Driving At Intersections - Archives

17Jul 2023 by Carmen Cohoe

Caulfield Exit 4-Way-Stop Intersection West Vancouver

Question on Caulfield Exit 4-way-stop There is an intersection in my neighborhood that causes a lot of confusion [Caulfield exit 4-way-stop in beautiful West Vancouver]. It is a 4-way stop (4-way sign under stop sign) but it has 2 pull-out lanes for right turns (each with another stop sign but no 4-way sign under them) as well as 2 left turn lanes. I would appreciate some clarification on this since I have young drivers that I would like to educate on the proper use of this intersection. If I am approaching the intersection and using one of the right turn lanes do I have to wait until the entire intersection is cleared before I get the right of way (I could be here all day since it’s a busy one)…

15Jan 2023 by Carmen Cohoe

Intersections With Bad Visibility – Commercial Drive & 14th

BC Intersections

Intersections with Bad Visibility - Stop Sign at Commercial Drive & East 14th Avenue Stop signs are everywhere, and while some of them have good visibility, many of them do not. We still need to deal with them as drivers. In this article, we'll dive into the process of how to safely turn right, left, or go straight when the visibility isn't as good as we would like, using Commercial Drive and East 14th Avenue in Vancouver as an example. For more info about stop signs in general, check out my guide: Stop Sign vs Stop Line Guide for Drivers. This intersection is also controlled by pedestrians via a flashing green light, but we're just going to ignore that whole thing for now. Intersections with Bad Visibility - Stop Sign…

04Jan 2023 by Carmen Cohoe

Marine Drive and Kerr, Vancouver Intersection [Warning]

BC Intersections

A Complaint About Marine Drive and Kerr Street Marine Drive and Kerr Street is an interesting intersection. It's not the safest intersection I've ever seen. When you turn left there, it can somehow seem to be extra dangerous. Perhaps it's the hill, blocking everyone's vision. Or it just has a bad vibe. Either way, it's good to be extra careful when turning left at this intersection. For my full guide to intersections, check it out: Intersections in British Columbia, Drivers Guide or jump to How to Turn Left at an Intersection Safely. Submitted by a reader South Bound on Kerr StreetTraffic light at SE Marine DriveTurning LEFT at Kerr and SE Marine, Only two cars get through at rush hour.This short span of time has occurred within the last month.Traffic…

17Jun 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

Royal Ave and McBride New West Left Turn Crash Example

BC Intersections

Royal Ave and McBride in Beautiful New Westminster, BC A friend of mine recently witnessed the aftermath of a left turn collision at this intersection of E. Royal Ave and McBride Blvd in New West. And it reminded me that when I have been driving (turning left) there, there does seem to be an optical illusion of some sorts. This can easily turn dangerous for drivers who may be unaware of this slightly uncommon intersection design. In this article we'll discuss why there appears to be an optical illusion and how to make sure your left turns here are as safe as they can be. Google Maps Proximity to Puttullo Bridge Due to its proximity to the notoriously sketchy Pattullo Bridge, which connects New Westminster with Surrey, there are many…

23Feb 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

5 Way Stop – Yes, It’s an Interesting Intersection in Canada

BC Intersections

5 Way Stop Yep, the 5 way stop is a real thing. And to cut straight to the point, it works exactly like the 4-way stop sign intersection. It's exactly the same thing as an "all-way stop;" all-way simply means "everyone." These 5 way stop intersections are pretty rare in my experience, but they do pop up from time to time to seemingly make sure we are on our toes, so to speak. 5 Way Stop Intersection Rules Let's review the basic rules for 4-way stops since these are the exact same rules for the mysterious 5-way stop. The first thing to remember is that we must always yield the right of way to pedestrians. In terms of vehicles, we must yield to any vehicle that stopped first, before…

14Jan 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

Main and Kingsway, Vancouver – Driving Question

BC Intersections

Question from a reader about the sometimes perplexing intersection of Main and Kingsway in beautiful Vancouver, Canada. Scenario: Going North on Main St, stop at light until green, and when safe, proceed to make a right turn onto Kingsway. Although this particular intersection is an awkward right turn, however there are no restrictions listed on intersection lights(except no left turn). Police had a hard time coming up with a violation ticket, and resorted to Section 165"(5) A person must not turn a vehicle at an intersection unless it is in the position on the highway required by this section." I have seen people turn here daily safely and within the rules. I wonder if anyone else has experienced this intersection detail. Is it just me, or does it look like…

11Jan 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

Intersections in British Columbia – Driver’s Guide

BC Intersections

Welcome to Intersections in British Columbia Welcome to our Intersections in British Columbia guide. This guide is intended for drivers and other road users to help better understand different types of intersections and how to navigate them safely. What are intersections in British Columbia? Intersections in British Columbia are the most common places where collisions occur; places where a road meets with another road. These are places where a number of different road users often cross paths, and they can get very busy. There is often a lot going on at intersections, so it’s important to always pay attention. Other drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and other types of road users might be in a hurry and might want to move into the same space at the same time as you (which…

11Jan 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

Traffic Circle – What Is It & What’s The Deal?

