It won`t end here. That 21 yr old will end up suing whoever`s place he just came from.
It`s a suing society nowadays. Nobody ever takes responsibility for their own actions anymore.

Perhaps being sued is just a business cost. After all the “hospitality” business was justifiably up in arms about the badly written drinking driving laws, but if everyone was given a breathalizer as they they drove out of the parking lot, I think the bars would be pretty quiet

The problem with todays society is that very few people take responsibility for their actions. This person chose to drive, therefore, he is responsible.

The sad thing is this could of been the result of someone texting and driving. One is a criminal offense the other isn’t.

UNHBC ? See. The name even confuses people that use it all the time.

Had an encounter with a similar black jacked up Pickup on Westwood a few Weeks ago, he came around Sears making Donuts on Westwood then racing down the Street, I went halve up the Sidewalk to let him fly by, the Plates all covered in Dirt.

NoWay: the article clearly states that, “Police are recommending charges of Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle and Impaired Operation Over .08.”

I think “noway” understands that. His point is this could have just as easily been caused by texting. One results in $167 fine and insurance covers you, the other is a criminal offense and you insurance is void. Not to make light of drinking and driving but the penalty for texting etc is a joke.

Guess the guy hasn’t heard the Vancouver cop’s story that after you hit someone you’re supposed to run home, down a couple shots of vodka, then return to the scene.

He will get his vehicle impounded and probably not even lose his license. I feel bad for our RCMP nailing a numb nuts like this and because of screwed up drinking/driving laws that protect criminals rather than the public he will walk. So disheartening.

I wonder whether people are directionally challenged.

When one is southbound (actually at that spot westbound) on Massey, one has to turn right, not left, to get access to the parking lot at the skateboard park and tennic courts.

Since one typically does not have to stop to get access from the right lane to turn right, I assume that the stopped vehicle was actually northbound (sitting in an eastern direction at that point), hopefully with the turn signal on well in advance in preparation of making that left turn.

However, I am not sure whether that turn signal was actually on in a timely manner. Why? If it were, and there was no one driving in the right lane at that time, cars would normally move to the right lane to get passed the vehicle stopping to make a left turn.

The truck may have been following too closely and did not have time to stop, but interestingly appears to have tried to avoid the stopped cars, but too late.

Was alcohol a factor? Most likely.

Was speed a factor? Possibly, although it does not say so.

Were poor driving habits of the other drivers a factor. I suspect they may have been.

FOr example

1. Was the turn signal engaged in a timely fashion. To not do so early enough for others to take appropriate action is a common bad habit in PG.

2. Did cars keep right unless passing other vehicles? That is a very common bad driving habit in PG.

3. Were cars following too closely to react quickly enough for unexpected movement in the vehicle ahead.

Probably most of the things you mentioned Gus. I’m simply going to say he’s just another knob of a driver. The type that won’t even touch the brakes when flying by cross-walks wondering why all the other traffic stopped.

“1. Was the turn signal engaged in a timely fashion. To not do so early enough for others to take appropriate action is a common bad habit in PG”

Poor signaling is a problem anywhere you find motor vehicles not just in PG.

“2. Did cars keep right unless passing other vehicles? That is a very common bad driving habit in PG”

Nothing wrong or illegal about it unless there are signs posted. There aren’t any on Massey.
Where there are signs posted that say “keep right except to pass” and people don’t is a problem anywhere motor vehicles are found not just in PG.

In the location where the driver was turning left there is a solid centerline. You are permitted to turn left there only if you will not be slowing traffic coming from behind you.
The left turning driver broke the law. Did he/she get a ticket as well?

There is another 21 year old that will lose his lisence and be unemployable. Might not have been anyway!

Have I missed something, twice over the legal Limit = “Drunk”

NoWay:”The sad thing is this could of been the result of someone texting and driving. One is a criminal offense the other isn’t.”

If people don’t smarten up and stop using hand held phones for talking or texting (when will they get this simple message and requirement to OBEY the law?) eventually it too will become a criminal offense!

Drive around a bit and it’s easy to see some who are STILL texting or holding the cell phone to their right ear!

The fines are way too low! Make it an even 500 plus HST, double that for the second offense and jail after that.

Thank you for proving my point, Dragonmaster, about PG drivers and their lack of knowledge about the MVA.

There is a difference between something that is illegal and something that is illegal and not being enforced.

We have many illegal driving movements by drivers in PG and elsewhere that are not enforced. If it is not enforced, one develops bad driving habits. Not only that, but it might cause some problems when driving in other jurisdictions that have either the same laws, or very similar laws.

Let me look at the driving on the right one.

From the BC MVA

Driver on right
150 (1) The driver of a vehicle must confine the course of the vehicle to the right hand half of the roadway if the roadway is of sufficient width and it is practicable to do so, except

(a) when overtaking and passing a vehicle proceeding in the same direction,
(b) when the right hand half of the roadway is closed to traffic while under construction or repair,
(c) on a highway designated and marked by signs for one way traffic,
(d) if necessary when operating snow removing equipment, or
(e) if
(i) the movement of a vehicle, or combination of vehicles, is permitted by and is done in conformity with the terms of the oversize permit issued under the Commercial Transport Act, and
(ii) the width of a vehicle, or combination of vehicles, or the width of a load on the vehicle makes the operation of the vehicle or combination of vehicles on the right hand half of the roadway unsafe.

