_ 32 — Friday, October 17, 1997 ~ North Shore News

IT’S funny how a cou-
ple of letters can bring
one right back to the
beginning; that being
the namesaice of this col-
umn. Signals.

= To signal or not to signal?
‘That's a good question. In the
realm of driving, even the best
intentions can have an il!
effect; sometimes a signal can
be a bad thing.

There are several streets on
the North Shore which, while
appropriately designed to aid
the safe and efficient flow of
traffic, also manage to wick
many drivers into misinform-
ing others. I’m talking about
roadways which sometimes
mushroom into multi-laned
roadways. You've all encoun-
tered it: You’re driving along
in a lane when suddenly the
road opens up and more lanes
appear, sometimes a left or
right turn pocker, sometimes
just another lane of travel.

A fine example of such
road swellage occurs west-

ewes -HOuNd along Marine Drive just

before Capilano Road and just
before Taylor Way in West
Vancouver, As often as not dri-
vers assume that they must sig-
nal a lane change when pick-
ing one of these new lanes.
They’re wrong.

Section 155 of the mighty
Motor Vehicle Act describes a
“laned roadway” (a Janz with a
broken line beside it) and tells
us that a driver who is driving
a vehicle:

“(a) shall not drive it (the
vehicle) from one lane to
another ... unless he has ascer-
tained that the miovement can
be made with safety ...”

and, more to the point,
“(c) shall not drive it (the
vehicle) from one lane to
another without first signalling

-his intention to do so ...”

Point in fact, the Act
specifically tells us to signal a
safe lane change over a dotted
line but definitely ornits what
is referred to as a “lane selec-
tion.” Drivers can “select” a
lane new lane that becomes
available to chem — when the
road swells and a new fane
appears —~ without slapping on
a si

Likewise, if we move into a
lane but do not cross a dotted
line, we’re not required to sig-
nal. (That said, please remem-
ber that moving a vehicle in
any direction must be done
with due consideration for all
others.)

Sounds odd, doesn’t it?
The mighty Act, chock full of
must-do-this/can’t-do-that
laws skips this “lane-select”
scenario altogether. You see,
signalling is a way of commu-
reeating one’s intentions —
that is, nor whar one is doing,
but what one is about to do.

If we were required to sig-

“Wancouver’s Best
Brake Service a

a. Fron vhert bearing seruice
« installing View metallic pads ©

+ Cofiplete* a
“¢ Topping upduid ©.

might also unintentionally sig-
nal a turn.

Back to the specifics: Phe
intersection of Marine Drive at
McGuire Avenue is one spot
in North Van which irked me
for a long time. It wasn’t unui
1 was trained in the nuances of
the Motor Vehicle Act that
proper procedure became

apparent.

You see, When T travel west

along Marine D:

a new Jane

appears on my left just before

MeGuire (anc
International

designed to 3

t before the
a) which is
ymodate

people who wish to turn lef
anto Capilano Road (where
the lane splits again for a left-
turn pocket) or who wish to
travel on into West Van rather
than go over the Lions Gare
Bridge. For a brief stretch,
there is no dotted line.

What I often: encounter is a
vehicle with an inappropriate
left turn signal flashing which I
incorrectly assume to mean
that the driver is going ro turn

onto McGuire and down past

See Signal page 34

ae
)
7

NEWS photo Terry Feters

TRAFFIC guru Shaun Conlin reminds that using your turn signals is a way of
communicating your intentions — ari {z.portant aspect when driving a car.

‘Tires? They all looked
the same to me. But at
GM Goodwrench
Service I noticed

a big diffexence.”

Nobody knows your GM car batter than

we do. After all, we designed and built it

in the first place. As one of the largest tire

merchandisers in the country, we carry a

complete selection of Uniroyal, Michelin and BF

Goodrich tires, and have the expertise fo install the tires

that best suit your car and driving needs. And during our Let it Snow
promotion, you have a chance to win your tire purchase. That's a tire
service you won't find anywhere else. That's Goodwrench Service.

:. PURCHASE 4 TIRES AND: RECEIVE FREE TIRE ROTATIONS AND BRAKE AND SHOCK INSPECTIONS EVERY 1 0,900 KM,

ASC ALL SEASON RADIAL

UNIROYAL +66

P185/75R-14 TIRE

P155/80R-13
P185/75R-14
P205/75R-15

P215/75R-15

$51.88

$66.88

$74.88
$77.88

Deoler may sell for less. Limited time offers.

PASSENGER TIRES — The Tiger Faw
ASC* provides o smooth, quiet ride
with “s” speed-rated performance and
durable road hugging grip. Covered by
60,000 km treadwear limited warranty
and 4-year road hazard protection.

Installation included, balancing extra.

LAREDO AWP P235/75R-15 XL

RAISED OUTLINED WHITE LETTER TIRE
TRUCK TIRES — The newest generation of all
season light truck radials, the Laredo AW?

UNIROYAL $T ] B88

P235/75R-15 XL $115.88

feature advanced computer generated tread

L1235/75R-15 $121.88

sculptures providing improved we) traction
ond excellent grip in all weather conditions.

11245/75R-16* $139.88

Installation included, Saluncing extra.
*Available Blackwall only.

El ovodereneh Serve |

DICK IRWIN CHEVROLET-OLDSMOBILE 987-5231 |
-REGENGY PONTIAC-BUICK- -CADILLAC-GMC- 985-6333 _

Tune-Ups

Complete

Econo Brake -
iSSi

Starting
macy &

ete for Nee 4 g&

| Ge

rity. for Oy ooo we years!

o Mufflers

aoe