Some suggestions and best practices when travelling BC highways to get you to your destination safely.
If you drive BC, we want you to “know before you go” by making DriveBC a regular part of pre-trip planning. Whatever we can do to make using the traveller information system easier, we’re all for. That includes answering your questions. We noticed some common questions, so we thought it would be a good idea to put them together as a helpful resource. Got a question about DriveBC? Good chance you’ll find the answer here: Q: How do you...
“It’s cold out.” “I’m tired.” “I don’t want to get to work all sweaty.” It’s easy to come up with excuses NOT to bike to work. Until you’ve tried it, that is. That’s part of what Bike to Work Week, which runs annually the last week of May, is about — encouraging newbies to try commuting from a saddle while celebrating the benefits that can only be understood with experience. This year (2015), Bike to Work Week runs...
The all-important pre-trip inspection was one of the hot topics when Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) officers hosted a “Know Your Recreational Vehicle” safety education event in Kamloops on May 2, 2015. Big thanks to CFJC TV for coming out to cover the event at the Kamloops Westbound scale. WATCH VIDEO There’s a lot to know about your RV. Once you’ve mastered your RV’s specifications – incuding everything from towing requirements to load capacity – it’s essential to...
Everyone’s recreational vehicle setup is different. From licencing to load and towing capacities, drivers can be left scratching their heads about their personal specifications… and how to travel safely (and legally) on BC highways. Our Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement (CVSE) branch wants to clear up any questions you may have about your RV to help gear you up for the adventures ahead this spring and summer. So, our trusty CVSE officers are shutting down the Kamloops Westbound Scale to...
From September to June, parents in rural areas send their children off to school on the big yellow school bus, trusting that their child will get to class and back home safely each day. They are counting on motorists to do the right thing (the law-abiding thing) by coming to a complete stop when approaching a school bus with its red lights flashing. Sadly, not everyone does stop when the school bus lights are flashing and kids could be...
It may be the 21st century, where almost anything goes as far as fashion is concerned…but don’t tell that to the Coquihalla. As far as this mountain pass is concerned, if you don’t show up for class in proper winter attire, you can prepare to get schooled. You see, mountain passes in B.C. subscribe to the “be prepared” school of fashion and they like to see their guests arrive properly dressed, to say the least. If not, you will...
Pop quiz! You’re driving a two-lane highway after a fresh dumping of snow. You spot the flashing lights of a snow plow up ahead in the left lane. You… a) Speed up to get ready to pass in the right lane; b) Maintain speed until you settle in close behind the plow; c) Flash your high beams until the plow truck pulls over to let you pass; d) Keep your distance until the plow truck pulls over to allow...
One of our ministry staff was driving along Westside Road near Kelowna recently and got a bit of a wildlife surprise. Nine bighorn sheep were gathered at the edge of the road, overlooking the lake! Have a look yourself: Did you know? Keeping an eye out for wildlife on the highway while you’re driving can prevent hazards to you both. And to help you in your travels, we’ve compiled some handy tips on how you can treat all of...
A roadside expert generously shared his knowledge with us recently, to help drivers #ShiftintoWinter, and keep everyone safer on B.C.’s roads. Larry Styba rescues vehicles as part of his job as a tow truck operator, trainer and public relations person with Maple Ridge Towing. A WreckMaster Level 6/7 certified towing and recovery operator, Larry sees and hears how people end up in mishaps that require his help. He also knows what’s needed to drive large vehicles in winter’s most...
Whether you drive or use the RapidBus service in Kelowna, we have some important news for you (and a fresh Kelowna HOV website). Based on monitoring and public feedback, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is turning the city’s Highway 97 High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, which operate fulltime now, into hourly HOV lanes. As of January 19 (2015), the lanes will be in effect weekdays between 7am to 7pm, excluding holidays, to better align with when traffic and...
