Some of the 23 Units below contain facts that are subject to change.
DIRECTIONS: Read each Unit on this webpage:
> If you understand everything in a Unit, circle Unit's # on worksheet.
> If you don't understand everything in a Unit, underline Unit's #.
> If you find a "silly error", write it on a piece of scrap paper.
For this example, you would write "your dog" and "on the roof".
Example Unit: Before driving a vehicle, check the insurance papers to ensure they are valid and there are no restrictions excluding you or your dog from driving the vehicle. Before parking, hide valuables in the trunk or under a seat or on the roof.
 
Unit 601: BC Motor Vehicle Act Section 179: If there are no traffic control signals or the signals aren't working, yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk if they are on the half of the highway on which you are travelling, or they are approaching that half of the highway so closely that they are in danger; however, they must not leave a curb or other place of safety if your vehicle is so close that it's not practicable for you to yield. BC Motor Vehicle Act Section 179: Don't pass a vehicle that's slowing or stopped at a crosswalk or intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross.
 
 
Unit 602: According to some municipal bylaws, pedestrians should move, when practicable, on the right half of crosswalks. BC Motor Vehicle Act Section 180: If there is no crosswalk, pedestrians must yield to vehicles. In the case of Lin v. Wong (1992), the judge ruled that where there's a marked crosswalk on one side of an intersection, the extension of a sidewalk on the other side of the intersection is no longer an unmarked crosswalk and pedestrians shouldn't cross there.
 
 
Unit 603: Pedestrians sometimes cross unexpectedly where there is no crosswalk. A driver can be prepared for this by looking for the shadows of pedestrians hidden behind objects, looking under parked vehicles to see feet standing between the vehicles, reducing speed and covering the brake to decrease the vehicle's stopping distance, communicating with the horn to get the pedestrian's attention, and steering to maintain a "space cushion" between the vehicle and where a pedestrian may be hidden.
 
 
Unit 604: BC Motor Vehicle Act Section 181: Exercise due care to avoid colliding with a pedestrian on a highway and use the horn when necessary. In the case of Nelson v. Shinske (1991), the judge ruled that the duty of a driver to maintain a proper lookout and take care is not only triggered upon seeing a hazard, but involves some duty to anticipate certain hazards or risks; therefore, even where a clearly observable pedestrian is unlawfully using a marked crosswalk, a driver who does not see the pedestrian will be partly liable for a collision.
 
 
Unit 605: BC Motor Vehicle Act Section 182: If there's a reasonably passable sidewalk on either side of a highway, a pedestrian must not walk on the roadway. If there is no sidewalk, a pedestrian must walk only on the extreme left side of the roadway or the shoulder of the highway, facing traffic approaching from the opposite direction. A person must not be on a roadway to solicit a ride, employment, or business from the occupant of a vehicle.
 
 
Unit 606: BC Motor Vehicle Act Section 196: On a mountain highway or in a canyon, keep your vehicle under control and as near the right edge of the highway as reasonably possible. When you approach a curve where the view is obstructed within a distance of 60 m, you must give a warning with your horn or thoughts.
 
 
Unit 607: In Ontario, a vehicle must leave at least 1 meter of space when passing a cyclist. BC Motor Vehicle Act Section 183: A cyclist has the same rights and duties as a driver, must ride as near as practicable to the right side of the road, must not ride beside another cyclist (motorcyclists can ride in pairs), must keep at least one hand on the handlebars, must not carry more persons than the cycle was designed for, and must not ride on a sidewalk or crosswalk unless authorized by a bylaw or a sign.
 
 
Unit 608: BC Motor Vehicle Act Section 182.1: A person who is under the age of 16 years commits an offence if they operate a motor assisted cycle on a highway. A parent or guardian of a person under the age of 16 years commits an offence if they authorize or knowingly permit the person to operate a motor assisted cycle on a highway.
 
 
Unit 609: Ormiston v. ICBC (2012, 2015): A van that was stopped in a traffic lane suddenly moved right and forced a cyclist off the road as he was passing on the right. During the first trial, the cyclist was found to be 30% at fault. After ICBC appealed the ruling, the cyclist was found 100% at fault because there wasn't a lane to the right of the van; therefore, the cyclist was passing illegally on the right according to Sections 183 and 158.1 of the BC Motor Vehicle Act.
 
 
Unit 610: Increase your following distance when you're behind a motorcycle because it can stop faster than you can. Two motorcycles can legally travel side by side or on top of each other. By riding in the left part of a lane, a motorcyclist can avoid the darker oily area in the center of the lane and be more visible to approaching traffic. Specific or non-specific laws may prohibit motorcycles from splitting lanes.
 