(2) The driver of a vehicle proceeding at LESS THAN NORMAL SPEED OF TRAFFIC at the time and place and under the conditions then existing MUST DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE THEN AVAILABLE FOR TRAFFIC, or AS CLOSELY AS PRACTICABLE TO THE RIGHT HAND CURB OR EDGE OF THE ROADWAY, except when overtaking and passing a vehicle proceeding in the same direction, or when preparing for a left hand turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

(3) The driver of a vehicle passing around a rotary traffic island must drive the vehicle to the right of the island.

BTW, many people misinterpret the phrase “less than normal speed of traffic”. As with any legal writing, the words are selected very much on purpose.

If this was intended to read as “less than the posted speed limit” that is exactly what would have been written. However, this part of the Act does not say that and shows that it considered normal driving habits, including going 51 in a 50km speed zone …. even 60, which might be more common in that part of town.

http://www.bcdrivinglawyers.com/BC-Ticket-Disputes/types-of-traffic-tickets.html
The above sets out the penalties for infractions. Scrolling down to s.150 reads:

Motor Vehicle Act s.150
YOU MUST ALWAYS DRIVE ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE ROAD. In particular, you must keep to the right when going around a traffic circle, or WHEN DRIVING AT LESS THAN THE NORMAL SPEED OF TRAFFIC. …..

Penalty: $109 fine and 3 Driver Penalty Points

I find the Ontario MVA to be a bit clearer on the matter
147. (1) Any vehicle travelling upon a roadway AT LESS THAN THE NORMAL SPEED OF TRAFFIC and place SHALL, WHERE PRACTICABLE, BE DRIVEN IN THE RIGHT-HAND LANE THEN AVAILABLE FOR TRAFFIC or AS CLOSE AS PRACTICABLE TO THE RIGHT HAND CURB OR EDGE OF THE ROADWAY. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 147 (1).

Exception
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a driver of a,
(a) vehicle while overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction;
(b) vehicle WHILE PREPARING FOR A LEFT TURN at an intersection or INTO A PRIVATE ROAD OR DRIVEWAY; or
(c) road service vehicle.

BTW, based on the posting of some on this site about that very issue it shows me that there is a total lack of knowledge of this section of the MVA by some on this site.

Not only that, but it also tells me that they know little about defensive driving and prevention of road rage.

Dragonmaster wrote:
“In the location where the driver was turning left there is a solid centerline. You are permitted to turn left there only IF YOU WILL NOT BE SLOWING TRAFFIC COMING FROM BEHIND you.”

That is your interpretation, but the wrong one. The test of applicability is not “slowing traffic”.

The test is the following phrase from the Act = “WITHOUT UNREASONABLY AFFECTING THE TRAVEL OF ANOTHER VEHICLE”

So, the test of reasonableness. Reasonableness includes
1. observing if there are cars behind you
2. observing if there is oncoming traffic
3. early signaling of intent to turn
4. slowly slowing down with stepping on the brake a few times to highlight that your brakes are being activated to the car behind (assuming there is one)
5. moving as far left as possible without crossing the line to allow others to pass on the right especially in the case of a single lane in the direction you are driving
6. continuing the left turn when the oncoming trafic lane(s) are clear enough to allow you to cross the road without impeding oncoming traffic.

It would be ridiculous to force one to drive to the next intersection where a left turn can be made, then turn into someone’s driveway and back put intop traffic, or make a U-turn somehere along the way.

Here is the BC MVA section, s.156, which suspends the sections you citing and first includes one of the ones suspended under the condition cited.

155 (1) Despite anything in this Part, if a highway is marked with
(a) a solid double line, the driver of a vehicle must drive it to the right of the line only,
(b) a double line consisting of a broken line and a solid line,
(i) the driver of a vehicle proceeding along the highway on the side of the broken line must drive the vehicle to the right of the double line, except when passing an overtaken vehicle, and
(ii) the driver of a vehicle proceeding along the highway on the side of the solid line must drive the vehicle to the right of the double line, except only when finishing the passing of an overtaken vehicle, and
(c) one single line, broken or solid, the driver of a vehicle must drive the vehicle to the right of the line, except only when passing an overtaken vehicle.
(2) Subsection (1) (b) (i) and (c) do not apply if a driver is avoiding an obstruction on the highway and first ascertains that the movement can be made with safety and without affecting the travel of any other vehicle.

