Speed

Information related to vehicle speed and speeding.

VIEWPOINT - Lobbying for Vision Zero

SoapboxI am concerned about the increased speed limit on high way 19. Unfortunately , there have been 3 fatalities on this divided high way, within the Comox Valley, in the past month. Although I do not regularly drive high way 19, I have observed that  too many drivers travel faster than the 120 KPH posted speed limit. Some do not slow down during heavy rains or reduced visibility , treating the posted speed as the minimum.

Variable Speed Limit Signs

Variable Speed SignThe choice of a safe travel speed depending on the driving environment can be as varied as the number of drivers on the highway. I can recall responding to an injury crash on a icy divided highway where both the ambulance and I were using the left lane and all emergency warning equipment. Even with the urgency of the situation, travelling at 95 in the posted 110 km/h zone seemed to be appropriate to both of us.

CASE LAW - R v Zargarian

BC Courts Coat of ArmsThis is an appeal by Bahman Zargarian from his conviction by a Judicial Justice of the Peace in Provincial Court at Nanaimo on December 19, 2012. Mr. Zargarian's vehicle had been observed in traffic by a constable who visually determined that it was travelling faster than the posted speed limit of 50 km/h. Based on that observation, the constable stopped the vehicle and issued Mr. Zargarian, who was driving, a speeding ticket. Mr. Zargarian disputed the ticket and was convicted in provincial traffic court.

Rossland Slows Down

Map Showing Rossland BCThe City of Rossland has done something rare in our motor vehicle centric world where many drivers think that faster is better. Effective on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 the speed on municipal streets has been lowered to 30 km/h. Hmm you say, that's the same speed as a school zone. Well, not in Rossland, the speed there has been lowered too. It's 15 km/h in pick up areas and 20 km/h elsewhere. Interesting!

Bring Back Automated Speed Enforcement

SoapboxAccording to B.C.'s current Transportation Plan, Goal #1 is to better serve people from British Columbia, the Ministry is continuing to align transportation and land use to provide a safe, seamless and reliable transportation system across modes and jurisdictions. My wish is that the province would bring back automated speed enforcement.

Unsafe Speed on Gravel Road Crash

BC Courts Coat of Arms imageWhen we use the same road on a daily basis we soon learn how fast we can drive to maximize our speed based on the path that we travel. Sometimes the speed we choose becomes an unsafe speed when we fail to take into account that what is physically possible could be unsafe due to road conditions. This case determines liability for a crash that happened under these circumstances.

HUMAN FACTORS - Speeding

Speed DemonIn a public opinion survey of Canadian knowledge of and attitudes towards vehicle safety features, the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) found that a concerning 67.3% Canadians agree or strongly agree that vehicle safety improvements make being involved in a collision less likely, meaning that they can drive faster. In addition, 17.2% agreed or strongly agreed that they would drive the speed limit or faster if their vehicle had safety features, even though it was raining and they felt it might be risky to drive the speed limit.

Q&A - Slow Down Move Over Ticket

Q&A ImageI was caught by surprise, and although I realize ignorance of a law is no defence, I wonder how I might have known about this change in BC traffic law.  I had moved away from BC in 2001, not returning until 2012.  When I returned to BC in 2012, I was given a BC drivers licence again, but no info about any changes in traffic regulations which had happened while I was away.  Apparently in 2009 or so, MVA Regulation