VIDEO - Safe Following Distance

VideoThis video from Young Drivers of Canada shows the safest following distance on the road and how to adjust this distance depending on the road conditions. Maintaining a safe following distance does not appear to be a skill that is practised by a majority of drivers today and the video is a good refresher on a skill that you should be practising without fail whenever you drive.

CASE LAW - Dahlke v Davidson

BC Courts Coat of ArmsThe case of Dahlke v Davidson involves a collision that occurred on Centre Street between Pacific and Royal Avenues in White Rock. Kelby Dahlke was parked at the curb of Centre Street facing southbound and wanted to join traffic. Heather Davidson was approaching his parked position, not fully paying attention to driving. When Mr. Dahlke lurched into traffic Ms. Davidson did not react immediately and a collision resulted.

Are You Driving a Snowdrift?

Car Driven Covered With SnowNow that the snow has arrived I've noticed so many drivers who don't clean off their vehicles. The wiper blade is the only cleaning tool used before driving and frankly that's a collision waiting to happen. Then there are the vehicles behind them who get the blowing snow off the roof and trunk of the vehicle.

Q&A - Reserved Lane Use

Bicycle Lane SignQUESTION: I have been driving home on Rupert Street in Vancouver lately and there are some lane markings I am not clear about. Between 12th ave and about Kingsway there is a narrow right hand lane that has a bicycle and a white diamond, there is no other signage. Are motorcycles allowed to use this lane because they regularly do.

Bad Manners at the Stop Sign

Stop SignMirror, signal left, brake and stop before the marked stop line. Look left, look right and the pickup that was following behind stops ahead of me on my right, half on and half off the roadway, to make a right turn. Of course, I can't see cross traffic to my right properly, so he gets to go before I do.

RESEARCH - Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon Effectiveness

Pedestrian CrossingThe University of Vermont Civil and Environmental Engineering faculty has published a report on the efficacy of rectangular rapid flashing pedestrian crossing beacons (RRFB) for the Vermont Agency of Transportation. The report reviews previous literature on the effectiveness of the beacons and then applied their own observational research to evaluate the effectiveness of RRFBs in small towns and rural areas.