New rule in BC takes effect, hanging out in the left lane is not right
BC’s new highway left lane rules take effect June 12 2015. On highways (with a speed limit of 80 kmh or more) with two or more lanes in the travelled direction, you are required to move into the right lane for travel. No more hanging out in the left lane. Permitted uses of the left-most lane are Overtaking and passing another vehicle Moving left to allow traffic to merge Preparing for a left hand turn Moving left to pass an official vehicle displaying a flashing light When the right...
Read MoreFuel for the Mindful Driver: Left Hand Turns
FUEL FOR THE MINDFUL DRIVER: Left Hand Turns Left hand turns are the most dangerous turns on a two way street, and yet it is the one turn where risks are taken more often then not. There are several reasons why some drivers are failing to either yield to oncoming traffic or enter the intersection when they should have taken the opportunity to stop and wait for the next light. Risk taking behaviour is always driven by an intense emotion. The reasons are as varied as drivers themselves. The fear...
Read MoreFuel for the Mindful Driver: and their dog
FUEL FOR THE MINDFUL DRIVER: A good reminder for the warmer season ahead! A car in the sun will heat up to dangerous temperatures much faster than you think, even if the window is partially open. “Just a few minutes” of shopping can turn into an hour or more if we unintentionally get distracted. A car in the shade can become a car in the sun as time goes on. Don’t leave pets in hot...
Read MoreFuel for the Mindful Driver: Fear to Anxiety
FUEL FOR THE MINDFUL DRIVER: From Fear to Anxiety Fear and short term worry are natural ways to solve real-life problems. They may slow down or stop certain life/daily activities to give time for healing or for us to find solutions. It works similarly a cast on a broken leg. The stress of walking has been eliminated to give time for healing, then when the cast is removed, the leg has to readjust to walking. This may be more uncomfortable than expected, but if the cast is not removed in...
Read MoreFuel for the mindful driver: Escape the Drama
FUEL FOR THE MINDFUL DRIVER: Escape the Drama This is a beautiful story told by a courageous driver who was able to recognize that the thoughts in his head were a self-created drama designed to make him right and others wrong. We all do this at one time or an other, but rarely do we catch ourselves or have the universe give us a wake-up call. In MINDFUL DRIVING we attend to WHAT IS, not to what IT SHOULD be, or what WE WANT IT TO BE. That also includes being aware of feeling irritated, or being...
Read MoreHow does another driver know what I am thinking?
“Hi Ingrid You taught our son how to drive (practicing with him, and modelling good driving, have made us better drivers as well). The following comes up for me when I am driving around Victoria, I wonder what your thoughts are? How does another driver know what you are thinking? When you are driving in your own lane, and approaching an intersection or a driveway, have you ever experienced Another car racing up to a stop sign and then suddenly stopping at the last moment Another car...
Read MoreFuel for the Mindful Driver: Good news for parents
FUEL FOR THE MINDFUL DRIVER: Good news for parents of teenagers. Parents can feel helpless when confronted with risk-taking behaviour in their teenagers and the influence of their peer groups. Parents need to know that their children do value their input and that their advice is important to their children — even though at the time parents only hear protests. I am speaking from experience: as both a mother and a driving instructor, my children heard a lot of advice and rarely...
Read MoreFuel for the Mindful Driver: Anticipation
FUEL FOR THE MINDFUL DRIVER: So this is what happened to day — Traveling in the right hand lane on Bay Street towards the hospital, a black car is in the left-turn-only lane, just before Cook Street. He’s just a bit ahead of me, we are both traveling at 40 km/h and since I do not see his left signal on, I start to wonder if he just might want to come into my lane. I had already made sure that even though he is a bit ahead of me, I am not in his blind spot (in case he does not...
Read MoreFuel for the Mindful Driver: Roundabouts
FUEL FOR THE MINDFUL DRIVER: About Roundabouts ‘Round Here More and more intersections have been converted to roundabouts in greater Victoria area. They are designed to keep traffic flowing and have proven effective in many cities for years. However, Victoria drivers are taking a while to get used to them. Most important: Before entering the roundabout, the driver must yield to traffic approaching on the left. This kind of intersection should not be confused with a traffic circle in...
Read MoreWhat are the restrictions on a Novice driver in BC?
A Novice driver is one who has passed their road test and been granted a Class 7 license. From ICBC, these are the restrictions on a Novice driver in British Columbia. No blood alcohol:You must not drive with any alcohol in your body Display N sign:Display N sign on the back of your vehicle No electronic devices:No hand-held or hands-free electronic devices Limit one passenger:1 passenger only (immediate family exempt) unless with supervisor age 25+...
Read MoreWhat are the restrictions on a Learner driver in BC?
The Learner driver is someone who has passed the written exam, but has not yet passed the road test for a Novice Class 7 license. From ICBC, these are the restrictions For passenger vehicles, the learner stage takes at least 12 months. During this time, you must: drive with a qualified supervisor, in the front seat, 25 or older, who has a valid driver’s licence carry no more than two passengers, including your supervisor drive only between 5 a.m. and midnight display your red...
Read MoreWho is allowed to practice with a learner driver?
Who is allowed to practice with a learner driver and what does the supervisor need to consider? The supervisor of a learner must hold a valid class 5 license and be at least 25 years of age, and fit to drive. Only one additional passenger is allowed in the vehicle during private practice sessions. Practice time is permitted only between 6 AM to midnight. The L sign must be properly displayed at all times when the learner is behind the wheel. Also it is advisable to check with your...
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