After many years of government research and lobbying by consumer advocates, British Columbia recently adjusted several of its highway speed limits. To that I say ‘hoorah’.
But, I recently spent a month driving in Germany, Austria and Italy. Before I left people said: ‘Ooo, you get to drive as fast as you want’. And you know what? I was never so scared to be on the road as when I got back to BC.
So why am I still scared to drive on our roads? It has little to do with the limit. It has to do with rules.
Over there I knew that everyone would behave: trucks, caravans (motor homes), vehicles with trailers in the right lane. Unless a sign indicated permission to pass. Passenger cars in the left or centre/left lanes - and pay attention to the mirrors. Never did I fear that a truck or slower vehicle would move into the left lane. Nor would anyone hog the left lane.
Canada and the USA really only have one rule: obey the speed limit - or else. Otherwise it’s kind of like Aussie Rules Football. Anything goes so long as your chasing the ball.
