Auto Blog

BC’s New Car Dealers Continue to Forge Strong Relationships with Government

Last week, the new BC government Cabinet was officially sworn in, and each one of our elected officials should be congratulated for their respective appointments. All British Columbians, regardless of political persuasion, should thank Members for their commitment to public service.

Over the next four years, BC New Car Dealers look forward to working with government and Ministers on several important fronts, acquainting our association with newly assigned ministers and continuing to forge a strong relationship with those we have worked with over the years.

The Honourable Selina Robinson was sworn in as the Minister of Finance, the Honourable Ravi Kahlon as Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation, the Honourable George Heyman as Minister responsible for the Environment, the Honourable Bruce Ralston as Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, and the Honourable Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, now assumes responsibility for ICBC.

At the NCDA, we have been incredibly fortunate to have established a very positive and collaborative working relationship with key Ministers in BC. We have worked together to create programs that benefit the entire province, and our partnership has produced tangible results that have benefited the environment and the economy.

It is with thanks to the work of the Province that we are able to facilitate the widely successful CleanBC Go Electric Vehicle Rebate Program. The program offers as much as $3,000 in rebates when purchasing electric vehicles in BC. The incentives offered, making purchasing an EV much more affordable for consumers and has certainly increased buyers.

Through Budget 2020, the Province invested an additional $20 million in point-of-purchase rebates to make EVs even more affordable, helping British Columbians choose cleaner transport options. We have already surpassed the provincial target of 10% of new light-duty vehicle sales consisting of EV’s by 2025 – a whopping six years early – and I appreciate the work we’ve been able to do on this with the Province. With continued effort and focus, we will continue to work toward achieving other future targets.

We very much look forward to working with the Province to continue growing opportunities and training in a number of disciplines in order to meet future demand. The BC auto industry provides more than 30,000 family supporting jobs in the province and over the next decade, it is anticipated that thousands of openings will occur as the current workforce ages and moves closer to retirement.

Certainly, one area of focus is that of auto technicians who are required to meet the increasing sales of more and more technologically advanced vehicles, including electric ones. A wide range of skillsets will be required to meet the evolving needs of the sector, while also establishing our industry’s future leaders.

I began this column by recognizing BC’s newly minted cabinet and their commitment to public service and I think it’s only fitting that I conclude by expressing our sincere thanks and gratitude to former Finance Minister Carole James for her many years of public service, and the thoughtful and respectful manner in which she has always conducted herself. In a new role as special advisor to the Premier, I know Ms. James will continue to make a valuable contribution to the province.

And, as always, stay safe, calm, and be kind to one another.

Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. You can email him at [email protected]

With the holiday season fast approaching, you may be pondering what to get that special auto enthusiast. The good news is, there are many gift options available to suit any budget and personality. And even though the holiday season may look a little different this year, these still make good gifts for the auto lover in your life.

Let’s start with items for those who have specific interests. If that special someone is a music lover, perhaps a new sound system is the way to go? Those who are more active might appreciate a bike or ski rack for the car, or even a carrier top and roof racks for other recreational gear. There are several interesting gift ideas that could help dress up a vehicle, ranging from custom fitted seat covers to custom floor mats. Likewise, drivers who like vehicle or sports paraphernalia might enjoy a license plate frame, a dashboard ornament, or a key chain featuring one of their favourite retail brand or sports team. Or even a diecast toy car to match their ride.

On the practical side, you can’t go wrong with a car care kit, which can typically be found at your local automotive retail outlet – or you can put together a gift basket yourself. Packages can contain car wash fluid, glass cleaner, wax, polish, sealant, detailer spray, interior cleaner, tire shine and everything in between.

For car lovers who like to baby their vehicles, many dealerships offer auto “spa packages” for interior and exterior detailing services. All car lovers look forward to cruising in a shiny car in the Spring months, so check the websites of your local dealerships for special promotions or gift cards.

Gift cards can pay for a maintenance or detailing appointment at the person’s favourite new car dealer or some sessions at the neighbourhood car wash. They’re also a smart gift for those who are tricky to please, as the person can pick out their own vehicle accessories or add-ons at their favourite auto parts store or website.

Another practical option is a dash cam which can provide peace of mind if you’re in an accident. An emergency kit is always a good option. These include everything from jumper cables and a flashlight, to flares, candles, matches and blanket – should a driver be unlucky enough to get stranded in their vehicle. You hope they will never need to use them, but these items could come in handy someday.

And remember – this has been a challenging year for so many and small businesses are truly suffering. When shopping this holiday season, please remember to shop local and shop early when you can. One final note, as we head into the holiday season, please be safe and celebrate responsibly, keeping in mind the latest public health orders in place.

Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. You can email him at [email protected]

With the 2020 provincial election wrapped up, I wanted to take a moment to congratulate all of the candidates recently elected to serve. Congratulations to Premier-elect John Horgan and his colleagues on securing a majority government. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Honourable Carole James for her many years of service to British Columbia, most recently as Finance Minister. She has always been open to listening to our sector and provided a very steady hand on the financial wheel over the past four years. I am grateful for her work and support.

The Legislative Assembly has a substantial contingent of new MLAs with local government experience. The next Legislature will include 33 MLAs that have served as a Mayor, Councillor, Area Director or Islands Trustee representing 38% of the 87 electoral districts in B.C. – one of the highest percentages in recent elections.

The New Car Dealers of BC and local government work closely together on a number of issues that affect the local economy and the more than 30,000 people employed directly or indirectly by our members. I am proud of the partnership we have formed and look forward to working with those newly elected over the next four years.

The New Car Dealers are an important piece of the BC economy as we represent over 390 small businesses in 55 communities across the province. Our members generate about $16 billion in economic activity and account for 19% of total retail sales in the province. Our sector is also one that has seen a relatively quick bounce back since the devastating impact from COVID-19 earlier this year. BC’s New Car Dealers will play an important role in the COVID-19 recovery process. Dealers are a key driver in local and provincial economies, and it’s important we continue to work together to create positive economic growth in our province.

The partnership between BC’s New Car Dealers and government has been a productive one by making EVs more affordable through the CleanBC Go Electric Program; making policy and investment decisions that support a broader fast-charging network, and; ongoing education and public awareness for consumers and car dealers to ensure there is an understanding of the latest EV offerings and EV-related developments. The rebate program allows for EV’s to be more accessible, as we inch further to goals for even more EV’s on roads the province.

Another issue that we continue to work on with government is the issue of what constitutes a luxury vehicle. The luxury vehicle tax impacts many working men and women – particularly in rural and resource-dependent communities across the province. A pickup truck is a part of how many maintain their livelihood, yet a luxury tax is placed on all vehicles at the $55,000 and higher price-point. When the figure was established a number of years ago, it likely reflected the cost of what most would consider a high-end vehicle. But with new technology and inflation, all vehicle prices have risen. Seems strange to me you have to pay luxury tax on a $65,000 pick up truck but not on an $80,000 watch!

We also look forward to working with the new government on new issues that arise – most recently the proposed mobility tax in the City of Vancouver. While we recognize the need to address climate change – and have done so with a decade long support of the CleanBC Go Electric Program – the mobility tax is not reasonable for a city as expensive as Vancouver. In an ideal world we could all walk and cycle to work, but while those options are available to many around Greater Vancouver, others rely on their vehicles to get to and from their jobs. During COVID-19, people are driving more because they value their own personal space, and this shouldn’t come at a higher price.

Clearly, these issues require ongoing dialogue and collaboration with government. It’s a partnership that has proven productive and of benefit to members and consumers alike, and it’s one we will continue to support and contribute to. I look forward to working with the newly elected MLAs on continuing to strengthen our relationship and provide important input from our members. The NCDA is committed to working with the new government to help enable a strong economy, of which dealers are a powerful, driving force.

Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. You can email him at [email protected]

It should come as no surprise to anyone that 2020 has been a remarkably challenging year for the automotive industry, just as it has been for so many sectors. Not only were new car sales significantly hit hard after COVID-19 arrived in BC, but one of the resulting effects of the pandemic was the postponement of our beloved Vancouver International Auto Show to ensure the health and safety of our community.

From there, we saw sales numbers take a sharp decline in BC. In Q2, total new light vehicle sales declined by 45% compared to 2019. But as we concluded Q3, things began to take a more positive turn, with light vehicle sales down just 3.9% compared to the same period a year previous – an outstanding improvement from what we were seeing earlier in the year.

As you know, I am proud of the work we have done in BC over the past decade to increase EV sales. At the end of last year, 10% of all light vehicle sales in BC were zero-emission vehicles – which brought the total number of EV’s on BC’s roads to more than 39,000. As of the end of 2019, BC also hit a huge landmark having the highest per capita EV sales in North America.

I believe much of this increase can be attributed to the CleanBC Program, which provides a point of sale purchase rebate of up to $3,000 from the Provincial Government and is administered by the New Car Dealers Association of BC. The CleanBC rebate applications almost doubled in 2019, surpassing 2018’s record number of applications.

