Tim Schewe

Behind the Wheel: More than one method to secure your vehicle

In most cases you can still leave the windows down to keep animals in the vehicle cool in warmer weather...

How wide? How long? How high?

These questions, when asked in relation to vehicles and their loads, probably bring large commercial vehicles to mind for most drivers

As pedestrians, do we trust drivers too much?

She did not hesitate to step into the crosswalk even though a vehicle on her left had stopped halfway across it waiting to enter traffic

Smart cyclists ride on the right side of the road

If you are riding on the wrong side drivers are not looking for you there...

Be smart about vehical modifications

Some vehicle modifications are unique and permitted by law, but some are unsafe...

Traffic signs have quiet but important jobs

We rely on it to tell us when to stop, how fast to go, which way to turn or whether we can travel in a certain direction...

Flashing hazards at those following too close

If I am unable to actually see the licence plate on the car following me in my rear view mirror, I activate my four way flashers

Motor assisted cycle or motorcycle?

Taking the pedals off of your motor assisted cycle or attaching a gasoline engine to a bicycle, both could land you in trouble

People that you won’t share the road with

...When I saw this behaviour while patrolling I almost always stopped and ticketed the tailgating driver...

Turn signals not always a polite request

In some circumstances a turn signal may be an indication from the driver that something beyond their control has happened...

RCMP use Automated Licence Plate Recognition frequently

Cameras mounted on police vehicles scan vehicle licence plates as they pass and compare them to a computer database

Sorry, it’s a tow or a no-go

The officer may face serious financial consequences for having been "a good guy/gal" and letting you go

Municipalities have traffic bylaws, too

What you may not have considered but could still run afoul of are local traffic bylaws enacted by municipalities

Court not place for complaints

You start to tell the justice how badly you were treated at the roadside only to find that your testimony is being brought to a halt...

Dash-mounted camera could protect you after crash

The video is a reliable witness that you can use to protect your interests when something goes wrong

Unless in crosswalk, pedestrians must yield

Right of way generally belongs to the driver outside of crosswalks

What should a driver do if they hit an animal?

If it is daylight, I could knock on a door to ask whom the animal belongs to, but what if it is late evening or after midnight?

Running lights not enough at dusk and dawn

If you don't reach down and turn on the headlights yourself, the rear of your vehicle will remain dark, putting you and others at risk

Turning right on Ryan Road

Courtenay resident is upset with drivers who turn left from the Island Highway onto Ryan Road and fail to enter the first available lane

Vehicle lighting at night

The driver of a truck tractor with no trailer pulled in front of him using the right lane and flashed his backup and docking lamps...