Behind the Wheel
Turning left when the traffic light is red
When I was relatively new to police work, I was patrolling behind a car that stopped at a red light with the left turn signal blinking. The next thing I knew,...
The rights and the duties of cyclists when riding on the road
"Are there rules for riding bicycles?" a reader asked after narrowly missing a collision with a bicyclist. "They seem to ride wherever they feel...
When changing lanes don't force traffic behind you to tailgate
I hope most drivers subscribe to the “two-second” rule under good driving conditions and increase the following distance when the situation is not...
International driving permits are not drivers' licences
Many people mistakenly call an international driving permit (IDP) an international driver's license. Their belief is that the IDP alone allows them to drive...
Pedestrians, protect yourselves when walking at night
Every year, an average of 52 pedestrians are killed and 2,400 are injured in collisions on B.C. roads. These incidents typically take place at night or when...
Things to remember when selling a vehicle
"Would you write about selling a vehicle? I have friends who sold a car and months later they received information that the car was in an impound lot. The...
When drivers say 'show me the radar reading'
"I want to see the radar / laser reading!" This was always a signal to me (as a police officer) that the traffic stop was going to be a difficult...
When police break the rules of the road it must be justified
I received this comment. “I want you to focus your writing on the driving behaviour of many police officers. I realize not all of them only follow the...
Moving licence plates not as simple as just using a screwdriver
Moving licence plates from one vehicle to another is not just a simple matter of being able to use a screwdriver. Many people run into trouble when they try to...
Tough penalties in B.C. for those caught street racing
An incident that took place in Surrey last month was headlined as “street racing,” which brings to mind the following questions: How is "street...
The rules for turning right at a red light
Here is another request from a reader, who writes: “If you have not commented on right turns at red lights you might want to consider it. I see so many...
Know the rules for carrying dogs in vehicles
Just mention the words "truck ride" and our dog becomes your shadow. Like most dogs, she refuses to be left behind when someone is going for a drive....
Getting into the issue of merging
One correspondent observed "It seems that drivers in B.C. generally have a big problem when it comes to merging. In this case let's say from two lanes...
Smart driving can save both fuel and lives
I wrote this article 14 years ago when gas prices rose by six cents a litre between leaving for work and driving home one day. The information I shared then...
Rules regarding proper display of vehicle licence plates
The humble licence plate has but one job, to positively identify the vehicle it is attached to. Without license plates, how would we know who owns the vehicle?...
There are rules to follow when turning at an intersection
Intersections are dangerous places. Yielding the right-of-way is probably the main concern, but the path you travel through and intersection is just as...
Explaining the rules about making u-turns on B.C. roads
I never know what I am going to receive in my e-mail regarding this column. Recently, it was a tongue-in-cheek request to save a marriage by settling a...
Entering an intersection on a new green ight
I watched the drivers on either side of me the other morning, on my way to work. We were stopped waiting for a red light and I could see that both of them were...
Rules of the road when it comes to passing on the left
According to Tuning Up For Drivers, on page 102, passing other vehicles is a manoeuvre that should be used sparingly. If you’re behind a vehicle...
Anti-lock brakes require a special technique for proper use
Anti-lock brakes (ABS) have gone from being a novelty to being present on most vehicles today. Have you read and understood the section of your vehicle...