So, do we need to be concerned about how the pandemic will affect our efforts on the EV front? If we look at how the pandemic is affecting EV demand globally, I don’t think we need to be overly worried about long term impact on the EV sector.

According to a study by McKinsey & Company, an global auto slowdown won’t hurt overall EV demand. For many countries, consumer demand for EVs has remained much more stable than demand for other vehicles during the crisis. While the overall number of sales has declined in China and Europe, the market share for EVs has risen.

In contrast, the United States has seen consumer demand drop. Globally, EV manufacturers that offer online sales have seen particularly high demand, as the lockdowns have inhibited in dealership shopping. And though in BC dealerships have remained open, businesses have adapted in these times.

But we cannot take this information at face value. There are many factors beyond the pandemic that can be attributed to the United States experiencing a difference in demand. For example, as of June 2020 the United States offered no incentives to purchasing EV’s, while China offers a $2,000 incentive and many countries in Europe offer an incentive of $10,100. I am much more inclined to believe that BC would follow a model alongside China and Europe because of our similar incentive programs.

Another factor to consider is charging stations. As we know too well, one of the main considerations for consumers purchasing EV’s is related to range-anxiety or concern that they will run out of battery. By ensuring there are ample charging stations, we are able to wade off consumer concerns and make the EV model more accessible. In 2019 China installed 250 new public charging stations, Europe installed 45, and the United States added 26. In BC alone, 26 new Level 3 fast chargers were added in 2019.

While this is not a perfect model to predict the trajectory of EV sales in BC in the future, it is one that gives me immense hope. As sales continue to climb, it is important to remember the benefits of purchasing EV’s.

Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. You can email him at [email protected]

As we begin to enter the holiday season, many automobile owners will increasingly find themselves frequenting parking lots as they canvas local retailers for that perfect gift for a loved one.

However, this is also a time of year when the potential thief has eyes on motorists who leave parcels and packages in plain sight, turning themselves into easy targets.

The Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team (IMPACT), the Province of British Columbia, and ICBC, encourages drivers to protect themselves with the slogan, “Check Your Doors Before They Do”. It’s something that’s important to do always, but especially as we approach the holiday season.

According to ICBC, there was a 7.6 percent increase in auto theft across British Columbia in 2019.

Theft of items is a mostly preventable crime and there are some steps you can take to stop thieves from breaking into your car. Though some may be obvious, it is worth keeping in mind. Here are some of ICBC’s top tips to prevent auto break-ins:

• Keep valuables, gifts and parcels out of sight in the trunk and don’t leave them in the vehicle for long periods of time. Even items such as loose change and pop cans can tempt thieves.
• While shopping, try not to unload gifts in your vehicle and then leave it unattended in the same parking spot.
• Park in well-lit areas and use parking lots frequented by others.
• Always lock your doors and close your windows, even if you’re away from your vehicle for just a minute. Remove any garage door openers from your vehicle.
• Keep your keys secure at all times. Don’t leave your keys unguarded — even at a restaurant or the gym. Treat your keys like cash.

While criminals often target vehicles for smartphones, personal electronics, sunglasses, and cash, they are especially targeting vehicles that leave any holiday items in sight. They also may be looking for items such as garage door openers and any personal items or documents that may make you a target for theft further down the road.

The best way to combat these threats is to always make sure to remove any valuables or personal items in your vehicle and never leave anything in plain sight that may make your vehicle an easy target. In situations where you may be forced to park your vehicle in a less than ideal location, take the garage remote with you and make a copy of your vehicle registration and black out your home address in the copy you keep in your glove compartment. Keep the original with your address in a safe place at home. Google Maps also has a handy ‘remember my parking location’ feature.

ICBC recommends the 9 pm routine, which encourages vehicle owners to check on their vehicle each night at 9 pm to ensure it is safe and secure and all measures have been made to avoid being an auto crime victim.

To prevent heartbreak this holiday season – and in the future – it’s important to be diligent and remember these easy steps, so you aren’t an easy target.

Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. You can email him at [email protected]

On Tuesday, Vancouver City Council Members will consider a report prepared by City staff on a proposed climate action plan with a price tag of $500 million. The report suggests that mobility pricing – in other words, the establishment of a toll on vehicles making their way to the downtown core, would be the primary source of funding.

City staff suggest mobility pricing is a “game changer” and could rake in tens of millions of dollars each year. However, what it more accurately reflects is a City staff that is clearly out of touch with the transportation realities of today and the significant financial challenges that many Lower Mainland families are facing.

While City staff will suggest Vancouver has a high proportion of people who walk, roll and cycle – what they fail to recognize is that many people who work in the downtown core each day, commute from the suburbs – from areas where transit simply isn’t available or isn’t an option.