SUSPENSION OF SECTTIONS 151 and 155

156 If the driver of a vehicle is causing the vehicle to enter or leave a highway and the driver has ascertained that he or she might do so with safety and DOES SO WITHOUT UNREASONABLY AFFECTING THE TRAVEL OF ANOTHER VEHICLE, the PROVISIONS OF SECTIONS 151 AND 155 ARE SUSPENDED WITH RESPECT TO THE DRIVER WHILE THE VEHICLE IS ENTERING OR LEAVING THE HIGHWAY.

ttp://www.drivesmartbc.ca/lanes/turning-left-over-solid-lines

That is an interpretation from DriveSmartBC

Of course, in the case in question we have an impaired driver and any others in the line that may not have been doing

Sorry … hit the wrong key ….

Of course, in the case in question we have an impaired driver and any others in the line that may not have been doing quite the right thing might be automatically cleared of additional causation.

If so, it is simply another one of those incidents which will be attributed to drunk driving only, and not cite any other reason from which we can learn about poor road design and bad driving habit.

“Dragonmaster wrote:
“In the location where the driver was turning left there is a solid centerline. You are permitted to turn left there only IF YOU WILL NOT BE SLOWING TRAFFIC COMING FROM BEHIND you.”

That is your interpretation, but the wrong one. The test of applicability is not “slowing traffic”.

The test is the following phrase from the Act = “WITHOUT UNREASONABLY AFFECTING THE TRAVEL OF ANOTHER VEHICLE”
————————————–

Slowing traffic or “UNREASONABLY AFFECTING THE TRAVEL OF ANOTHER VEHICLE”

The exact same thing Einstein!

OMFG! ROTFLMAO!

cougs78…there was a drunk 21 year old out there driving around and all you can think about is the poor boy will loose his licence and not be employable? To bad I say. More than that should happen to him.

So you feel it is unreasonable to take an action to slow down a vehicle behind you, espcially if there are two lanes of travel in one direction.

Ever have to slow down for a farmer or whomever that had to cross a highway lane going in the opposite direction when there is a solid line? Ever decide to pass on the right of the vehicle that was doing that when they had the left turn signal on?

Fun to see how utterly unfamiliar PG drivers are with the BC MVA.

BTW, no need to show your ignorance by attacking me as a person.

Come up with the facts to counter the quoted MVA sections. Those kinds of approaches impress a judge in a court.

Calling your oponent names or swearing does not help you argument. Might only lands you a contempt of court ruling. ;-)

Forget about it gus. Dragonmaster is one of the kings of name calling and personal attacks on this site. Especially when people disagree with him.

Thanks for all that Gus, perhaps a few more people are a little more educated.

Gus, all the regulations in the world (including the necessary useful ones) don’t amount to much if people don’t drive with common sense, patience, courtesy and defensively!

The driving culture out there is, with the odd rare exception, one of all the opposites to the above, with speeding, tailgating, failure to signal turns, texting, failure to use seatbelts, rolling through stop signs….etc, etc.

Hopefully some of the money the city gets from the fines is being put into pothole and road repair!

Some roads resemble torture test tracks or crater fields on the moon! I haven’t seen ANY repair crews fixing ANY of the worst spots anywhere in town!

Ditto for the roads the provincial highways department is responsible for!

Have they all thrown in the towel???

You sure can tell they don’t teach this stuff in our schools. I guess poetry and art is more real life applicable?

But on March You are correct of course. I was making a off the cuff remark on what seems to be an ever growing problem. But when this kid gets off and cant get a decent job because he does’nt have a lisence then we all pay for him.

But on March You are correct of course. I was making a off the cuff remark on what seems to be an ever growing problem. But when this kid gets off and cant get a decent job because he does’nt have a lisence then we all pay for him.

Just “But” will do…it’s not “But on March”….=)

“Gus, all the regulations in the world (including the necessary useful ones) don’t amount to much if people don’t drive with common sense, patience, courtesy and defensively!”

I could not agree more on the usefulness/uselesness of regulations. There are so many, and by far most of them actually come from common sense, courtesy, and defensive driving.

Driving laws are pretty well the same across North America with a few having different regulations for something like turning right on a red light. There are local nuances which are based typically on what police decide to enforce, since they do not have the manpower to enforce it all.

One of the most horendous situations of a law not being enfroced is the left hand turn at a signalized intersection, for instance. I was in Boston for a week a few years ago and had a car for the duration.

The lead drivers who is stopped at a red light at the head of a pack signalling to make a left turn, waits ready to floor it as soon as the light turns green. They then make their left hand turn.

Luckily, local drivers know that habit and do it themselves. If they did not, like me at first, they would simply give gas and drive straight ahead, not expecting the left turn from the opposite direction.

Bostonians: think that it is their God-given right to cut off someone in traffic.

Bostonians: always bang a left as soon as the light turns green, and oncoming traffic always expects it.

Bostonians: believe that using your turn signal is a sign of weakness.

:-)

And the definition of common sense is…………? Not one person has the same kind of common sense.:)

And the definition of common sense is…………? Not one person has the same “level” of common sense.:)

OOps

I had trouble with the same black pickup on Westwood Drive also! He ran a red light and JUST missed me.

I had trouble with the same black pickup on Westwood Drive also! He ran a red light and JUST missed me.

I know of three similiar trucks in the same year range and they are also Chevs in PG. There is also a Ford around the same year.