For the sake of making my point, I'm going to divide traffic rule violators into three categories; those that don't know the rules, those that make honest mistakes and those who are selfish and don't think about what their actions might result in. I know that I try my best not to be in the first category and despite my best efforts am occasionally part of the second category. Hopefully I am never in the last category.

The holder of a valid BC driver's licence should not be included in the first category. When we are licensed we are expected to know the rules and keep up with them even as they change. That is not always easy to do, but worth the effort because you cannot use "I didn't know!" as a defence in traffic court.

We all make mistakes, even when we don't want to. I accept that and try not to repeat them when I find that I am the culprit. I am very fortunate that I have not had to ask for someone's forgiveness, nor give it, through involvement in a significant traffic incident. Thank goodness!

This leaves us with the last group, those that don't want to be bothered to follow the rules unless it suits them to. Individuality, civil disobedience, I should be able to do this and other justifications have no place on our highways, they lead to collisions and they hurt people. If you drive like this, shame on you! Perhaps if you hear this often enough from others you will consider not being a bad example.

The author is a retired constable with many years of traffic law enforcement experience. To comment or learn more, please visit www.drivesmartbc.ca.