Twenty years of traffic law enforcement experience has (mis)shaped
what I find entertaining, so every Thursday I find myself reading the
beefs in the Nanaimo News Bulletin’s Beefs and Bouquets feature. There
is almost always at least one beef about the way
someone has used or misused the road over the past week.
The beefs often say as much about the complainer as it does about the driver, pedestrian or cyclist being complained about.
BEEF to whoever put a left turn signal on Hwy. 19 south at
Lantzville Road. Before we would wait for the big breaks in northbound
traffic and easily turn left, now we watch as the traffic passes and
there are no cars approaching, still we wait, then
the next batch of traffic approaches and is stopped by the light. Why
fix what wasn’t broken?
Between 2013 and 2017 ICBC reports 12 crashes at this intersection
involving the turn lane, 6 of which produced casualties. The signal was
installed at the same time that a new service station was constructed
that would significantly change the traffic flows.
Steve Wallace does raise an interesting point about a flashing yellow
arrow he saw controlling left turn lanes in Las Vegas. Drivers did not
have to sit and watch appropriate gaps in traffic pass by as they waited
for a green arrow.
BEEF To tailgaters. To victims of these irresponsible road
bullies, drive safely and ignore them. Worst is that they’ll hit you and
face big trouble and an expensive lawsuit.
No, worst is that they’ll hit you and someone will be hurt or killed. An
insurance settlement will not erase the problem completely post-crash
either. You should always leave yourself an out to avoid potential
problems and this is one of them.
BEEF To the increasing numbers of cyclists, of all ages, riding
on the sidewalks. It is bad enough for pedestrians to safely get across
crosswalks and intersections, now we have to dodge cyclists on the
sidewalks.
Ask the cyclist and they’ll tell you they use the sidewalk to avoid
being run down by drivers. As this beefer observes, it creates a new
risk for the pedestrian. Cyclists are allowed to ride on the sidewalk or
in crosswalks when permitted by a sign.
BEEF To all drivers who still don’t understand school zone speeds
of 30 kilometres per hour apply from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on school days.
Far too many speeders by Cilaire Elementary and no police to ticket
them.
Does this person know that school zones may start before 8:00 am or end
after 5:00 pm? I often wonder if these zones should apply only during
the times that children are actually going to and from the school. Some
jurisdictions use flashing lights with school
zone signs to do this.
BEEF To drivers who turn at intersections and believe they have
the right to turn into the closest lane or the far lane, whichever lane
suits their purpose. Drivers must stay in their own lane and use their
indicators once they are in their lane and
if clear, can to move over the next lane.
Yes, drivers actually argue about this. Unless the intersection has more
than one turn lane, you must enter the first available lane for your
direction of travel.
BEEF When driving, merge does not mean to bully or nearly cause
an accident because you think you are more important than anyone else.
You are a menace.
Merging is a team sport. The onus is on the person changing lanes to do
so safely without influencing other traffic, but a driver can also
facilitate a safe merge. The driver described here needs a more positive
outlook if this was done intentionally.
Story URL:
https://www.drivesmartbc.ca/miscellaneous/beefs-and-bouquets
—
Constable Tim Schewe (Retired)
DriveSmartBC: Where better than average drivers satisfy their curiosity.