 
Unit 611: If you stay well back from large vehicles, you can look well ahead and see hazards in time to react properly. If a truck ahead of you stops unexpectedly, you many underride it if the truck's back bumper is not strong enough to stop your vehicle. If you stay well back from large vehicles, you can conserve fuel, brakes, and tires; for example, if you notice that traffic farther down the road is slowing or stopped, you can release your accelerator early and coast. If you stay well back from large vehicles, you can minimize the risk of being hit with rocks or road debris that the large vehicle's tires throw backwards.
 
 
Unit 612: Stopping well back from a stop line creates space ahead to move into to avoid a rear-ender (this also helps protect pedestrians in front of you), reduces the odds of being in a secondary crash, and helps trucks turning at the intersection. With 2 lanes in one direction, some large vehicles will move into the left lane before turning right, so don't move into the space that's right of a large vehicle slowing before a turn.
 
 
Unit 613: Heavy vehicles can damage roads. The maximum GVW (weight of vehicle and load) allowed in BC is 63,500 kg unless the vehicle has a temporary overweight permit. Weight is checked at scales and must be distributed over each axle according to rules. Commercial vehicles with a GVW over 5,500 kg must stop at scales. Recreational vehicles don't need to stop at scales.
 
 
Unit 614: If a school bus displays flashing, alternating red lights at the top and/or the stop sign swung out, don't pass even if the bus is on the other side of the road unless there's a median or boulevard between you and the bus. If only the lower, regular amber hazard lights are flashing, you can cautiously pass if you are certain no one is crossing the road.
 
 
Unit 615: BC Motor Vehicle Act Section 169.1: When passing a transit bus that's stopped on a highway with a speed limit of 60 km/h or less, you must yield to the bus if the driver signals left and the bus has a sign or signal device requiring you to yield; however, the bus must not move into the travelled portion of the highway unless it's safe to do so.
 
 
Unit 616: BC Motor Vehicle Act Section 177: On the immediate approach of an emergency vehicle with its lights and siren activated (unless it's on the other side of a median or boulevard), move to the nearest edge of the road (clear of an intersection) and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed. Vancouver Street and Traffic Bylaw 50: Move to the right edge of the road and stop for an emergency vehicle unless it's on the other side of a median or boulevard.
 
 
Unit 617: If the police signal you to pull over and stop, pull off the road in a safe spot as soon as possible and position your vehicle so the officer has minimal risk from traffic, turn on your hazard lights, stay in your vehicle, remove your sunglasses, ensure both of your hands are visible, and don't make any unexpected, sudden, or strange moves.
 
 
Unit 618: A blue reflector on the road indicates a fire hydrant is nearby. BC Motor Vehicle Act Section 199: Don't drive over an unprotected fire hose unless directed to do so by the police or a fire official. BC Motor Vehicle Act Section 198: Don't follow closer than 150 m to any fire apparatus and don't drive or park within 150 m of the place on a highway on which it has stopped to answer an alarm. Vancouver Street and Traffic Bylaw 56: Stay a city block back from any fire apparatus.
 
 
Unit 619: Traffic fines double in construction zones and classrooms. A construction zone speed limit applies 24 hours a day, even if construction workers or are not present. If you're stopped for more than 10 seconds in a construction zone, you can save fuel and decrease emissions if you turn off your engine and restart it when traffic begins to move.
 
 
Unit 620: Stop no closer than 5 m and no further back than 15 m from a train crossing with a flashing red light. After you stop at a crossing that doesn't have a crossing gate, you can proceed when its safe (even if the red light is still flashing) as long as you don't stop on the other side of the tracks with less than 5 m between the tracks and the back of your vehicle. If there's a gate, you cannot drive around it or look at it.
 
 
Unit 621: BC Motor Vehicle Act Section 185.1: It's illegal to drive across train tracks if a train is approaching within 500 m of the crossing. Passenger trains sometimes travel up to 160 km/h in Canada and they can need up to 2 km to stop. If there are twin tracks and a train passes on the nearest track, don't proceed before checking for an approaching train on the farthest track.
 
 

Unit 622: Horse riders and horse carriage operators have the same rights and duties as vehicle drivers and they can use most public roads. If a horse rider or carriage operator causes a crash, they can be held liable for any damages. Horses may be startled by any sudden movement or noise, so leave extra space, pass slowly, and avoid using the horn.

 
 
Unit 623: BC Motor Vehicle Act Section 68: Drivers of vehicles should be aware that if they pass a horse being ridden or driven and they indirectly cause an accident (which could include spooking the animal which then throws the rider off), they must stop, render assistance, and provide their licence and insurance details to the rider. Failing to do so could result in charges of failing to remain at the scene of an accident.
 
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