Im a dumbass with no common sense.
Jan 8th 2017, 3:00 pm
#1
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2011
Location: Somewhere between Vancouver & St Johns
Posts: 19,847
Im a dumbass with no common sense.
Well not me in particular although some BE posters might agree 
A Winnipeg man was slapped with a nearly $240 ticket for driving with too much snow on the roof of his van.
McCullough said he had roughly seven to 10 centimetres of snow on the roof of his minivan — enough to earn him a ticket for operating a vehicle with an unsecured load worth $237.50.
Seriously did he go to the media with this story or did the media speak to him?
Either way I have to shake my head.
Driver slapped with nearly $240 ticket for driving with 'unsecured load' of snow on his van - Manitoba - CBC News
Too lazy to brush the snow off well thats one possibility.
Never driven behind a vehicle that has had snow on its roof which then blew off and obscured his vision while living in Winnipeg highly unlikely.
Claiming the law regarding snow on a vehicle roof is not specific enough ok lets give him so latitude.
Thinking that the snow would remain on the roof when driving naive perhaps.
Looking for sympathy as he thinks the ticket was unfair well none from me
Receiving a shed load of comments on social media after a friend posted about his ticket on Facebook a distinct possibility and Im guessing most not favourable to him.
Where is common sense when you need it?
A Winnipeg man was slapped with a nearly $240 ticket for driving with too much snow on the roof of his van.
McCullough said he had roughly seven to 10 centimetres of snow on the roof of his minivan — enough to earn him a ticket for operating a vehicle with an unsecured load worth $237.50.
Seriously did he go to the media with this story or did the media speak to him?
Either way I have to shake my head.
Driver slapped with nearly $240 ticket for driving with 'unsecured load' of snow on his van - Manitoba - CBC News
Too lazy to brush the snow off well thats one possibility.
Never driven behind a vehicle that has had snow on its roof which then blew off and obscured his vision while living in Winnipeg highly unlikely.
Claiming the law regarding snow on a vehicle roof is not specific enough ok lets give him so latitude.
Thinking that the snow would remain on the roof when driving naive perhaps.
Looking for sympathy as he thinks the ticket was unfair well none from me
Receiving a shed load of comments on social media after a friend posted about his ticket on Facebook a distinct possibility and Im guessing most not favourable to him.
Where is common sense when you need it?
Jan 8th 2017, 3:48 pm
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Formally Scotland. Now Bay of Quinte...Ontario
Posts: 2,466
Re: Im a dumbass with no common sense.
Well not me in particular although some BE posters might agree
A Winnipeg man was slapped with a nearly $240 ticket for driving with too much snow on the roof of his van.
McCullough said he had roughly seven to 10 centimetres of snow on the roof of his minivan — enough to earn him a ticket for operating a vehicle with an unsecured load worth $237.50.
Seriously did he go to the media with this story or did the media speak to him?
Either way I have to shake my head.
Driver slapped with nearly $240 ticket for driving with 'unsecured load' of snow on his van - Manitoba - CBC News
Too lazy to brush the snow off well thats one possibility.
Never driven behind a vehicle that has had snow on its roof which then blew off and obscured his vision while living in Winnipeg highly unlikely.
Claiming the law regarding snow on a vehicle roof is not specific enough ok lets give him so latitude.
Thinking that the snow would remain on the roof when driving naive perhaps.
Looking for sympathy as he thinks the ticket was unfair well none from me
Receiving a shed load of comments on social media after a friend posted about his ticket on Facebook a distinct possibility and Im guessing most not favourable to him.
Where is common sense when you need it?
A Winnipeg man was slapped with a nearly $240 ticket for driving with too much snow on the roof of his van.
McCullough said he had roughly seven to 10 centimetres of snow on the roof of his minivan — enough to earn him a ticket for operating a vehicle with an unsecured load worth $237.50.
Seriously did he go to the media with this story or did the media speak to him?
Either way I have to shake my head.
