How To Drive A Car & General Driving Archives

27Mar 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

Residential Streets & Speed Limits Guide For BC

Driving Skills

Wondering about Speed Limits in BC? Welcome to the article all about residential streets, and speed limits in British Columbia, Canada. Speed Limit Map BC Did you know you might be able to find a speed limit map on your mobile device? How to Enable Speed Limit Map on Android Open the Google Maps app and tap on your profile icon in the upper right corner, tap on Settings, Tap the toggle switch next to Speed limits, Tap on Navigation settings. What is the speed limit if not posted in BC? Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit inside a municipality is 50km an hour and outside is 80km an hour. Around schools and playgrounds, it's 30km an hour during posted hours. Police can ticket you if they believe you were driving…

25Mar 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

Stop Sign vs Stop Line – Stopping Guide For Drivers in BC

Driving Skills

Stop Sign vs Stop Line - Welcome to the Driver's Stop Sign & Stop Line Guide The stop sign intersection is a common type of intersection in British Columbia. These intersections are often considered not busy enough or not large enough to be controlled by a traffic signal (traffic light). However, they can still be busy and potentially dangerous. What does a stop sign mean? The stop sign is a regulation sign, literally meaning "stop your vehicle." Regulation signs tell drivers about various driving laws and regulations. It is an offense to disregard them. If you don't follow the instructions on any regulatory sign, you may receive fines or penalties. Check out my article on Canada Road Signs to learn more about the different types of road signs found in…

25Mar 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

How to Turn Left at a Traffic Light Safely

Driving Skills

Turning Left Left turns are a necessary evil when driving a car. They can seem dangerous. They can seem complicated and nerve-wracking. But, they don't have to be. There are ways to make sure your left turns are safe, too. This article will dive deep into best practices, details, tidbits, practical, actionable steps you can take, and safety tips for how to turn left while driving at different kinds of intersections. Who has the right of way when turning left on a solid green light? Technically speaking, no one "has the right of way" until another road user has actually yielded. Thinking "I have the right of way," is a great way to get into a collision. Having said that, if it's just a regular ole green light intersection, then…

24Mar 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

School Zones in British Columbia – 2024 Driver’s Guide

Driving Skills

What are the school zone hours in BC? School zone signs are in the shape of a house and are in effect 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM on school days unless otherwise posted, including posted summer school days. Are school zones in effect during summer in BC? Some school zones are in effect during summer in British Columbia. Those schools with summer school in session will have an obvious "summer school in session" sign attached to the school zone sign so that drivers don't need to be confused. Otherwise, school zones are not in effect during summer, winter, spring break, or other non-school days. Summer school in session sign Burnaby, British Columbia. What is the fine for speeding in a school zone in BC? Speeding in a school zone will…

22Mar 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

Turning Corners Not Awesome? Stop Cutting & Turning Wide

Driving Skills

Turning Corners Not Awesome? Not To Worry Question On Turning Corners: 'Not Wide Enough' Question: I recently failed my driving test, one of the things I did badly was turning corners. I was turning left at a 90-degree angle. The examiner wrote "your turns are not wide enough" so does that mean I turned too early? If so, how do I know when I should start turning my wheel and how much? Should I drive a little bit before I start my turns? Would love your advice. What Does 'Cutting Corners' Mean? Yes, if you are turning corners and your turns are 'not wide enough' it means that you possibly 'cut the corner' or did not move far enough forward into the intersection before starting to turn the wheel. So, your…

20Mar 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

Right-Of-Way in Driving Explained

Driving Skills

What does it mean to have the right-of-way? Whenever someone says "right-of-way" they are usually talking about some type of understanding that drivers have with regard to which road user is going to go first before another in a driving situation. In other words, who must yield to who whenever two or more road users would like to enter the same space at the same time. Someone needs to go first. Otherwise, two or more road users entering the same space at the same time is equal to a collision. For a related article, check out Right-of-way in the parking lot. No one really "has" the right-of-way - an attitude shift Nobody really “has the right-of-way.” The driving school where I learned how to become a driving instructor would have absolutely, positively…

15Mar 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

How Long Does It Take To Learn To Drive?

