Topic: "Warning letter"

[si]

.....

[rrocket]

Isn't yellow lines and signage considered "precautionary" and not mandatory laws?  It's my understanding that passing on white lines is a no-no.  Look into it...

[Hal]

Solid yellow line = no passing AFAIK. Also, passing someone in a 50km zone doesn't sound too good. No offence dude, but I think you will have a tough time arguing this one - you have basically already admitted that you were in the wrong, no matter how irritating it is to be stuck behind someone doing 40 in a 50 zone.

[si]

I beleive in BC, a single yellow line means you can legally pass.

This was a straight bit of road with nobody else on the road and no houses/buildings/driveways/streets on either side.

[Hal]

Sounds like you might have a good case then. Question then becomes: Is it worth the hassle?. Tough call.

[Trainman]

I beleive in BC, a single yellow line means you can legally pass.

This was a straight bit of road with nobody else on the road and no houses/buildings/driveways/streets on either side.

I would double check on the single solid line thing first.  I know lots of roads in BC with a single solid yellow line that I would never pass on, mostly less used back roads but twisty/hilly with poor sight lines.

For example, Prospect Lake Road and some roads in the Highlands come to mind although it has been a few years since I drove those.

What road did this happen on?

[rrocket]

Well there MUST be some difference between yellow and white lines then.  I was told before that anything yellow is precautionary which includes sign.  Hmmm...guess we'll have to look this up.....

[mdxtasy]

I don't pass unless the line is dotted.  Solid line...nope.  I don't know if it's the law, but that's just what I do.

[ovr50]

I rather dislike the tone of the letter that states "your driving and lack of regard for others using the roadway is unacceptable". Talk about being convicted without a trial, without a witness (other than the other party), and based on the say-so of one other person (who may have been contributing to a dangerous situation by driving too slowly). As an aside - I can relate to your frustration with slow drivers as this place is full of them.

What gives the police the right to make such a statement? Maybe the complainant is lying? Maybe the complainant was not of the proper mental faculties to make the judgement call about Sivic's speed or actions? Since when does a letter or black mark go on your driving record based on the sole say-so of one other party? This is getting close to a police state and lacks the element of justice.

What utter BS in my mind. I don't care whether the double line was there or not - the bigger issue is the unilateralness of the police letter and their position taken on one person's opinion.

Geez.  

[si]

http://icbc.com/licensing/RoadSense%20for%20Drivers%20PDFs/RoadSense_for_Drivers_Signs_Signals_and_Road_Markings_MV2075.pdf

see page 36  "passing is allowed when safe"



I wish the traffic safety unit here would focus more on issues that matter, like keeping right. 
I wish that police understood that driving above the speed limit and driving dangerously can be mutually exclusive... Actually, I wish that speed limits here were set to reasonable speeds and I wish all drivers would respect those limits and have the driving skills needed for them (although the latter point may be futile given our demographics)

[village]

I know someone in Victoria who received a similar letter for tailgaiting.  I'm also under the impression that in BC passing on a single yellow line is legal.  Even if most times I've seen a single yellow I wouldn't consider passing on that stretch of road.

I think it's just used as a scare tactic and doesn't show up anywhre on your insurance and unlikely the next time they run CPIC on you when they get your for speeding.

[articsteve]

Solid yellow double lines or single solid yellow lines for that matter that separate opposite traffic flow on Ontario roadways are advisory only.  I cross them all the time and on wide open corners.  Flips other drivers out. 

[ghost]

I only pass on dotted lines. I believe double solid lines = no passing. Not sure about single solid lines though.

[mdxtasy]

I rather dislike the tone of the letter that states "your driving and lack of regard for others using the roadway is unacceptable". Talk about being convicted without a trial, without a witness (other than the other party), and based on the say-so of one other person (who may have been contributing to a dangerous situation by driving too slowly). As an aside - I can relate to your frustration with slow drivers as this place is full of them.

What gives the police the right to make such a statement? Maybe the complainant is lying? Maybe the complainant was not of the proper mental faculties to make the judgement call about Sivic's speed or actions? Since when does a letter or black mark go on your driving record based on the sole say-so of one other party? This is getting close to a police state and lacks the element of justice.

What utter BS in my mind. I don't care whether the double line was there or not - the bigger issue is the unilateralness of the police letter and their position taken on one person's opinion.

Geez. 

Not the most professionally worded letter.  Probably an intimidation tactic...is it a personal letter or do you think it's a template that the police force uses to send out to reported drivers?

[Snowman]

File the letter and move on. There is absolutely nothing the police officer can do in these types of minor infractions unless he witnessed the offence himself. Been there done that on many occasions. If you chose to challenge the officer you may bring unnecessary attention to yourself, if you know what I mean.

[bmorton]

In Ontario a solid yellow line, whether it's single or double, is a recommendation, not an absolute. The Highway Traffic Act spells out under what conditions you can drive "to left of centre"; essentially you need to be able to see what's coming. However, most people are under the impression that crossing the line IS illegal, so I very rarely do it.

My understanding is that all police forces will send out these "warning letters" to drivers based on complaints, but I assume they just have a form letter with a spot at the top to fill in the alleged offence - based on what the other driver reported, of course.

[Trainman]

Thanks ovr.



This occured through mount douglas parkway

In the park itself?  That is a known "slow" area due to the tourist traffic and it has lots of little trails that come down to the road, not to mention several crosswalks marked with brick crossings.  If the west side of the park, it is very twisty and you could end up getting nailed for passing when unsafe.  East side of the park the road opens out to 4 lanes in less tham a km and the police will want to know what your rush was.

I would move on from that this one, not a good place to be picking your battle.

[Loudpedal]

Anyway I can respond to the officer about this warning but is it worth my time? 

IMO, it's not worth your time.   I don't know about B.C. statutes, however, in Ontario the letter is just a form letter, nothing more.  It is all that can be done due to a complaint (other than a personal visit to your home by an officer).   These don't go anywhere except in the can. 

Also, if you passed the car ahead due to him throwing beer cans out his window, and you complained to police, the result would likely only be a similar letter or a visit by the police. 

It's a he said/(s)he said thing.   Police don't ticket this way.    Drive on. 

[dorin]

Ignore the letter - it's meaningless.  It also means that the other driver couldn't identify the driver so it's just a scare tactic to the vehicle's owner (as opposed to the actual driver).

As others said, in Ontario, yellow lines are advisory only regardless of whether they're dotted, solid, single, double, whatever.  It sounds like it's the same in BC.

So just toss the letter and ignore it.  It's not worth paying any further attention to.

[safristi]

That is BAD "FORM" though for an 'official" letter.................find some keener young Pro Bono Lawyer to challenge it ...hell after a few free MADD BEERS!!!! he will take it all the way to the SUPREMES..................STOP in the NAME OF LOVE yer drivin' me Daisy...