VIDEO - How to Clean Your Windshield

VideoMy windshield seems to have two visible areas, the one swept by the wipers and all the rest. You can clearly see them when you look across it at an angle. I've never been able to really clean the glass so that it is the same overall. I found this video and it seems to be the OCD Guide to Cleaning Glass, but I want to give it a try. Being able to see well, especially in bad weather, is critical to safe driving.

VIEWPOINT - Ask the accident-and-ticket-free drivers for driving tips

SoapboxBeing a BC driver for 50 years and never had a ticket nor caused an accident, why doesn't the Motor Safety Branch ask me about my driving techniques and attitudes?

I bet there are others in my category that could help other drivers be better drivers.

Better hurry, though, I'm getting in the "Senior" category, too!

Bring Back Automated Speed Enforcement

SoapboxAccording to B.C.'s new 10 Year Transportation Plan, safety on British Columbia’s highways and side roads is the ministry’s number-one priority. Four pages of the 56 page report are dedicated to the topic. Aside from physical infrastructure improvements and singling out left lane hogs for special attention, only the slow down move over law is mentioned. My wish is that the province would bring back automated speed enforcement.

Q&A - Passenger Zones in Victoria

no parking signI received 5 parking tickets about 2 hours apart each on a work day right outside of my apartment. It is a quiet residential area, and I parked at the curbside where it stated residential parking. I was told by my building manager that it is okay to park there. What I found strange is a section cutoff by a very simple sign states Passenger zone. I have seen my neighbours park there and not got ticketed.

CASE LAW - McQuillan v Dean

BC Courts Coat of ArmsThis case involves a collision that occurred on Quarry Road in Coquitlam, B.C. Todd McQuillan stopped the Chevrolet Aveo he was driving on the shoulder just past the crest of a hill in order to photograph a bear that had crossed the road in front of him. Madam Justice Gray found that it was possible that part of the vehicle was in the travelled part of the lane. The road has a posted speed of 50 km/h.

Q&A - Didn't Obey Police Direction

Q&A ImageI was talking on the phone while driving. Guilty. However, while at a red light a cop in plain clothes came up to me and told me to pull over to the bus stop. I had know idea who this dude was and said as much. He flashed a badge and said "Victoria Police" and walked to the curb. I drove away wondering if he actually was a cop, thinking he probably was but continued on.

CASE LAW - R v Malcolm

BC Courts Coat of ArmsKenneth Malcolm wanted by. He sped up and tailgated a vehicle in the fast lane. When it didn't move out of his way, he changed to the slow lane, overtook and tailgated the vehicle there. That driver braked briefly so that both vehicles had to slow, eventually dropping behind the vehicle that Mr. Malcolm initially hoped would get out of his way.

Keep Right Except to Pass Law Changes Coming?

Keep Right SignThe Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure has announced changes to the Motor Vehicle Act to make it easier for police to prosecute slow drivers using the fast lane on B.C.'s highways. The promised changes will occur later this spring according to Todd Stone, but there does not appear to be any indication of this in current first reading bills. Perhaps the first question that needs to be asked is whether or not this is really a significant cause of collisions and deserving of increased enforcement.

WEB SITE - Cycling in Cities

UBC LogoThis web site, part of the University of British Columbia School of Population and Public Health, describes itself as "a research program investigating factors that encourage or discourage bicycling, transportation infrastructure associated with increased or decreased risks of cycling injuries, and air pollution and cycling."