Driving Skills

How long does it take to learn to drive? It's a process It takes most people about 60 hours of practical driving time behind the wheel to learn how to drive if they've never driven a car ever before. This is coming from my experience as a driving instructor for about 10 years in beautiful North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. How long does it take to learn to drive? In this article, I'll get into some more detail and explain why it takes a while to learn this important life skill. For a related article, check out: Driving a Car for the First Time? Practical Tips. Learning to drive is like building a house One thing I realized after teaching driving lessons for almost a decade was that learning how…

11Mar 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

How To Turn Right At Green Lights [Canada]

Driving Skills

How To Turn Right at Green Lights - Beautiful British Columbia, Canada Introduction... Knowing how to turn right at green lights safely is another one of those important skills that learners, new drivers, and all drivers must practice to get really good at. And while turning right at green lights doesn't seem as dangerous as turning left at an intersection, it's somehow more difficult and complicated to teach to a new driver (and to learn). That is why I would always teach left turns at traffic lights first. Also, learners would know how to turn left and could avoid terrifying their parents too much when they went to practice driving. BC Motor Vehicle Act - Turning At Intersections, Green Lights Turning at intersections 165 (1)If the driver of a vehicle intends…

25Feb 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

Beginner Drivers Resource – Coquitlam & Tri-Cities Area

Driving Skills

Quiet Areas for Beginners in the Tri-Cities Brand-new drivers require a quiet area or sometimes an empty parking lot to begin; somewhere to focus on controlling the vehicle, and not worrying too much about other drivers yet. Here is a simple list of evening parking lots and/or quiet areas for learners and co-pilots to potentially check out when beginning. Coquitlam & Tri-Cities Quiet Evening Driving Practice Areas Coquitlam Centre Mall Park ‘n Ride at Coquitlam Central Station Lafarge Park Home Depot Parking Lot area Costco Parking Lot Walmart Parking Lot Kebet Way area (by Peace Park) Terry Fox Secondary School Heritage Mountain Secondary Charles Best Secondary Poirier Community Centre CA Church (Mariner and Como Lake) Riverside High School Sunwood Square (Lougheed and Westwood) United Boulevard Riverview grounds Simon Fraser University…

17Jul 2023 by Carmen Cohoe

4-Way Stop Intersection – The Complete Guide For Drivers

Driving Skills

What is the 4-Way Stop Intersection (North America)? The 4-way stop is a type of intersection where all drivers stop, and then take turns. These intersections aren't found worldwide. They're mostly found in North America in Canada and the U.S. If you are confused by them, you're not the only one; but don't worry. We will go through how this intersection is supposed to work, and some tips and tricks for dealing with them. Check out my 4-way stops playlist on YouTube. Four-Way Stop Rules Whoever stops first, should go first, Whoever stops second, goes second (and third, and so on). If you stop at the same time, yield to the right. And, if you stop at the same time, left-turning traffic should yield to straight-through and right-turning traffic. 4-Way…

07Feb 2023 by Carmen Cohoe

Steering Techniques For Safe Driving & Car Control

Driving Skills

Welcome to Steering Techniques By Steering Techniques I mean a few different things. I'm talking about the placement of your hands on the steering wheel while you are driving, especially while turning the steering wheel for corners and while parking. But also, how you hold the steering wheel when you are simply driving down the road in a straight line. This all matters. Most people are worried about how to pass the road test, but it's important to realize that the road test is only going to be 30 minutes give or take out of your entire life. You'll be driving for a lot longer than that in real life, and it's important to understand that certain steering techniques can seriously hurt you if you had a collision one day.…

