Speed

In 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.

I 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

I got a speeding ticket today at Georgia Viaduct and here is what happened: I was driving down Georgia St (middle lane) heading east.  Knowing that Georgia Viaduct is a speed trap (I received a ticket at the same spot two years ago), I stayed behind a Grey Mazda 3 and made sure I was within the speed limit (around 50km/hr).

Brendan McMullen was convicted of speeding against a municipal sign in Burnaby, B.C. on January 22, 2014. His vehicle's speed had been visually estimated at 90 km/h in the posted 60 km/h zone on the Lougheed Highway near the North Road intersection. The Judicial Justice of the Peace found Cst. Bayer's evidence of the speed to prove the Crown's case beyond a reasonable doubt.

I live on rural road in northern BC. The road has a speed limit of 80 kph. It is paved (seal coated), forested, winding with steep gradients, has steep drop-offs, has no lane markings, no pedestrian walkways, has lots of deer, elk, moose and bear crossing and has many hidden residential entrances.

Richard Kaiser was ticketed for failing to slow while passing a police car while that car’s emergency lights were activated. He disputed that ticket on two grounds, the regulation offended the Charter by being too vague and that the officer was merely making notes concerning a previous violator at the time and so had entrapped Mr. Kaiser. Judge Takahashi convicted Mr. Kaiser.

Friends of my parents were returning from Vancouver to Kelowna this past weekend and were pulled over for doing 44 km over the speed limit. It was a family of 4 returning from a hockey tourney. The officer said I could give you an excessive speeding ticket and have your car impounded.

In mid July I was driving on a rural back road on Vancouver Island, heading into town to do a few personal errands. The vehicle I was driving was a 2008 Toyota Sienna van. On this particular day it was my second time driving the van, and I was still not used to the amount of steering input that was required to turn it, as I had been driving a Civic since I got my Learners License. 

This publication from the Institut national de santé publique du Québec examines the health impact when drivers fail to follow the speed limit. It also reviews counteractive measures and identifies the need to redefine a comprehensive strategy aimed at reducing speed on Québec roads.

I was driving behind the RCMP Freeway Patrol officer, not realizing we were both driving the same speed (distance of my car and his car were constant) and also didn't realise he was a police officer as it was an unmarked vehicle. As soon as I realised he speeds up,  I continue at my speed and then he slows down to about 70KM/H and I slow down to 80KM/H and pass him on the left.