Increasing Pedestrian Safety in Vancouver

Posted on by Graham Taylor Posted in Rules of the RoadTagged ,

Summer is coming to an end, but for those with children this can be an exciting time as students head back to school this September. For B.C. drivers, this means we are sharing the road with more pedestrians, as many more children are out and about walking to and from school.

According to the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC), on average 290 children aged five to eighteen are injured in motor vehicle collisions every year and 5 children are killed in such accidents. This is despite several measures taken to increase pedestrian saftey (including higher tickets for speeding in school zones) and information made available on high pedestrian collision intersections. Additionally, ICBC provides free road safety materials to B.C. schools to increase pedestrian safety.

Pedestrians that take precautions to keep safe still face some risk of becoming injured in a motor vehicle accident. To improve pedestrian safety in … Continue reading

Common Driving Challenges for Seniors in B.C.

Posted on by Brian Jacobson Posted in Rules of the RoadTagged

Seniors are often the most experienced drivers on the road and driving can be a source of freedom and independence in retirement. However, as we get older we are also more vulnerable to accidents on the road due to age-related changes which can impact our vision, alertness and confidence. The ratio of drivers age 81 or over of “at fault” collisions exceeds “not at fault” collisions by 2.5 times, according to the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles, reported in Dixon v. B.C. (Ministry of Justice), 2013 BCHRT 92 (CanLII).

According to the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), seniors are more likely to have collisions because of slower reaction times and when making left-hand turns, merging, going on roundabouts, driving at night and driving in bad weather. To prevent motor vehicle accident collisions it is important to be vigilant about these common driving challenges for seniors and to try reduce or prevent the … Continue reading

Driver Fatigue and Road Accidents in B.C.

Posted on by David Goldberg Posted in Rules of the RoadTagged

Driver fatigue is a problem that routinely plagues Canadian roads. A 2007 survey on road safety found that about 60 percent of Canadian drivers admitted that they occasionally drove while fatigued, and a further 15 percent of respondents admitted that they had fallen asleep while driving during the past year. These numbers are extremely troubling.

Fatigued or drowsy driving can take the form of physical and/or mental fatigue and occur as a result of the monotony or repetitiveness of the driving environment or after driving for extended periods without a break. In some cases, the fatigue is a function of the human body’s natural circadian rhythm or “sleep-wake” cycle. Most people feel sleepy twice a day (at night and in the afternoon). Drivers that operate a vehicle during these times are more likely to feel drowsy and can be at higher risk of causing a road accident or car accident… Continue reading

Child Car Seat Safety

Posted on by Ben Tarnow Posted in Rules of the RoadTagged

Not many trips are as nerve wracking for parents than that first drive home from the hospital with your new child.  Having a properly installed child car seat in good working order can not only bring comfort to a parent, but it can be the difference between a minor injury and a major one.

Buying a Car Seat

The most important thing when choosing a car seat for your child is making sure it’s appropriate for your child’s age, height and weight in accordance with the B.C. Motor Vehicle Act.  Car seats are usually divided into the following groups:

  • Infants/toddlers (to 20lbs);
  • Toddlers/preschool (between 20-40lbs); and
  • Children weighing over 40lbs who are under 9 years of age or 4’9”” tall.

When buying a car seat it’s important to compare the various brands and make sure you’re getting your money’s worth.  Always look for the CMVSS sticker which will let … Continue reading

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Posted on by Brian Jacobson Posted in Rules of the RoadTagged

Travelling by motorcycle can be a fun, fuel efficient way to travel that puts you in touch with nature, but it can also come with some risks:

Increased Volume of Traffic

As everyone who lives in British Columbia has become painstakingly aware, there are significantly more vehicles on the road nowadays, the majority of them cars and trucks.  This leads to more accidents occurring and a huge increase in risk to motorcyclists, especially those who use their motorcycle to commute to and from work.

Disregard for Motorcyclists

One thing that hasn’t changed is cars and trucks failing to pay proper attention to motorcyclists and respect them as motorists.  Rear-ending accidents commonly result from this and can result in serious injuries.  Always drive defensively when operating a motorcycle.

Road Conditions

While part of the allure of operating a motorcycle in British Columbia is getting in touch with nature, one can’t overlook … Continue reading