Recent car chases in both Ontario and British Columbia have renewed national attention on police pursuit policies. In the Ontario case, two teenage girls were killed when a 15-year-old called, Chevon Josephs, fleeing police in a stolen vehicle at high speed, struck the taxi in which they were riding. The thief died too.

We recommend www.roadtripamerica.com especially for the article on its “Tips for Road trippers” page entitled, Drive Safe with Uncle Bob. “Uncle Bob” isBob Schaller, a former long-haul truck driver, commercial pilot, salesman, civil servant in Arizona's judicial branch, a defensive driving instructor and an expert in Arizona traffic law. He is also a plain speaking fount of knowledge, wisdom, and common sense about safe driving which he has distilled into 70 rules, each illustrated by a road sign that clearly communicates its essence.

In mid-January of this year three teens in a car driven by an “N” designated (Novice) driver went through the stop sign at the intersection of Cambie and No. 7 Road in Richmond, slid out of control and landed roof-down in a deep water-filled ditch. All three died. Speed was a factor and the driver, in having more than one passenger without also having a supervisor at least 25 years old with a valid Class 5 driver’s license, was in breach of the conditions of his license.

The high-quality road system we enjoy functions as well as it does because the majority of road-users are law-abiding. Last New Year’s day, however, reports of regularly observed driver behaviour have raised some doubts. Stop signs, yellow and red lights, no left turn before 6:00 P.M. signs, no right turn before 9:00 A.M. signs, school zone slow down signs were reportedly disobeyed with abandon. What was going on?

Reportedly, over one million Canadians a year vacation in Mexico. This is an attractive and, relatively speaking, affordable, travel destination in the winter months. Some Canadians actually drive to Mexico. Many tourists rent vehicles while they are there. When heading to Mexico, it has to be kept in mind that the road system design and upkeep, and the rules of road safety (that is, the rules that are actually enforced) are by all accounts quite different to what we know and expect in BC.