25Jan 2023 by Carmen Cohoe

Winter Driving Safety Tips: Navigating Canadian Winters with Confidence

Driving Skills

Winter Driving Safety Tips: Navigating Canadian Winters with Confidence Introduction Canadian winters are notorious for their harsh conditions, with snow, ice, and freezing temperatures making driving a challenging task. As the snow blankets the roads and ice forms on the surfaces, it's crucial for drivers to adapt and stay safe on the roads. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore essential winter driving safety tips specifically tailored for the unique challenges presented by Canadian winters. By following these guidelines, you can confidently navigate the icy roads and ensure your safety, as well as the safety of others, during the winter months. 1. Prepare Your Vehicle Before winter arrives, it's essential to prepare your vehicle for the harsh conditions: Winter Tires: Invest in a set of winter tires designed to provide…

20Jan 2023 by Carmen Cohoe

Should I Pull Into the Intersection For Left Turns? Yes…

Driving Skills

Wondering if you should pull into the intersection for left turns? Should I pull into the intersection? This is a common question, and it's a great question. I'm going to answer this from my British Columbia, Canadian perspective. Other places might do things differently. If you're turning left on a green light, then yes, generally speaking, you should pull into the intersection when you're yielding to oncoming traffic and/or pedestrians. The only exception would be if there were no available spaces to turn into. This happens sometimes when the traffic is backed up on the other road. Or, sometimes there are issues on the road you're about to turn into (a broken down car, construction, etc.) Why pull into the intersection? The reason you should pull into the intersection is it…

17Jan 2023 by Carmen Cohoe

Can I Drive My Parent’s Car Without Insurance in BC?

Driving Skills

Can I drive my parent's car without insurance? The short answer is No. You - or anyone else - may not legally drive any vehicle, including your parent's vehicle, if the vehicle does not have insurance. Every single car, truck, or van on the road legally requires insurance. British Columbia Motor Vehicle Act - Section 24 (3) A person must not drive or operate a motor vehicle or trailer on a highway unless (a) the person is insured under a valid and subsisting driver's certificate, and (b) the motor vehicle and the trailer, if any, are insured under a valid and subsisting motor vehicle liability policy evidenced by an owner's certificate. British Columbia Motor Vehicle Act ICBC Fines for Driving Without Insurance As of March 2023, the current fine for…

02Jan 2023 by Carmen Cohoe

Playground Zones in British Columbia – Driver’s Guide

Driving Skills

Playground Zones in British Columbia Playground zones in British Columbia are in effect from dawn to dusk, every single day of the year. The playground zone sign is in the shape of a diamond. This is in contrast to the school zone signs, which are in a shape that more resembles a house. Playground zone in British Columbia What Is A Playground Zone in BC? A playground zone in BC is a 30 km/hr speed zone where there may be children nearby. By law, drivers must not exceed 30 km/hr during playground zone hours. The playground hours are simply from dawn till dusk, every day of the year. Playground zone signs are found around places where there may be children playing They are in the shape of a diamond They…

01Jan 2023 by Carmen Cohoe

Scan Intersections Before Driving Through

Driving Skills

Scan Intersections - When the light goes green Scanning intersections basically means that a driver does an intentional scan of the entire intersection before driving through it, from left to right, whether you have a green light or a green arrow. They actively look as far as they can to the left, center, right, and then left again before continuing to drive. The most dangerous time at an intersection is often right when the lights are changing; to yellow, red, and then green. This is the most likely time that a driver will be doing something they shouldn't, such as speeding up instead of slowing down when the light goes yellow. Read more about yellow lights on our blog. This left-to-right scan is literally a life-saving skill that drivers can…

