Chapter 7: Personal strategies

(Learn to Drive Smart, March 2026 edition)

This chapter covers what can throw a driver off from the inside: body, mood, alcohol and drugs, and the people around you.

Fitness to drive. About 80 per cent of driving information reaches you through your eyes, by the experts' estimate, so wear your glasses or contacts, and keep the music low enough to hear sirens and horns. A cold can dull your alertness, and an over-the-counter medicine can leave you drowsy; if the label warns of drowsiness or dizziness, let someone else drive. Tiredness ranks among the top causes of crashes. Set out rested, stop for breaks, and on a long trip, take extra care on the second day.

Phones. No BC driver may use a hand-held device behind the wheel, and that includes waiting at a red light. Learner and novice drivers (Class 7L and 7) may not use hands-free devices either, apart from dialling 9-1-1 in an emergency.

Emotions. Strong anger, worry or sadness make you miss what is happening around you. Leave early, take a calmer route, and if you cannot settle down, stay out of the driver's seat.

Alcohol and drugs. Alcohol harms your seeing, thinking and doing. Coffee, food or a cold shower will not sober you up; only time lowers your blood alcohol content. Medicines, recreational or street drugs and cannabis can impair you too, and a little alcohol on top of many drugs makes the effect much stronger. Decide how you will get home before you start drinking, and refuse to ride with a driver who may be impaired.

The people around you. The manual offers four steps against negative peer pressure: name the problem, weigh the consequences, find another option, then follow through. When another driver turns aggressive, give them space and do not answer back; if you feel threatened, head for a police station or a busy place, not your home.