I carry a Handicap parking permit. When I was first issued this
permit an outline of my responsibilities said that I was to remove it
from the rear view mirror while driving “…as it is against the law to
drive with the Permit hanging (obstructed vision).”
I see often see permit holders driving with their permits hanging from
the rear view mirror, so this rule is obviously not being enforced. A
mention in your column may help remind drivers of their legal
responsibility in this regard.
Thanks for yet another great topic suggestion, and one that is timely for another reason entirely.
Fully 80 percent of the information that we need to drive safely comes
through our eyes. Anything that keeps that information from reaching us
is a concern.
The law says that you must not move your vehicle on a highway when the
driver’s view to the front or to the sides is obstructed. Obstructions
may range from the parking permit or other object dangling from the
rearview mirror that this reader mentions.
Driving with only a small spot of frost scraped away or removed by the
defrosters is what came to my mind as I always found drivers peeking
through the small half circle of glass cleared by the defrosters during
the first few frosts of the year. Receiving a
ticket and then having to scrape or wait before continuing is not a
good way to start the day.
A traffic ticket for a violation of section 195(1)(b) MVA costs $109 and 3 penalty points.
I have the luxury of parking my vehicle in my garage so I don’t have to
scrape my windows at the beginning of my trip, but I may have to park
outside at my destination. Most of the time I just use my snow brush and
ice scraper to clean ALL the windows before
I drive away, but with a little preparation that task can be made
quicker and easier.
Covering the windshield with anything that keeps moisture away from it
will prevent frost from forming on the outside. A tarp, blanket, towel
or even cardboard will help reduce the work.
There are commercial de-icing sprays, but you can save a significant
amount of money by making your own. Find a suitable spray bottle and
fill it with a mixture of 2/3 70% isopropyl alcohol and 1/3 water. Spray
it on, wait a few moments and all that scraping
is no longer necessary.
Your spray can be stored in the vehicle as it will not freeze in most areas of our province.
While we are on the topic of vision and changes in the weather, this
would be a great time to check some other vehicle components as well. Is
your windshield washer topped up with the correct cleaner, are your
wiper blades supple and undamaged and is your scraper
at hand?
One final mention is something that I learned while researching this
topic. Leaving your windshield wipers pulled back from the windshield at
the end of each trip will prevent damage to the wiping edge. Your
wipers will last longer and clean your windshield
without streaks.
Better to be ready to cope than it is to take chances with your safety
and the safety of those who have to share the road with you.
Story URL: https://www.drivesmartbc.ca/unsafe-driving-practices/driving-vision-obstructed
Constable Tim Schewe (Retired)
DriveSmartBC: Where better than average road users satisfy their curiosity.