28Dec 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

How to Avoid Crashes & Drive Defensively

Driving Skills

This post may contain affiliate links. How to Avoid Crashes & What Is Defensive Driving - A Definition What is defensive driving? And how to avoid crashes? Defensive driving is using actionable driving strategies to eliminate or minimize risk - and help avoid crashes - by actively anticipating hazards on the road. How to Avoid Crashes & What Is Defensive Driving - A DefinitionWhat Is Defensive Driving - Active Vs Passive DriversDrivers are somewhat predictable. For example: Keep Your DistanceTiming Eyes & Eye Contact for Defensive Driving Look At Drivers, Not Just CarsWhat Is Defensive Driving - Look For Eye ContactLet Other Road Users Know You ExistAvoid Driving In a 'Pack' Keep Track Of Surroundings At All TimesKeeping An Escape RouteAlways Assume That Drivers Want to Lane Change It's what…

04Dec 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

Earthquake While Driving Preparedness – Things To Consider

Driving Skills

This post may contain affiliate links. Earthquake While Driving? It Could Happen Here are a few tips for staying safe while driving if experiencing an earthquake: An earthquake while driving may feel like something is wrong with your car. Take note of your surroundings. You’ll feel jolting and you might see swaying or falling objects. Slow down Slow down until you can safely pull over and stop. Avoid parking near overpasses, powerlines, bridges, and buildings. Your car will provide little protection from heavy falling objects. Cement can crush cars as if they were little cans of pop. Turn off your vehicle Turn off the engine and put the handbrake on. Stay in your car until the shaking stops. If power lines fall If a power line falls on your vehicle,…

21Nov 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

Stopping Behind Transit Buses BC

Driving Skills

Question : I have a question about stopping behind transit buses as they are loading/unloading passengers at a bus stop. Are vehicles allowed to wait behind them until they start moving again? There's been a couple of rare instances where a driver of another transit bus approaching a bus stop has expressed anger towards the passenger vehicle drivers for stopping behind an already stopped bus. What I mean is: A bus stop was located just across from the intersection. A transit bus was stopped at the stop, to load/unload passengers. Behind the bus, there were two passenger vehicles stopped. Now, another transit bus has approached the bus stop from behind. I've seen the bus driver here express anger and frustration towards the drivers stopped in front of them (verbally and…

15Nov 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

Right on a Red Light – Epic Guide For All Drivers

Driving Skills

Right on a Red Light Turning right on a green light is sort of easy. But turning right at a red light isn't as easy. You don't have to do it, but it's great if you know how. So let's jump right into the detailed guide, written of course from the driving instructor's perspective. *Based in Vancouver, Canada. Not all places allow right turn on red lights. Make sure your area allows it before attempting this. And of course, if you're reading this to help you prepare for your upcoming road test, be sure to check out my epic article: ICBC Road Test Tips For Classes 5 & 7 [Instructor Gets Deep]. Say I'm coming to an intersection and making a right turn on red. After stopping at the stop…

02Nov 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

When Can You Turn After Waiting For Pedestrians?

Driving Skills

Turning At Intersections With Pedestrians In The Crosswalk Question about waiting for pedestrians: When a pedestrian is crossing, do you have to wait for them to cross all the way to the other side before you proceed? Great question. It seems to me that different people have different opinions about this subject. There seems to be no solid answer from the motor vehicle act. So...I will share what I think, and how I taught students in driving lessons. It's good to be efficient, but not at the expense of safety Pedestrians are the most vulnerable road users. When a car and a pedestrian fight, the pedestrian never wins. Cars can be replaced, but people can't It's good to remember that pedestrian crossing isn't just some inconvenience. It's someone's wife, husband,…

01Nov 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

A Day In The Life of a HandyDART Driver [Story Time]

Driving Skills

I was kind of hoping that work wouldn’t call me in this morning, but at 6:45 am, they called and gave me the gift of a 10-hour long shift, and the first five hours actually went okay. (I was working casually at the time, which means you can still work full-time hours, but each day they will call on short notice and offer you a shift, and you never know where you'll be going or who you'll be meeting. Every day is guaranteed to be 100% different.) I had picked up a lady - let’s call her Rosemary - from a church. She was on her way home. I had to stop and pick up another gentleman called Rain. He was going to a senior's center to play cards. When…

