Goofy behaviour abounds on our roads
By Steve Wallace
Times Colonist, March 29th 2019
An alleged car thief who drove a Bentley the wrong way on the Coquihalla to evade police put other drivers in a ridiculous amount of danger, Steve Wallace writes.
Sometimes we see things in the traffic system that are beyond belief, or at least difficult to comprehend.
It could be somewhat entertaining, if not for the danger to life and limb.
Take, for example, the recent news report of the stolen Bentley speeding at oncoming vehicular traffic on the wrong side of the road on the Coquihalla.
You would think the thief would want to be inconspicuous.
Think about it: A new vehicle of this type would sell for about the same price as a bungalow in any southern Interior B.C. city.
What do you think was going through the mind of the dummy behind the wheel?
Driving on a four-lane divided highway, with two lanes on each side, and being in the oncoming lane, commonly referred to as the passing lane of the opposite side, is nothing short of suicidal.
Fortunately, the owner’s car was returned by police, with minor damage.
The mystery continues, since the culprit is still at large.
Goofy behaviour, but far more dangerous than the common crash potential situations.
Perhaps the most contradictory confrontation was recently witnessed on an Island sidewalk.
A person riding a Segway is supposed to be on the sidewalk.
There are several riders who use the bike lanes, but the legality of this type of commuting is still dubious.
This is a clear case of the technology getting ahead of the legality of its use.
Recently, a person riding this mobile option was chided by a cyclist on the sidewalk.
Bikes should be on the road, not the sidewalk. To make matters worse, the cyclist was not wearing a helmet.
Cyclists and skateboarders are to be on the road.
The non-enforcement of situations like this is a sore point with many pedestrians.
While travelling on a minor 50-kilometre-per-hour road, I was passed by a guy on an electric motor scooter, with pedals mounted. He was going at maximum allowable speed.
There seemed to be something missing.
There was no licence plate.
There was no way of identifying the rider or the vehicle.
This seems to be a very strange situation.
Upon seeking clarification from a statutory authority, who wishes to remain anonymous, it was learned that this kind of travel option is often used by those under driving suspension, for various reasons, including a drunk-driving conviction and various driving prohibitions.
Goofy at best!
The traffic laws governing inline skaters, fat-tire electric bikes, motorized skateboards and mobility scooters need to be readdressed, and the legislation is certainly worth a second look and revision.
Let’s qualify the goofy and define the acceptable.
Most pedestrians do not appreciate the danger that surrounds them at every juncture in the transportation system.
When the Don’t Walk signal is evident at an intersection, it is not a time to begin to get across the road.
Only those pedestrians already underway, on the road, should proceed.
The above-mentioned signal does not mean “run.” This is truly goofy behaviour.
At the same time as some pedestrians are making the ill-advised decision to run, a driver wishing to make a right turn on a red traffic light is far too occupied with judging the left-side gap in traffic necessary to make the right turn.
The goofy behaviour of pedestrians is difficult to comprehend: Many have their heads buried in the screen of their cellphone.
It is an offence to use the phone in this manner when crossing.
Can you blame a driver who toots the horn to wake up a seemingly sleepwalking pedestrian?
Other goofy behaviours include a seatbelt dangling from the bottom of the car door, a drink on the roof, or an open hood, trunk or door while travelling.
What are some of your favourite goofy moments?
