1984 Responses to “Comments And Questions”

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1. 1654
   Andrew, Saanich
   January 29th, 2010 at 7:02 pm

   Hello,

   Here is another note about the no hand held distraction law. Since this law has been in effect, people now are pulling over all over the place to talk on the phone. Is it safer to talk on the phone while driving, or force people to pull over? People now pull over, blocking traffic, swinging into parking spots, or daring down a side road to find a spot, I see quite a few vehicles on the highway shoulders as well, is that safer? People making quick lane changes to pull over. I know we shouldn’t be distracted but now they’ll be way more pulled over vehicles (or yahoo’s crazily pulling over) causing more problems than a few cell phone related accidents.

   Why do we discriminate against hand held devices? Hands free are just as distracting! Can’t you put a ‘hand held’ phone on your shoulder and drive with both hands? Now it’s hands free! The radio, loud sterio’s, people eating, putting on make-up is just as distracting.

   Through experience eating lunch and driving is way more distracting.

   Also I have noticed the intergraded police force has been heavily patrolling the Pat Bay this week! When travelling south after sayward I mostly do 70km’s, cause 50% of the time there are road traps! Like I tell everyone it’s like shooting fish in a barrel! I always amazes me how many people get nabbed at Royal Oak overpass going north!

   Can I also say Saanich needs to fix Roy Road close to Carey, there are so many deep pot holes we can start renting them out to tenants!

   Just my two Cents.

   Saanich Police Response:

   Hi Andrew,

   I would agree with you that cars pulling over unsafely can be as much of a risk as an individual talking on the phone while driving. However, cars making unsafe lane changes and pulling over in a dangerous manner as a result of receiving a phone call is not the design of the new law. Statistics prove that driving while talking on a hand-held phone or operating a hand-held device increase the chances of that driver being involved in an accident. So with that in mind, the new law makes perfect sense. In my humble opinion, it all boils down to a “re-think” of priorities. Is that incoming phone call of such urgency that it justifies a driver operating his or her car in a manner that endangers him or herself and all those nearby?

   And driving with a hand-held phone up on the shoulder thus making it “hands-free”, although creative, is still illegal. The driver must be unrestricted from performing all the physical requirements of driving, ie shoulder checks, not to mention that the new law states the device must be securely fixed to the vehicle.  Blocking traffic, unsafe lane changes, music too loud to the point where it hinders the driver, eating while driving, are all offences under the BC Motor Vehicle Act.

   Any complaints regarding the condition of Saanich roads can be made to the Saanich Roads Department at 250 475 5596. Or if any tenants have actually moved in to the pot-holes then perhaps to the Residential Tenancy Branch.

   Thanks for your comments, Andrew. Drive safe and have a great day!

   Response by Cst. Kris Dukeshire

    

2. 1653
   Brian, Langford
   January 29th, 2010 at 10:59 am

   Hi I’m currently going through the stages of the recruitment process with Saanich and I would like to do a couple of ride-a-longs for experience. I have picked up the application for a ride-a-long but I’m not sure if I need to fill out another criminal consent dislosure form( which is attached) since I filled one out when I first applied for a new recruit, please let me know

   Thank You

   Saanich Police Response:

   Brian,

   As long as you have completed the application form and submitted it, you will not need to fill out another criminal consent form.  So you should be good to go.

   Have fun on your ride-alongs!

   Response by Sgt. Julie Fast

3. 1652
   melvin, sannich
   January 27th, 2010 at 10:49 pm

   hello, i have recently received a ticket for tinted windows but i dont believe i should have received this ticket. Because i was not the registered owner of this car and i think a written warning would of sufficed in this situation, considering it was the first time offence and it was not registered to myself. what do you think if you were the one getting the ticket? it was not even my car!

   Saanich Police Response:

   Hi Melvin. Thanks for writing in.

   I can appreciate your frustration but as soon as we choose to put ourselves behind the wheel of a car we are responsible for that car, including it’s condition. For example…if I borrow your car but unbeknownst to me you haven’t insured it, if pulled over by the police I can be the one ticketed for no insurance and that officer would be well within his or her duties in doing so. That can be a surprise to a lot of people, in fact, I’m not sure if I was aware of that prior to becoming a police officer. 

   This is not the forum for me to comment on a fellow officer’s actions. I was not there at the time of the incident and am not aware of all that the officer was aware of so I am not in a position to fully answer your question. I’m sure you can understand.

   And just a reminder to everyone out there, anytime anyone has dealings with a police officer and has questions or concerns after the fact, that person is welcome to contact that officer to discuss the matter further. The more “two way” communication the better.

   Despite your recent misfortune, Melvin, I do hope you have a great weekend!

   Response by Cst. Kris Dukeshire

    

4. 1651
   Jim
   January 26th, 2010 at 9:13 am

   I often see pick-up trucks with oversized wheels or tires, thus raising the vehicle several inches or even several feet above the design height. As I believe this has destroyed the design “centre of gravity” for the vehicle, why are they allowed on our roads?

