You can't always proceed just because the light is green

No going on green

Photo: Pixabay

A green light at an intersection does not always mean traffic can proceed.

A green traffic signal doesn't always mean go

The next time you are at the front of a lineup of vehicles waiting for a green light, watch the driver beside you.

Many times, when the traffic signal turns green, they will immediately proceed without looking to the left or right for hazards or traffic already lawfully in the intersection.

Just because the light has turned green, it does not mean you can go. It may be unsafe to proceed or you may still have to yield right of way to other traffic already present in the intersection.

There are three situations where drivers facing a green light must not proceed immediately. Most people already follow these three exceptions but failing to take them into account can cause confusion or a crash.

The first is a situation where turning direction controls are in place. The driver may only proceed as indicated by these signals.

The second is where there is a pedestrian lawfully in the intersection or adjacent crosswalk at the time the signal is green. Drivers must yield to those pedestrians.

The final situation is where a vehicle has entered the intersection, is waiting to turn and was been unable to do so before the signal turned red. Cross-traffic on the new green signal must yield right of way to allow the first vehicle to clear the intersection.

Always do a 180-degree scan of any intersection before entering it. Unless you are turning left, you must be able to clear the intersection before you proceed.

Don't be pressured by other drivers to go before it is safe.

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

Driving the wrong way on divided highways

Danger of going wrong way

Photo: Pixabay

Driving the wrong way on a highway can be a fatal mistake.

It is fortunate that one type of collision is relatively rare because the consequences are severe. I am speaking of driving the wrong way on a divided highway or freeway.

We received a driving complaint about once a month for someone driving on the wrong side of the Inland Island Highway (on Vancouver Island) when I worked for the B.C. Highway Patrol in Parksville.

The most frequent reasons for travelling the wrong way include impaired driving, attempts at suicide and genuine confusion. Other reasons can include age, mental defect or disease and confusing signage. One study I read indicated some Do Not Enter signs were posted too high to be in the normal scanning path of older drivers.

So, how do you protect yourself from a wrong way driver? Travel in the right lane except when passing, as it is most likely the wrong-way driver will be in the lane to your left. If you don't have daytime running lights, turn on your headlights. Scan well ahead at all times andwear your seat belt properly.

What to do if you encounter a wrong-way driver? Move to the right, onto the shoulder and stop. Reducing the closing speed of the vehicles and not taking the collision forces directly head on will improve chances for survival.

I used the Injury Data Online Tool (iDOT) hosted by the B.C. Injury Research and Prevention Unit. The tool does not allow selection of a divided highway road type, but choosing a speed between 110 kilometres per hour and 120 kilometres per hour would likely limit the results appropriately. Between 2002 and 2021 there were six deaths and 19 injuries cause by wrong-way driving.

Total wrong side collision statistics for all highways in the province include 598 deaths and 5059 injuries.

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

Drivers need to learn to share the road better with other drivers

Time to drive better

Photo: Ministry of Transportation

Sharing the road with other drivers means consideration of those drivers.

A message in the DriveSmartBC inbox says there is an incredible shortage of common sense about the practicalities of driving and many people seem unable to think clearly any more. It adds, you cannot get people to drive better just by saying "drive better".

I think the problem of poor driving habits and some of the emotional and health issues (fatigue, stress, aggression, time shortage) behind bad driving are more of a social problem.

This writer’s observations are something I have often commented on. Many drivers seem to say, "I'm important, you are not. I'm in a hurry, get out of my way" when they are behind the wheel.

Hiding in their steel cocoon, they are anonymous and to some extent, so is everyone else present on the highway.

Perhaps we think that because we don't know each other and probably won't ever meet face to face. We don't have to extend social courtesies to each other.

Witness a long line of cars that have merged into one lane well before an adjacent lane is closed due to construction. There is nothing unlawful with using the lane that is going to be closed until the point where it is actually closed.

But try it. Drivers will move to block you, open their doors to prevent you passing and wave in a very unfriendly manner. They are waiting, you should too. It’s another social faux pas.

How do we change the social outlook of a driver? As a police officer, I had only education and enforcement to use in conjunction with the Ministry of Transportation's engineering solutions. It was not a simple task and I often wondered if I was making a difference at all.

I hoped I did.

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

Important to remain calm around aggressive drivers

Surviving an unsafe pass

Photo: UbiCar Insurance

When sharing the road with aggressive drivers, it's important to remain calm.

Sharing the road with aggressive or unsafe drivers can be both upsetting and dangerous.

One common hazard is being involved in an unsafe pass, whether it's on a two-lane highway, during heavy traffic or in poor weather conditions. Staying calm and making smart, defensive choices in those situations can help you stay safe and avoid being part of a crash.

First, never engage with, or challenge, the unsafe driver. If someone is tailgating or trying to pass aggressively, resist the urge to speed up or block their path. That can escalate the situation and increase the risk for everyone involved. Instead, maintain a steady speed, signal early if you're changing lanes and allow them to pass safely when possible.

If the driver is passing in a corner, in poor visibility or against oncoming traffic, be prepared to take evasive action. Slow down slightly to give them more room and reduce the risk of a collision. Keep a close eye on your mirrors and blind spots, and give yourself extra space in case the other driver swerves back unexpectedly.

Avoid distractions. It is not the time to use your phone or adjusting the radio. Your full attention should be on the road and the erratic driver. If you're being followed by an aggressive driver after they make an unsafe pass, consider pulling into a public area or notify police.

Finally, take a moment to breathe. Unsafe drivers are frustrating, but keeping your cool helps you stay in control. Remember, your goal is to get to your destination safely, not to win a competition on the road.

Defensive driving, patience and awareness are your best tools. While you can’t control how others drive, you can control how you respond and that can make all the difference.

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