Test Driving Vehicle

Q: I recently heard of an incident where someone was test driving their own uninsured vehicle in their neighborhood after completing some repairs at home. While on this test drive the uninsured vehicle was run off the road by another vehicle who had ran a stop sign. The vehicle that ran the stop sign took off without stopping after witnessing the accident
he/she had caused. Who is liable for the damage to the uninsured car that was run off the road?

A: No vehicle is permitted to use a roadway without insurance regardless of the circumstances. If a vehicle is involved directly or indirectly in a motor vehicle collision, the uninsured vehicle registered owner is out the monies for his or her damage if the vehicle is being driven on a roadway. As far as the other vehicle causing a collision, this is considered a hit and run.

Duty of driver at accident
Section 68 (1) of the Motor Vehicle Act indicates that the driver or operator or any other person in charge of a vehicle that is, directly or indirectly, involved in an accident on a highway must do all of the following:
(a) remain at or immediately return to the scene of the accident
(b) render all reasonable assistance
(c) produce in writing to any other driver involved in the accident and to anyone sustaining loss or injury, and, on request, to a peace officer or to a witness
(i) his or her name and address,
(ii) the name and address of the registered owner of the vehicle,
(iii) the licence number of the vehicle, and
(iv) particulars of the motor vehicle liability insurance card or financial responsibility card for that vehicle,
or such of that information as is requested.

No Insurance Offence
Section 24 (3) of the Motor Vehicle Act indicates that a person must not drive or operate a motor vehicle or trailer on a highway unless
(b) the motor vehicle and the trailer, if any, are insured under a valid and subsisting motor vehicle liability policy evidenced by an owner's certificate.

Constable R.A.(Richard) ASELTON
Central Okanagan Traffic Services - Media Liaison
Kelowna R.C.M.P. Detachment

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.