   Saanich Police Response:

   Hi Jim.

   To answer your question I spoke with a designated vehicle inspector who advised that these modifications that you refer to are legal as long as they comply with rules set out under the Motor Vehicle Inspection Rules, as set out by the Superintendant of Motor Vehicles. There is a maximum height allowed and yes, the higher it goes the more it affects the centre of gravity but some of that is countered by the larger tires and the subsequent increased surface area. The maximum height allowed still allows the vehicle to remain within safe limits. Mudguards must be installed to keep spray to a minimum and the width of the tires is not allowed to exceed the width of the wheel wells. If they do then extensions over the wells must be installed. Modified vehicles need to be inspected and approved for legal street use in BC.

   Thanks for writing in.

   Response by Cst. Kris Dukeshire

    

5. 1650
   Meg in Saanich
   January 25th, 2010 at 9:36 am

   One of our neighbours frequently parks one of several cars on the streetside in an area that is in close proximity to or even completely obstructing to the fire hydrant on our cul-de-sac. There are other more appropriate locations including two streetside spots directly in front of the property they are renting, and the three or four driveway spaces plus double garage on the property itself. The landlord supports us in our concerns and has spoken to them about their parking habits a few times that I am aware of. Perhaps if a ticket was given for the illegal parking by/in front of the fire hydrant the message would be taken more seriously? Any advice for us?

   ***removed by site administrator***

   Thank you

   Saanich Police Response:

   Hi Meg. Parking complaints can be reported to Saanich Police by calling our non-emergency number or attending our front desk. Saanich has a Parking Enforcement Commissonaire who, from Monday to Friday 0600 to 1400, will respond to the complaint. Any parking complaint received outside of those hours will be assigned to a patrol member. Either way, the complaint will be addressed.

   I am going to pass on your email (with the vehicle particulars and location) on to the Commissionaire so that he is aware of the problem. But you don’t need to wait, feel free to contact us the next time the infraction is taking place.

   Have a great day!

   Response by Cst. Kris Dukeshire

6. 1649
   A C
   January 24th, 2010 at 12:51 pm

   hello
   may i or can i contest a warning ticket.?
   a c hallihan

   Saanich Police Response:

   You may not contest a warning ticket because there is no punative measures attached to it - ie. there is no fine, penalty points, court appearance, etc.  A warning ticket is simply that - a warning.  It acts as a physical reminder to whatever it was that you were doing that was wrong, likely driving behaviour.  A warning ticket supports a verbal warning with the intent on changing behaviour, not penalizing behaviour.

   Response by Sgt. Julie Fast

    

7. 1648
   Logan, Victoria
   January 23rd, 2010 at 5:19 pm

   Hey there. I’ve got a question/comment. It’s something that’s been bothering me a lot lately.

   I feel as though I’m being wrongfully and illogically singled out by traffic police. I’m sure people complain about this all the time but hear me out.

   I moved to Victoria about a year and a half ago. At the time, I owned and operated a small pickup truck. I’ve since traded the truck in for a sports car (not going to say what kind. Last thing I need is MORE harassment). I don’t drive any differently than I did in my truck but now it seems I’m being pulled over all the time for speeding.

   I’m sure the first question in everyone’s mind is “well, were you speeding?” and yes. Yes I speed all the time. Not because I’m driving fast but because I’m following traffic on the Pat Bay hwy and EVERYONE is speeding.

   Now that the setting has been laid out, the question I came here to ask is this:

   Why, when a large group of cars are travelling at the same speed, do the police single out the sports car(s) in the group and leave everyone else alone? What kind of foolish logic is that? If a group of 20 cars are travelling in a group and somewhere in the middle there’s a sports car, why is he/she the one pulled over and ticketed? It makes no sense to me. Why pull over the ONE vehicle in the group that’s designed specifically for handling safely at high speeds? Wouldn’t logic dictate that since speed limits are designed for safety, that you should pull over the LEAST safe car when you’re only able to pull one person over?

   The speed limit on the Pat Bay flip-flops more than the footwear of the same name. Getting pulled over while following traffic doing about 100 on a highway is getting very annoying. It seems to me like some kind of sick money grab. Just target whoever appears to have the most money, they’re most likely to keep their mouth shut and just pay the ticket, right?

   Bah. Sorry to sound so angry but in all honesty, I am. I’m not saying people with fast cars should be exempt from the speed limit I just don’t see the fairness in singling them out just for having a nicer car.

   Somebody throw me a bone here. I just want to know if there’s some kind of legitimate reasoning behind this. The guys at work seem to think it’s because “they are most likely to speed again” but that answer doesn’t fly with me. Almost everyone speeds, almost all of the time. That’s not a valid reason.

   Help me out here.