10Oct 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

Halloween Safety Tips for Drivers and Goblins

Driving Skills

Spooky Halloween Tips for Drivers Drive extra slowly in residential areas Reduce/eliminate your distractions and pay close attention Enter and exit driveways slowlyDo not pass vehicles that have stopped in the roadway; they could be dropping off childrenPay extra attention at crosswalks, intersections and the side of the roadKeep scanning all around you as you drive and be aware of your surroundingsDo you really have to be driving? If not, then don’tRemember your turn signals (as usual, but it's important) Keep in mind children wearing costumes may not be able to see properlyCheck behind your vehicle before reversing and honk before reversing out of a driveway (preferably you reverse into a driveway so you don’t need to reverse out)Plan an alternate route around residential areas, if possibleLeave lots of extra…

02Sep 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

Hand Signals For Driving – Easy Demonstration

Driving Skills

Hand Signals Driving Are you new at driving, preparing for your road test, or just curious about hand signals for driving? Despite the fact it's 2023, we humans still don't have flying cars. You know what else we don't have? Car light bulbs that last forever. Therefore, we drivers need to learn hand signals for driving. This is important because people everywhere preparing for road tests will need to know this. It's part of basic driver education. More importantly, it's helpful for real-life situations when one of your four turn signal bulbs burns out and you have no other way to signal to the road users around you where you are planning to go other than your hand signals. Hand signals for driving Hand Signals for Driving Are The Same…

05Jul 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

BC Guide to Driving on Forest Service Roads

Driving Skills

There may come a time in your life when you realize that simply driving to work or around town is no longer thrilling. Or perhaps you're somebody that actively enjoys nature (fishing, hiking, hunting, or natural hot springs), and really values being able to "get away from it all" on another level. This is when you might encounter a logging road in beautiful British Columbia. These logging roads are also known as: Resource RoadsForest Service Roads Mineral Exploration Roads What Are These Roads, Exactly? These types of roads in beautiful British Columbia provide access to remote areas. They are not built to the same standards as highways. These types of roads were created for industrial purposes, such as for logging, oil & gas, agriculture, mining. However, they are often used…

22Jun 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

Yield Sign When Driving – Driver’s How-To Guide

Driving Skills

What Does a Yield Sign Mean? Facing a yield sign simply means to "give the right of way," or let another road user go before you when there may be a potential conflict. Sometimes, you may have to stop to let the other road user(s) go first Other times, you may have to stop because you don't have any visibility and can't yet see if there's another road user to yield to And other times, you may not have to slow down because there is clear visibility and no one to yield to. In that case, you definitely don't need to stop before proceeding. Do You Have to Stop at the Yield Sign? No, you do not necessarily need to stop at a yield sign. Yield means to give the…

12Apr 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

How to Lane Change While Driving [Instructor Gets Deep]

Driving Skills

Welcome to How to Lane Change If you're wondering how to lane change, you're not alone. Lane changing can be quite a difficult thing for a beginner driver to get good at. A lot of beginners tend to slow down to think about things when they're planning a lane change. Of course, this doesn't work. Let's get into some helpful pointers on how to safely lane change for new and experienced drivers alike. Preparing for your ICBC road test? Be sure to check out my epic article: ICBC Road Test Tips For Classes 5 & 7 [Instructor Gets Deep]. Why do drivers need to learn how to lane change? Mostly because we are not supposed to turn right from the left lane, or turn left from the right lane How To…

01Mar 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

BC Emergency Vehicle Etiquette & Best Practices

Driving Skills

In Beautiful British Columbia, we have specific rules and guidelines around emergency vehicles and this article will go through the proper BC emergency vehicle etiquette. It's important for everyone, including new drivers of course, to familiarize themselves with the proper BC emergency vehicle etiquette and protocols. It's always awkward for everyone when an emergency vehicle is coming with its emergency lights and sirens activated. Emergency vehicles are just one of the many reasons why you should look from left to right before crossing intersections. This is especially true if you are the first vehicle at an intersection when your light goes green. BC Emergency Vehicle Etiquette https://twitter.com/jpmf/status/1504123467922239493 Here's just one little example of a time when the vehicles needed to stop for a green light, because an emergency vehicle was…