BC Intersections

Why is there a circle in the middle of the road? You may sometimes find traffic circles in residential areas and other spots, too. Today we will discuss the residential traffic circle, which is a small circle. These are different from traffic roundabouts. Engineers design residential traffic circles to increase safety and to slow down traffic in residential areas. This is because in these areas there may be: ChildrenDogsPeople walkingBikesSkate boardersCars backing out of driveways& other exciting stuff Traffic circles slow down vehicles, without necessarily forcing traffic to completely stop like we do at 2-way stops and 4-way stops. So, how do you navigate the residential traffic circle? Slow down as you approach the circle to no more than 20 km/hr. This is in case you need to yield. Also, to maintain…

04Jan 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

W King Edward Ave & MacDonald Vancouver – Safe Driving Tips

BC Intersections

Uncommon Intersections Vancouver is a beautiful city. But it leaves us with a slight predicament when intersections are much larger than normal due to being divided by a boulevard. For example, King Edward and MacDonald. Many drivers get confused here and with good reason, and it just happens to be situated beside one of the ICBC road testing locations. [ICBC Road Test Class 5 vs 7: Prepare & Conquer]. First of all, review some basic principles of turning left. Entering The Intersection at King Edward And MacDonald When turning left, it's important to enter the intersection and line up your vehicle with where you are about to turn. This sets you up to have a short, easy, and efficient turn. And therefore, a safer one. For complete details on how…

04Jan 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

Uncontrolled Intersections

BC Intersections

Uncontrolled intersections have no signs or lights. Be extra careful because other people may not notice. Look at the back of any sign that the other traffic may be facing. If you see no signs, it’s an uncontrolled intersection. Vehicles are not necessarily required to stop (depending on visibility), but should apply extreme caution, slow down and scan for traffic. Drivers should yield to whichever vehicle arrived first. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, yield to your right; left turns should yield to straight-through traffic; left turns should yield to right turns. When unsure, demonstrate courtesy.

03Jan 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

Roundabouts and Traffic Circles – Practical Driving Tips

BC Intersections

Roundabouts and traffic circles are designed to keep traffic moving and improve safety at intersections Technically, a roundabout is a traffic circle with more than one lane, but these terms seem to be used interchangeably On approach, reduce your speed to about 20 km/hr in case you need to yield to other vehicles and for good controlLook for signs and pedestrians and be prepared.You must yield to any traffic already in the roundabout. This means you will yield to your immediate left. All vehicles must enter to the right and use the roundabout in a counter-clockwise direction. You can enter the roundabout when there is a safe gap in the traffic and you feel it is safe. Once you are inside the roundabout, vehicles approaching are supposed to yield to…

17Oct 2021 by Carmen Cohoe

Vancouver: Prior St. Eastbound at Georgia Viaduct

BC Intersections

Question : At a Y intersection, where a vehicle on the right arm of the Y has stopped for a red light, can that vehicle then proceed if there is no approaching traffic on the left arm of the Y. (for example, east bound traffic on Prior St where it intersects with the east end of the Georgia Street viaduct). It's a good question and I can see how one might think that this is somewhat similar to a right turn on a red light. But I just can't see how this is a "right turn." In this case, you are driving on Prior St. facing a red light at an intersection and after the intersection you are still on Prior Street. You are not turning your steering wheel (well,…

29Sep 2021 by Carmen Cohoe

Bus Only Left Turns -Question Intersections

BC Intersections

Question : I have been instructed on a school bus run that I may be included to take a left at a downtown busy intersection which is designated for "bus only." I was honked at last day on route by other drivers and given the Stare. I do not want to get a driving infraction nor cause an accident. Good question. According to the BC Motor Vehicle Act, a bus is "a motor vehicle designed to carry more than 10 persons," so if you're driving such a vehicle, then you're permitted to turn left against a sign which indicates 'no left turns except for busses.' A bus doesn't have to necessarily be a Translink bus; it could be a HandyDart, a school bus, or something similar. There's also a definition of…

20Mar 2021 by Carmen Cohoe

Shell Road And 91 East-west Connector Right Turns

BC Intersections

Shell Road, Richmond Train tracks and Right Turns at Red Lights Question: Can I turn right on a red light at this intersection? It's Shell Road and 91 East-West Connector?Can I go through the first red light after I stop? And drive to the second white line/red light or do I have to stay stopped at the first line? Answer: Let's review the basics. You can go right on a red light, after you stop and make sure it's safe, as long as there's no turning restriction sign. Simple. In this case, there is no sign restricting the turn. Therefore, you can turn right after you stop; if and when safe, of course. The purpose of the two red lights is to give drivers sufficient warning. At higher speeds, drivers…

04Apr 2019 by Carmen Cohoe

‘Fake’ Right Lane on Canada Way & 10th Avenue

BC Intersections

This 'Phantom Lane' has been bothering me Okay, the thing is, maybe it's just me but there's a FAKE LANE on Canada Way at 10th and I just have to tell someone about it since it's not good to keep things inside. I've seen a lot of 'almost accidents' here, at 'the Triangle.' It seems like drivers thinking about turning right on a red light, beside the petrol station here, seems to think there is a magical 'right lane' for them to turn into. That is probably because, from their perspective, it kind of looks like there is. In fact, there is a very mysterious and mischievous triangular space acting like a right lane. But don't be fooled. This is just a FAKE LANE. Don't do it! Fake Lane I…

Category: BC Intersections