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Funny stories about drunks from designated drivers
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - The holidays are a time to catch up with old friends, spend quality time with family and have a few rum and eggnogs to celebrate. Maybe it’s the cooler weather, the spirit or all the booze we get for gifts – but undoubtedly some of us will get more carried away than others....
Stay vigilant in dark, wet weather
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - B.C. drivers and pedestrians are reminded to remain vigilant during the wet, dark weather as statistics show an average of 269 pedestrians are injured and seven pedestrians are killed every year in December. 75 per cent of crashes involving pedestrians happen at intersections. Drivers are reminded to keep eyes on the road and...
It’s all about safety on Halloween
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - The first thing that comes to mind on Halloween is safety, at least for parents. Kids are only thinking about the candy and costumes, but there are ways to help keep them safe on Halloween night, even if it’s the last thing on their minds. Always make sure young children are accompanied by...
One cause of pedestrian-vehicle incidents in Kamloops
KAMLOOPS – It’s a fairly simple driving tip – watch out for pedestrians. Yet ICBC and the Kamloops RCMP were at the transit exchange Tuesday morning to hand out safety reflectors, board transit buses and tell pedestrians to look, listen and be seen by motorists. Cpl. Cheryl Bush, spokesperson for the Kamloops RCMP, said pedestrian...
HELSTON: A test for distracted driving
My thumbs play hopscotch on the keyboard, darting from letter to space bar, and as they root around for the exclamation point, I fail to notice a dog bounding onto the road. My focus rears up from the text message but it’s too late. Good thing it’s just an obstacle course and the golden retriever...
Mayor and council discuss job retention and insurance
PENTICTON - Mayor and council have been busy this week at the 2014 Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Whistler, discussing issues from insurance claims to job recruitment and retention with provincial ministers. A resolution to restore full ICBC claim coverage was passed by the UBCM membership Wednesday. Municipalities want ICBC to reimburse cities in...
UPDATE: Pedestrian struck downtown
KAMLOOPS - At approximately 7:40 a.m. Monday a 24-year-old male pedestrian in a marked crosswalk was struck by a female driver on 12 Avenue and Battle Street. Cpl. Cheryl Bush, spokesperson for the Kamloops RCMP, said the pedestrian was taken to hospital for non-life threatening injuries. The 29-year-old female driver remained at the scene. Neither...
ICBC to mail letters and refunds to users following database error
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – ICBC is ready to pay-up after over-charging some car insurance users over the past six years based on incorrect vehicle descriptions. The investigation has concluded after two external reviews. They checked 24 million individual optional insurance transactions and now the company will mail 441,000 letters and applicable refunds to its customers. The average refund...
Drowsy drivers do have options
THOMPSON - OKANAGAN - July and August are peak months for driver fatigue-related incidents. While you may be bumper to bumper with everyone else rushing for the best beach spot, it’s important to recognize the signs of tired driving. “Living in Kamloops, I know how hot B.C. summers can get,” says B.C. Minister of Transportation...
Keep your Canada Day long weekend safe
KAMLOOPS – We could all use a refresher on staying alive before we rush out to set up a tent or crack a cold one for the Canada Day festivities. Campers are advised to take note of any change in campfire bans during fire season. Small, contained campfires up to 0.5 metres in diameter are...
Looks like it’s going to be a big year for excessive speeding
VERNON - Police have nabbed almost as many excessive speeders in the past six months as they did in all of last year. RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says 22 drivers have been caught speeding excessively in the North Okanagan so far this year, compared to a total of 25 in 2013. “B.C.'s speeding law compels...
Road safety highlighted during Bike to Work Week
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - This week is Bike to Work Week, a celebration that kicks off a season of more cyclists on the roads, and both cyclists and motorists are being reminded to do their part to help keep everyone safe. ICBC notes an average of nearly 1,000 cyclists are injured during the warmer months of May...
Make May long-weekend a safe one
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – Government agencies are advising May long-weekend travelers to remain safe and informed when planning vacation trips. ICBC reports, on average, a total of 1700 crashes occur on the long-weekend. Drivers are advised to plan trips ahead and avoid rushing to a destination. Police will target high-risk behaviours such as speeding, failing to yield,...
Nominations open for worst roads in B.C.
KAMLOOPS — The voting has begun and while a Kamloops road has not yet cracked the BCAA top-10 list of worst roads there is still time to nominate one, whether it be because of potholes, poor layout or you think it’s just down right dangerous. Westside Road, which runs along the west side of Okanagan...
Worst Roads survey gets in gear
THOMPSON OKANAGAN - If you’ve got a gripe with a road near you, it’s time to pipe up. Until May 26, B.C. motorists, cyclists and pedestrians can cast a vote for their 'Worst Road' nominee. Voters can pinpoint the stretch of road they feel is the worst in B.C. and specify what infrastructure issue they're...