Driver slapped with nearly $240 ticket for driving with 'unsecured load' of snow on his van - Manitoba - CBC News
Too lazy to brush the snow off well thats one possibility.
Never driven behind a vehicle that has had snow on its roof which then blew off and obscured his vision while living in Winnipeg highly unlikely.
Claiming the law regarding snow on a vehicle roof is not specific enough ok lets give him so latitude.
Thinking that the snow would remain on the roof when driving naive perhaps.
Looking for sympathy as he thinks the ticket was unfair well none from me
Receiving a shed load of comments on social media after a friend posted about his ticket on Facebook a distinct possibility and Im guessing most not favourable to him.
Where is common sense when you need it?
Jan 8th 2017, 3:52 pm
#3
Tea Drinker
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
Posts: 5,387
Re: Im a dumbass with no common sense.
Better on the roof than the windscreen!
'Oblivious' B.C. driver hits the road with 'porthole-sized' clearing in windshield - British Columbia - CBC News
'Oblivious' B.C. driver hits the road with 'porthole-sized' clearing in windshield - British Columbia - CBC News
Jan 8th 2017, 4:14 pm
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2012
Location: Qc, Canada
Posts: 3,787
Re: Im a dumbass with no common sense.
No sympathy whatsoever here, having had a cracked/shattered windscreen when "snow" (plate-sized block of ice) flew off roof of car in front � ����.
We (car driver in front and I) were lucky there were no other vehicles around - Shock of impact plus sudden lack of visibility caused me to brake like a lunatic & swerve/steer almost into the ditch.
We (car driver in front and I) were lucky there were no other vehicles around - Shock of impact plus sudden lack of visibility caused me to brake like a lunatic & swerve/steer almost into the ditch.
Last edited by Shirtback; Jan 8th 2017 at 4:23 pm.
Jan 8th 2017, 4:16 pm
#5
Listen to the Music
Joined: Mar 2013
Location: Fraser Valley BC
Posts: 4,705
Re: Im a dumbass with no common sense.
The issue for me in this case is interpretation of a law not really suited to purpose.
If the van had 1m of snow on the roof then you can argue that the driver was lazy, inconsiderate and a possible danger to other road users. If the snow depth was 2cm then in my view there is no case to answer. The scary bit is that a police officer has imposed a fine based on his subjective judgement and we all know how this can be influenced by all sorts of things, bad stomache ache, row with the wife etc etc.
I assume that he has the option of not paying and opting for trial but that way lies the dark side.
Personally, I think that 10cm is marginal and should have been the subject of a stop, warning and immediate order to remove it. The imposition of a fine was too officious.
Which brings me to my pet hate. Where are all these officious police when you need them to get vehicles with defective headlights off the road?
If the van had 1m of snow on the roof then you can argue that the driver was lazy, inconsiderate and a possible danger to other road users. If the snow depth was 2cm then in my view there is no case to answer. The scary bit is that a police officer has imposed a fine based on his subjective judgement and we all know how this can be influenced by all sorts of things, bad stomache ache, row with the wife etc etc.
I assume that he has the option of not paying and opting for trial but that way lies the dark side.
Personally, I think that 10cm is marginal and should have been the subject of a stop, warning and immediate order to remove it. The imposition of a fine was too officious.
Which brings me to my pet hate. Where are all these officious police when you need them to get vehicles with defective headlights off the road?
Jan 8th 2017, 4:23 pm
#6
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2012
Location: Qc, Canada
Posts: 3,787
Re: Im a dumbass with no common sense.
The issue for me in this case is interpretation of a law not really suited to purpose.
If the van had 1m of snow on the roof then you can argue that the driver was lazy, inconsiderate and a possible danger to other road users. If the snow depth was 2cm then in my view there is no case to answer. The scary bit is that a police officer has imposed a fine based on his subjective judgement and we all know how this can be influenced by all sorts of things, bad stomache ache, row with the wife etc etc.
I assume that he has the option of not paying and opting for trial but that way lies the dark side.
Personally, I think that 10cm is marginal and should have been the subject of a stop, warning and immediate order to remove it. The imposition of a fine was too officious.
