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Some
of the 23 Units below contain facts that are subject to change. |
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DIRECTIONS:
Read each
Unit on this webpage: |
>
If you understand
everything in a Unit, circle Unit's
# on worksheet. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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.
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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. |
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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. |
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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.
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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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