Preparing for trial? Request disclosure.

Behind the Wheel –

I’m always amazed at the amount of poorly qualified or outright incorrect information on the web when I search for traffic enforcement related information. One popular topic that seems especially mistreated is disclosure of the Crown’s evidence prior to trial. The authors of the articles would have you believe that you should ask for everything, including the brand of ink in the officer’s pen, and when any of it is refused the ticket will automatically be dismissed. [Read more]

BC gets 'aggressive' with road safety

Road crash victims remembered.

Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

B.C. is moving ahead with an aggressive road safety campaign to prevent the crashes that kill an average of 424 British Columbians each year, Solicitor General Kash Heed said today as B.C. marked its second National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims.

“The cost of road crashes to individuals and families is immeasurable, with hundreds dead every year and another 4,000 seriously injured,” said Heed. “We owe it to the memory of those who have lost their lives to be smarter about driving by wearing seatbelts, staying sober, and simply paying more attention to the road.” [Read more]

BC to register quads, regulate use

BC manages off-road vehicles.

Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts.

Rules for off-road vehicle registration and licensing, helmet use, youth safety and environmental measures will be implemented over the next two years under a new off-road vehicle (ORV) management framework, announced Tourism, Culture and the Arts Minister Kevin Krueger today. [Read more]

Paramedic pay rates — what are they really?

Following the introduction of legislation to force paramedics back to work, the province will establish a commission of inquiry to help resolve the long stand-off between the government and workers.

While the government claims that full-time parametics earn between $64K and $91K per year, MLA Macdonald says that they “get paid less than Tim Horton’s workers.” [Read more]

Two or four winter tires?

Behind the Wheel –

I began driving my own car in the mid-fifties and I always used winter tires on the rear only during the winter months. Based on about thirty years of experience, I feel that I am quite capable of managing winter driving with the traction arrangement I had for rear drive in the past. However, I am not interested in contravening any law or regulation. Is there a law that requires me to have winter tires on all 4 wheels of my new rear wheel drive only pickup?

Based on my experience as a collision analyst, I can tell you that any vehicle will steer more predictably if the traction at each wheel is the same. Whether you choose to use four all season tires or four winter tires is up to you, but operating with two all season tires on one end and two winter tires on the other is an invitation to problems. Mixing tire types will affect both steering and braking. [Read more]

Cell calls and texting banned while driving

BCAA applauds new cellphone legislation; suggests drivers start to comply with the new rules now.

The British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA) is applauding the provincial government in introducing legislation to restrict the use of hand-held cellphones and other portable electronic devices while driving, and asks drivers: “why not start now?”

The law, which comes into effect January 1, 2010, requires that: [Read more]

Proper display of licence plates

Behind the Wheel –

I was wondering if it was the law in B.C. to display both license plates on a vehicle? I see a lot of vehicles with only the rear license plate.

The humble licence plate has but one job, positively identifying the vehicle it is attached to. Without license plates, how would we know who owned the vehicle? How would you complain about an erratic driver or report your stolen vehicle? Photo enforcement would be stymied and even the lowly parking ticket would have difficulty. [Read more]

Bill C-6, a loss of fundamental freedoms

Shawn Buckley, constitutional lawyer and president of Natural Health and Products Protection Association (www.nhppa.org) explains that Bill C-6, the Consumer Protection Act, should be stopped because it sets a dangerous legal precedent that would restrict basic freedoms.

In this presentation, he explains why Canadians should be worried, kicking and screaming against Bill C-6, a legislation that will take away our rights and freedoms, and give more power to the government (Health Canada). Buckley presents the truth about Bill C-6 and the loss of our fundamental freedom in Canada if the bill passes.

Free-choice activists challenge pandemic plans

“We’re not gonna take it” — Second Vancouver anti-forced-vaccination demostration.

The Vaccine Resistance Movement, an organization against mandatory vaccination and supporting the right to vaccination free choice, held its second public demonstration in Vancouver. [Read more]

Campfire ban lifted in Columbia Valley

Campfire ban rescinded in parts of the Southeast Fire Centre.

Effective at noon today, and until further notice, small, controlled campfires are again permitted in the Rocky Mountain, Kootenay Lake, and Columbia Forest Districts, and in the Arrow Fire Zone.

The campfire ban remains in place in the Boundary Fire Zone. Category 1, 2 and 3 fire bans, including a ban on fireworks and burning barrels, remain in place across the entire Southeast Fire Centre.

The Boundary Fire Zone, where campfires are not permitted, is bordered by the Okanagan Highland Range of the Monashee Mountains to the west, the height of land along the Christina Range to the east, and the Canada-U.S. border to the south. It encompasses most of the Kettle River and Granby River drainages. [Read more]