Which brings me to my pet hate. Where are all these officious police when you need them to get vehicles with defective headlights off the road?
If the van had 1m of snow on the roof then you can argue that the driver was lazy, inconsiderate and a possible danger to other road users. If the snow depth was 2cm then in my view there is no case to answer. The scary bit is that a police officer has imposed a fine based on his subjective judgement and we all know how this can be influenced by all sorts of things, bad stomache ache, row with the wife etc etc.
I assume that he has the option of not paying and opting for trial but that way lies the dark side.
Personally, I think that 10cm is marginal and should have been the subject of a stop, warning and immediate order to remove it. The imposition of a fine was too officious.
Which brings me to my pet hate. Where are all these officious police when you need them to get vehicles with defective headlights off the road?
Surely similar in other snowy provinces?
Jan 8th 2017, 5:04 pm
#7
Listen to the Music
Joined: Mar 2013
Location: Fraser Valley BC
Posts: 4,705
Re: Im a dumbass with no common sense.
I can't right now find the specific article of the law which applies here in Qc, but it's common knowledge, and common sense, that snow needs to be cleared off vehicle properly unless one wants to risk a fine, an accident or worse?.
Surely similar in other snowy provinces?
Surely similar in other snowy provinces?
Jan 8th 2017, 5:12 pm
#8
Dive Bar Drunk
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Toronto
Posts: 8,648
Re: Im a dumbass with no common sense.
The fine sounds a little excessive but at least the individual will not be lazy enough to endanger the lives of others again.
Jan 8th 2017, 5:15 pm
#9
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2011
Location: Somewhere between Vancouver & St Johns
Posts: 19,847
Re: Im a dumbass with no common sense.
The issue for me in this case is interpretation of a law not really suited to purpose.
If the van had 1m of snow on the roof then you can argue that the driver was lazy, inconsiderate and a possible danger to other road users. If the snow depth was 2cm then in my view there is no case to answer. The scary bit is that a police officer has imposed a fine based on his subjective judgement and we all know how this can be influenced by all sorts of things, bad stomache ache, row with the wife etc etc.
I assume that he has the option of not paying and opting for trial but that way lies the dark side.
Personally, I think that 10cm is marginal and should have been the subject of a stop, warning and immediate order to remove it. The imposition of a fine was too officious.
Which brings me to my pet hate. Where are all these officious police when you need them to get vehicles with defective headlights off the road?
If the van had 1m of snow on the roof then you can argue that the driver was lazy, inconsiderate and a possible danger to other road users. If the snow depth was 2cm then in my view there is no case to answer. The scary bit is that a police officer has imposed a fine based on his subjective judgement and we all know how this can be influenced by all sorts of things, bad stomache ache, row with the wife etc etc.
I assume that he has the option of not paying and opting for trial but that way lies the dark side.
Personally, I think that 10cm is marginal and should have been the subject of a stop, warning and immediate order to remove it. The imposition of a fine was too officious.
Which brings me to my pet hate. Where are all these officious police when you need them to get vehicles with defective headlights off the road?
Dangerous operation of motor vehicles, vessels and aircraft
249 (1) Every one commits an offence who operates
(a) a motor vehicle in a manner that is dangerous to the public, having regard to all the circumstances, including the nature, condition and use of the place at which the motor vehicle is being operated and the amount of traffic that at the time is or might reasonably be expected to be at that place;
Punishment
(2) Every one who commits an offence under subsection (1)
(a) is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years; or
(b) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.
Some laws are very specific some can be left open to interpretation.
This law is very specific
Towing of person after dark
(2) Every one who operates a vessel while towing a person on any water skis, surf-board, water sled or other object during the period from one hour after sunset to sunrise is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.
So this charge could never be laid at noon unless sunset was 11am.
He can fight the ticket and plead not guilty and have his day in court.
Jan 8th 2017, 5:48 pm
#10
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2013
Location: AB
Posts: 905
Re: Im a dumbass with no common sense.
