Equipment

Information on specific vehicle equipment.

Q&A - Adding Extra Reflectors

Q&A ImageI drive a Toyota Corolla sedan and a lot of time do night driving. For the safety of me, my family and other road users, Can I stick additional red reflecting tape (that’s available in Canadian Tire) on the rear bumper of my car? I did a search on Google but I did not get a definitive answer.

Q&A - More Light Needed

Q&A ImageFor me, the high beams on my '95 and '96 Dodge Ram trucks are inadequate. Certainly, this likely has something to do with my being 73. I avoid driving in the dark, but sometimes I must. I keep both the inside and the outside of my windshield clean, and the pitting from sand, etc is minimal.

Q&A - Candlepower Restrictions

Q&A ImageIt used to be that there was a candle power restriction for vehicles but these days none.  I was driving along the other day and an approaching car had the high beam on.  I flashed my high beam in hopes they would switch to low beam but no.  As the car drew closer I was being blinded and had to slow down. 

Be Smart About Vehicle Modifications

image showing vehicle modificationsThere are many different types of vehicle manufactured today in many different models and colours with a host of accessories to make your ride just right for you. For some of us, this just isn't enough and we want to modify our vehicles to suit our personalities and desires. Some of these vehicle modifications are unique and permitted by law, but some are unsafe and will put you in conflict with vehicle safety rules.

Can't I Just....

police officer writing ticketExpired drivers licenses, no lights, no trailer brakes, a little to much to drink and you are being told to park your vehicle at the roadside and this is the end of your journey. Can't I just drive home? I’m only few blocks away....

CASE LAW - Regina v Dolson

BC Courts Coat of ArmsThis case is out of Kamloops, B.C. where Philip Dolson disputed a violation ticket for operating his Jeep without proper doors. In this instance he had replaced the OEM doors on his vehicle with Adventure Doors manufactured by Warrior Products. These are tube doors described by the manufacturer as "Designed to replace the vehicle’s full or half doors, Adventure Doors provide additional protection to front seat occupants while off-roading."

PHOTOS OF CONCERN - Tires Too Wide for Vehicle Body

cameraHere is an example of tires that are too wide for the body of this pickup.

Section 7.06 of the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations requires that every vehicle, trailer and semi-trailer not constructed so that the spray and splash of water and mud to the rear of the vehicle is minimized shall be equipped with mudguards and, if necessary, mudflaps.

Q&A - Chain Requirements

Q&A ImageHave all wheel drive and four wheel drive pickup new f150. Mud and snow rated tires. Does this truck require chains on all wheels when chain up signs are on. Truck can be switched from two wheel drive to these options. Are chains just needed for the rears?

READING - Lighting and Safe Driving

Arrive Alive LogoArrive Alive is South Africa's road safety awareness web site. The page titled Lighting and Safe Driving is an interesting read  as it explains a very complex subject in layman's terms. How our eyes work, what kind of light we see best by and how that affects our ability to drive safely when it is dark makes interesting reading.

Backup and Docking Lights

Backup LightsAs is often the case, today's article comes from what I see around me as I drive. I was passed by a cube van with one white floodlight on the right rear illuminated. The driver of a truck tractor with no trailer pulled in front of him using the right lane and flashed his backup and docking lamps a few times.