   Saanich Police Response:

   Hi Logan. I am sorry to hear you feel you are being harassed. I honestly do not believe there is any intent by any police agency to single you out amongst other speeders. Our officers, when using laser to determine vehicle speed, are pointing the laser at one specific vehicle. That officer, in the scope, sees a red dot targeted on the front of the offending vehicle. It is that vehicle that will then be pulled over. It would be difficult to target a vehicle in the middle of the pack but having said that, that does not exclude that vehicle from being pulled over. If an officer has “clocked” a lead vehicle but can observe that a neighbouring vehicle is doing the same speed then both vehicles can be potentially ticketed.

   I have never received instruction or training that directed police to target sports cars over other cars on the road. Nor have I ever heard discussions of the kind amongst my fellow officers. It is difficult to answer as to why you have received the attention you have, outside of the obvious reason that you are admittedly speeding. The police officer(s) who have issued tickets to you would have provided their badge number on your copy of the ticket. If you have unanswered questions about those specific incidents feel free to contact those officers. They would be better equipped to give you an informed answer than I as to what took place on those specific occasions.

   Hope that’s of some help, Logan. Drive safe.

   Response by Cst. Kris Dukeshire

8. 1647
   Krista, Victoria
   January 23rd, 2010 at 7:46 am

   I just wanted to thank you for this service. My parents had fallen victim to the predatory selling practices of Advanced Air Supply and found, through Google search, that they were not the only ones. I was also able to read that you followed up on the complaints and could verify that this was a legitimate business.

   While my parents are shamed and embarrassed they at least managed to tell me within 10 days so we could take advantage of the “buyer’s right to cancel” the agreement.

   Thanks again!

9. 1646
   Sheila, Cobble Hill
   January 22nd, 2010 at 3:12 pm

   I have one more question for you. I see many drivers with “N” on some part of their car….and I’ve seen the same cars still with an “N” that seem to have been there for an awfully long time….in fact one I know has been on for at least 2 years. I realize they’re driving with restrictions, but can they still be classified a “New” forever? If so, why?

   Saanich Police Response:

   In BC we have the Graduated Licensing Program which all new driver’s, regardless of age, have to progress through.  You start out in the Learner stage - the red “L” you see on the back of cars.  This stage lasts for 1 year and can not be shortened.  You can extend this period of time though if you feel you are not ready to pass the road test required to become a Novice driver.

   The Novice stage - the green “N” - lasts for 2 years but can be shortened by taking an ICBC approved driver education course while in the Learner’s stage.  With this completed, 6 months can be taken off your Novice stage.  And again, this stage can also be extended, particularly if your driving is poor and you get a violation ticket, be prohibited or be involved in an at-fault crash.

   Why is the time period for each stage so long?  The simple answer is that it makes our roadways safer.  And what better of a reason is there.  Driving is a complex task that requires a lot of practice to get good at.  Rushing someone through the process just so they can drive restriction-free does not benefit anyone.  And on the flip side, the consequences of not taking the time to properly learn to drive in a responsible, safe manner far outweigh the inconvenience of being a Novice driver for 2 years. 

   I hope that answers your question.

   Response by Sgt. Julie Fast

    

10. 1645
    Sheila, Cobble Hill
    January 21st, 2010 at 12:56 pm

    I work in Sidney and live in Cobble Hill and as a result I do a long commute twice a day, four days a week. Yesterday while waiting to turn left at McKenzie off the Trans-Canada Highway, our particular lane did not move on the green light and as I was the second car in the line looked to see what the hold-up was. It was a young girl in her pretty silver Mustang talking avidly on her cell phone. What I would like to know is should I be reporting drivers that are obviously breaking the law? Not speeders, as I know how fast they’re traveling, but certainly couldn’t prove it. But I often see reckless drivers or drivers that are just the opposite, obviously paranoid to be on the Malahat. I’m not trying to be a tattle tale, but as I need to be on these roads, I’d like them to be as “idiot-proof” as possible. My major concern is that so many drivers cross the line into my lane even on a gentle curve in the road, but I can’t see how to improve on that. Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read this. I’m contacting you because I know some police officers who work/worked for you and didn’t know where else to send this. Sincerely,
    Sheila

    Saanich Police Response:

    Hi Sheila, thanks for your question. That’s a lot of commuting and I can appreciate your concern for safer roads.

    To answer your question, yes, you can report the above mentioned offences (including speeding) to the police department responsible for the area where the offence takes place. For example, you can report the girl on the cell phone to the Saanich Police as the Trans-Canada and McKenzie intersection is in the Municipality of Saanich. We do require the licence plate number of the offender so that we have the registered owner’s contact information. The report would then be forwarded on to our Traffic Safety Section who would then follow up with the girl who was on the phone. The matter can be concluded with either a warning or violation ticket being issued. Either way, the driving behaviour is documented which provides both the police and potentially ICBC with a more detailed driving history on the individual in question.

    I have provided a link to a page on our website that outlines the new “Distracted Driving Legislature” for our reader’s review.

    Drivers are always accountable for their manner of driving, regardless of whether police are present or not. Take care and safe commuting!

    Response by Cst. Kris Dukeshire  

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