Ok in uk I admit to have done this but you only do it once, then you learn from the experience.
Having cleared all the windows, I set off...no problem, when I suddenly stopped at some lights, the whole roof load came forward over the screen and the wipers couldn't deal with it, I spent 5 mins with me blocking the road clearing the snow from the screen with my cold hands....it happens you know and you learn.
Having cleared all the windows, I set off...no problem, when I suddenly stopped at some lights, the whole roof load came forward over the screen and the wipers couldn't deal with it, I spent 5 mins with me blocking the road clearing the snow from the screen with my cold hands....it happens you know and you learn.
Last edited by Yorkiechef; Jan 8th 2017 at 5:54 pm.
Jan 8th 2017, 6:41 pm
#11
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2012
Location: Qc, Canada
Posts: 3,787
Re: Im a dumbass with no common sense.
ETA: if this had happened in Qc, the driver could also have had a 1 to 3 point penalty, I think.
Last edited by Shirtback; Jan 8th 2017 at 6:57 pm.
Jan 8th 2017, 6:52 pm
#12
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: South of Calgary
Posts: 13,374
Re: Im a dumbass with no common sense.
The issue for me in this case is interpretation of a law not really suited to purpose.
If the van had 1m of snow on the roof then you can argue that the driver was lazy, inconsiderate and a possible danger to other road users. If the snow depth was 2cm then in my view there is no case to answer. The scary bit is that a police officer has imposed a fine based on his subjective judgement and we all know how this can be influenced by all sorts of things, bad stomache ache, row with the wife etc etc.
I assume that he has the option of not paying and opting for trial but that way lies the dark side.
Personally, I think that 10cm is marginal and should have been the subject of a stop, warning and immediate order to remove it. The imposition of a fine was too officious.
Which brings me to my pet hate. Where are all these officious police when you need them to get vehicles with defective headlights off the road?
If the van had 1m of snow on the roof then you can argue that the driver was lazy, inconsiderate and a possible danger to other road users. If the snow depth was 2cm then in my view there is no case to answer. The scary bit is that a police officer has imposed a fine based on his subjective judgement and we all know how this can be influenced by all sorts of things, bad stomache ache, row with the wife etc etc.
I assume that he has the option of not paying and opting for trial but that way lies the dark side.
Personally, I think that 10cm is marginal and should have been the subject of a stop, warning and immediate order to remove it. The imposition of a fine was too officious.
Which brings me to my pet hate. Where are all these officious police when you need them to get vehicles with defective headlights off the road?
Just like when English police play snooker. All the drivers are breaking the law, one is simply unfortunate if one has the colour of vehicle the cop requires for his next shot
Jan 8th 2017, 6:59 pm
#13
Stand-up Philosopher
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: Regina Saskatchewan
Posts: 16,344
Re: Im a dumbass with no common sense.
The guy with 4" of snow on the roof I would have given a warning, the gem in Surrey with the porthole is too stupid to drive a car.
Jan 8th 2017, 7:05 pm
#14
Listen to the Music
Joined: Mar 2013
Location: Fraser Valley BC
Posts: 4,705
Re: Im a dumbass with no common sense.
The supporting argument is this: Where in statute does it state something like 'It is illegal to drive a vehicle where an accumulation of x cm of snow is measurable on any upward facing surface of the vehicle'?
If no such offence has been clearly defined then it is clearly in the subjective judgement of an officer whether or not an offence is being commited.
If no such offence has been clearly defined then it is clearly in the subjective judgement of an officer whether or not an offence is being commited.
Jan 8th 2017, 8:27 pm
#15
limey party pooper
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 9,982
Re: Im a dumbass with no common sense.
The supporting argument is this: Where in statute does it state something like 'It is illegal to drive a vehicle where an accumulation of x cm of snow is measurable on any upward facing surface of the vehicle'?
If no such offence has been clearly defined then it is clearly in the subjective judgement of an officer whether or not an offence is being commited.
If no such offence has been clearly defined then it is clearly in the subjective judgement of an officer whether or not an offence is being commited.
