Detecting Drug Impaired Driving

marihuana leafDetecting and successfully prosecuting drug impaired drivers on B.C.'s highways is not a simple task. Currently the Criminal Code provisions for Drug Recognition Expert examination is the only method used to qualify drug induced impairment where the driver is not obviously incapable of physical control. One day in the not too distant future, the Cannabix marihuana breathalyzer may allow police to deal with the problem though a roadside breath test just as they would an alcohol impaired driver.

Young Driver Deaths: BC Coroners Service

SoapboxThe BC Coroners Service released recommendations today with the hope of mitigating something that we are already aware of, the fact that motor vehicle collisions are the number one cause of death for youth aged 15 to 18. The first two suggest that we study aspects of the issue in more detail and the third that the Ministry of Justice should develop and implement automated speed enforcement.

PHOTOS OF CONCERN - Bald Tires

cameraWhile this tire may have adequate traction on dry pavement, add a little bit of water and you have a recipe for disaster. This is a photo contributed by a police officer who found this vehicle during his patrols. It can only be described as neglect and it is likely that the driver failed to consider his own safety much less that of others on the roadway with him.

Q&A - Are Police Qualified to Decide on Noisy Exhausts?

Q&A ImageIs a Police officer also an inspector under the motor vehicle regulations? For noisy exhausts it is the opinion of the inspector that seems to critical in determining whether the vehicle exhaust is too noisy.

So it would be great if a police officer could issue a ticket or a notice to correct just based on their opinion, which should be just more useful than trying to do decibel testing.

Was I Ready to Learn to Drive?

Young Drivers of Canada LogoBe careful what you ask for! I needed a topic to write about here so I sent a message to DriveSmartBC followers on Twitter and asked for suggestions. The one that intrigued me the most came from fellow road safety blogger Scott Marshall, the Director of Training for Young Drivers of Canada. He asked if, when I learned to drive, was I really ready?

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 - Two Tickets for One Crash

crash cartoonI was given a ticket after I alledgedly hit a parked car with no one inside.

I was first given a ticket for breaking section 68(1) for hitting this vehicle. Several days later a different officer of the Port Moody police came back and gave me a second ticket for breaking section 68(2). These 2 tickets were given to me for the one single alledged offense. They both have the same date as well.