Category: Road Sage

Disturbing though it was, I have to admit that a rush of reluctant admiration swept through me while watching the video. There are many who can sympathize with his anti-gas-pump stance.

Gas pumps are bossy, demanding monsters. In the struggle between man and machine, they are the undefeated champions.

Who hasn’t wanted to take a swing at one?

When they were unleashed on the province in early February, a spokesman for the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services declared the new plates were “stronger, brighter and longer lasting than the current Ontario licence plate.”

Shortly thereafter, however, Kingston Police Sgt. Steve Koopman tweeted a photograph of a vehicle parked with a barely discernible license plate.

Everyone should know that the best way to navigate an intersection when the lights are out is to treat it like a four-way stop. The law, at least in Ontario, says that drivers are to treat lights out as an “uncontrolled intersection.” Yield to the vehicles that are already there. Yield to the vehicle on the right if you both arrive at the same time. You don’t have to stop but you should. It’s easier and safer.

It’s a busy time of year. People are out taking care of errands. Some are preparing for the holidays. On this particular day, there were no open parking spaces. Desperate drivers roamed the lot hoping to find one. Instead, however, they were treated to…

If you’re looking for traits to bind us – from British Columbia to Newfoundland – look no further than our capacity to complain about the weather during every one of our four seasons and our collective astonishment each November when temperatures plummet and snow falls

Why is parallel parking part of every province’s driver’s test? Is it nostalgia? Is it a throwback to our time as a colony? That is, after all, why parallel parking was put in the test in the first place. Canadian driver’s exams were originally…

Judging by how drivers treat crosswalks, it not hard to see why the trend is continuing. Recently, an 11-year-old student in Edmonton filmed traffic at the crosswalk she has to use to get to school. The video shows a stream of trucks and SUVs gliding through, oblivious to the children trying to cross. We’ve all seen drivers ignore the flashing lights, or pause for a moment and then plow through when the pedestrian has cleared their bumper (even though the law dictates they must stop until the pedestrian has reach the opposite curb).

Finally finding myself in a position to be selective, I was determined to explore all my options. I was leaving behind a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan (the anti-Porsche), which had given me stalwart service. I routinely insulted my car but, truth be told, I couldn’t have asked for a better vehicle to transport kids, luggage and dog. It bears many dents and scars. The Grand Caravan has looked better, but it has “character” – much like me.

Most travel guides will tell you that mid-to-late August is not an ideal time to visit Italy (there’s no such thing as “not a good time to visit Italy”). The majority of Italians are on vacation, and it is extremely hot. For passionate drivers, however, this period offers exhilarating driving. The roads – which are normally congested – are empty. On the highways, you can open it up. On the idyllic side roads, you can enjoy a casual yet intriguing driving experience.

I must admit the fundamental reason I’m not a fan of personalized plates is that they smack of self-satisfied bragging. It’s about calling attention and, in some cases, being shocking. Each year, many personalized licence plates are refused. Last year in Nova Scotia, for instance, Global News reported that the following plates were among 107 disallowed: WARPIG, SWATT, SMRTASS, SHOTGUN, EVILONE, DAWIFE and BLAZIN.