20Jan 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

Fear of Driving Over Bridges

Driving Skills

Fear of Driving Over Bridges? The Chesapeake Bay Bridge The Chesapeake Bay Bridge in Maryland (nearly 7 km long) is so frightening to some drivers, there is a service that will drive you across the bridge in your own car. Is the fear of driving over a bridge (or fear of driving in general) any different than any other fear, and therefore, would the 'cure' be the same? If a person goes through their entire life being afraid of spiders (or heights, or whatever else), and every time they see one, they scream and run away; well that is probably fine in the grand scheme of things since the worst thing that can happen is, well, the screaming and running away part, and possibly a spider bite. But driving?…

13Jan 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

Passing Multiple Vehicles – Risky Moves

Driving Skills

Question : If I'm in a safe passing zone marked 80km and have 2 cars in front of me, after passing the first vehicle, do I have to then go back to the right lane before overtaking the second vehicle or can I stay in the left lane and continue passing if there are no oncoming vehicles? If I remain in the left lane and am approaching to pass the second vehicle, do I have the right of way or would they? Is the onus on the vehicle in front of me to use their mirrors before crossing the center line and make a left turn across the roadway while I'm getting ready to pass them? Although using common sense is always recommended, the BC Motor Vehicle Act does have a few things…

10Jan 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

Blind Spots and Shoulder Checks

Driving Skills

Welcome to Blind Spots in a Car (& Shoulder Checks) What are blind spots in a car? Blind spots are simply specific areas that you can not see when you are sitting in the driver's seat. You can't see this area in your mirrors or in the corner of your eye(s). The only way to see the blind spot is to shoulder-check. Another road user could be right beside your vehicle, and you wouldn't be able to see it at all. Obviously, this is potentially dangerous. Blind Spots in a Car While Driving Let's dig deeper. Let's take the following photo of a driver's point-of-view as an example. In the rear-view mirror, not much is happening. We can see a silver car in front, a black truck, a red Porsche,…

04Jan 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

DriveBC Webcams – View Road Scenes From Anywhere

Driving Skills

DriveBC Webcams What are DriveBC Webcams? Just in case you don't know, Drive BC is a website, as well as a toll-free phone service for British Columbians. It provides road conditions, weather conditions, and traffic information for travelers who are navigating the beautiful highways in British Columbia. The service is run by the provincial government's Ministry of Transportation. This website can help us drivers figure out when to travel, and which is the best route to take. On the DriveBC website, you'll be able to see Current road conditions, like slippery sections and poor visibility Incidents, like collisions and rock slides Future planned events, such as avalanche prevention, construction, and bridge maintenance DriveBC Webcams - Map for BC Highways On the DriveBC map, you can click on highway webcam icons.…

04Jan 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

Left Turn Red Light – Can We? 2 Eye-Opening Scenarios

Driving Skills

Left On Red In British Columbia? Left turn red light. Wait, what? Turning left on a red light is a thing that is actually sometimes legal. But you really need to pay close attention to the road you are planning to turn onto. This will determine the legality. Most people wonder about right turns on red lights, and different places have different rules for these types of turns. In British Columbia, you may turn right on a red light if it's safe to do so and if you completely stop first. Oh and avoiding those pesky turning restriction signs helps too. If you think about why we are allowed to turn right on a red light, it may help to understand the rules about turning left. Basically, we are not…

