnoxious. My 25 year old son was teaching my 21 year old son how to drive a standard last night...my younger son stalled on the road and tried to get the car started and stalled a couple of more times - he was more nervous also because there was a police car behind him.