02Jan 2022 by Carmen Cohoe

Winter Road Trip Checklist – For Winter Driving Adventures

Driving Skills

Winter road trips can be challenging and unpredictable. Be prepared by following these tips - our ultimate winter road trip checklist Tires #1: use winter tires, 4 of them, and check the pressure (info on your door jamb). Even if it's not snowing, winter tires offer better traction in temperatures below 7 degrees C. "The worst winter tire is better than the best summer tire" Your tires are the only thing connecting you to the pavement. Tires are (one of the, if not..) the single most important thing on your vehicle (some may argue...) If I had limited funds for my vehicle and could only spend it on one thing, I would spend it on Tires. Emergency Kit & Essential Items Keep essential items in your car in case of…

27Dec 2021 by Carmen Cohoe

Turn Signals – A Reminder to ‘Trust No One’

Driving Skills

I've said it before and I'll say it again: just because a turn signal is on, doesn't mean anything. Wait and see if the turn signal indicated on the car is the movement the driver is ACTUALLY planning to make; this may involve some patience and hesitation. Assuming otherwise is such a classic way to cause a collision. For example, when two vehicles are facing one another and both are indicating a left turn signal; are you sure the other vehicle is actually going to turn left? Reference: Death by turn signal (part 1) - BC Driving Blog Who is at fault if a car signals but doesn't turn? - BC Driving Blog

27Oct 2021 by Carmen Cohoe

Halloween Safety Tips for Drivers, Parents & Kids

Driving Skills

Halloween Safety Tips for Parents & Kids: Make sure your kids are dressed in reflective gear, give them a few glow sticks or flash lights; if nothing else attach some reflective tape to their costumeTeach them not to dart across the road, cross only at the corners and look left & right (always look left first); better yet, go with them and use the opportunity to teach them about how to be a safe pedestrianRemind them not to rely on their ears alone; they must look as well; many new vehicles are very quiet (especially hybrids)Walk facing traffic, especially if there is no sidewalkConsider a community centre for younger children vs. trick or treatingPaint or decorate your pumpkin rather than cutting it to avoid having children use sharp objects. Tips…

10Oct 2021 by Carmen Cohoe

Question on Blocking Pedestrian Crosswalks – The Inevitable

Driving Skills

Question : I have a question about crosswalks which have no traffic lights and where you are trying to turn on to a busier road. I know that I should stop before the crosswalk and wait for pedestrians to clear. Once they clear, I can cover the crosswalk and start to edge out.But, what if the road I am trying to turn on to is a busy one and I am blocking the crosswalk for a while. More pedestrians may arrive to cross and they would be forced to go around me. Is this illegal or would I be marked down if it happened in the test? This is a good question. You're right in that when stopping, you should stop with your front bumper behind the white line (behind…

04Jul 2021 by Carmen Cohoe

Driving Away? Quick Summer Road Trip Check List

Driving Skills

Here are some ideas for summer road trips... Depending on how far you're going, you may find some of these items not necessary. Good to think about it though. Driving a camper? Make sure your vehicle is secure and your cargo is not overloaded. GPS; preferably one you can speak to without touching and that has a built-in Bluetooth (in cases where you must talk while driving). a REAL Map (for backup). I've heard stories of GPS' sending people to farms in the middle of no where, 50 miles in the wrong direction! Phone Charger & Phone - an extra phone and/or battery never hurt. Proof of Insurance and RoadSide Assistance / BCAA Membership. Do you have OnStar? BCAA? ICBC Road Side assistance? Do you know what your membership number…

03Jul 2021 by Carmen Cohoe

Which Color Of Car Is Best? 3 Best And Worst Choices

Driving Skills

Which Color Of Car Is Best For You? If you're wondering which color of car is best, you are not alone. But what does 'best' mean? The one that stays clean the longest? The one that stays out of collisions the most? Or the one that you need to be the most inconspicuous; for whatever the reason may be? Which Color Of Car Is Best? Car Color Safety You guessed it, certain color cars get more speeding tickets, and certain colors have less car crashes when compared to others. Research has been varied and generally inconclusive and/or unavailable in Canada, but several common trends have been noted in different studies for the states. And I imagine that it can not be that much different in Canada. Which Color Of Car…

Category: Driving Skills