In an ideal world, walking and cycling would be modes of transportation that we could all rely on, but that’s not reality. Many people require vehicles to support their livelihood and put food on the table for their families, just as families also require vehicles to move their children to daycare, school or any number of activities.

In an ideal world, transit would serve all areas of the region and provide an opportunity for people to leave their cars at home, but that’s not the reality either, at least not at this point.

We live in the most beautiful region in the world, but it’s also one of the most expensive and where affordability is a significant issue for many working people. And at a time when working families and businesses have been so dramatically impacted by COVID-19, adding another tax to the layer upon layer they already face would be a tough proposition for those who are already struggling to make ends meet.

We all recognize the need to address climate change. It’s a serious issue and requires serious debate – but discussion and decision-making needs to be centred in reality.

New Car Dealers fully appreciate and support efforts to reduce carbon emissions. In fact, British Columbia’s leadership role in transitioning consumers to electric vehicle (EV) sales is the result of a positive partnership with the province. It’s a partnership that has led to increasing adoption of EVs among consumers, while helping to create expanded access to key infrastructure, such as fast charging stations.

I reference the province’s leadership role because it is largely based on thoughtful decision-making and the realities facing British Columbians, and that is what we hope to see from City Council  – reasoned, logical and thoughtful discussion and an ultimate decision that is based in reality.

Blair Qualey
President and CEO
New Car Dealers Association of BC

The OPED appeared in The Province on Nov 3 here.

With winter arriving in the form of darker hours and adverse conditions across British Columbia, it’s a good time to take a moment and remember that, despite the fact that as Canadians we should be used to harsh driving conditions, this is the time of year when more accidents happen. This is due in large part to a combination of wet or snowy conditions and driver error.

Police departments and insurance organizations such as ICBC are quick to remind drivers across BC that discourteous driving is leading to more and more cases of road rage, and at a time of year when accidents naturally spike due to driving conditions, and the ongoing stress related to the COVID-19 Pandemic, it’s important to remind ourselves that getting angry on the road endangers both yourself and other drivers around you.

Feelings of frustration can lead to aggressive driving behaviours like speeding, tailgating, or cutting off other cars. At the extreme end of the spectrum, anger can escalate to road rage, with acts of violence in response to other people’s driving.

As we move into the season that has the worst driving conditions of the year, it is important to be a courteous driver yourself, and not to fly off the handle. Aggressive driving is a serious issue and much more common than you might think.

Repeated anger episodes can actually stress out your mind and body too. Getting mad triggers your brain to release adrenaline and cortisol. These stress hormones increase your heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure.

Remember, everyone is human and makes mistakes, including yourself and the driver that’s been tailgating you. If you’re cut off by a car, maybe the driver is running late, has their mind on something else, or honestly just didn’t see you. It doesn’t make it right, but retaliating isn’t ok either. It’s not worth an accident!

When you do get stressed on the road, it may be a good idea to pull over, take a deep breath or two and pause for a moment to collect yourself.

During BC’s rainy and snowy season, drivers need to stay especially focused, leave enough space for your vehicle (recommended 3 seconds following distance or more) and be aware of your surroundings. Use your lights and turning signals correctly to make yourself as visible as possible. Please stay off your phone unless hands free. It’s the law!

Most of all, avoid aggressive drivers. If someone yells or gestures at you, ignore them. If there is an aggressive driving incident, stay a safe distance away and report the driver immediately to police.

With thousands of cars on the road and poor seasonal conditions, driving is sometimes going to be stressful; however, don’t let a stressful commute affect the health and safety of yourself or those around you. Together, we can help reduce accident statistics.

And as we’ve heard from our Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Henry, let’s remember to be kind, be calm and be safe, even when it comes to our driving!

Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. You can email him at [email protected].

 

The year 2020 has been one that no one could have anticipated and continues to be a challenge for many industries. The auto industry certainly does not come out of this scratch free. As some parts of Canada went into lockdown, many industries saw massive declines in business, including a steep decline in new car sales – though we were still better off than many other industries.

Over the past few months, we have continued to see an incline in the economy, from the steep initial decline, which the Bank of Canada has termed a “v-shaped recovery”, though we are not yet operating at 100%. We are still slightly down in sales from where we were last year, but there continues to be a silver lining – something that we all need to cling to during these challenging times we’re all facing.

According to a recent study by Desrosiers Automotive Consultants, a total of 500,737 units were sold in Q3 in Canada – marking a 3.9% dip from the same quarter last year. What would once have been alarming, this seems fairly positive given the steep decline we saw in Q2. This is the first sign of recovery we have seen since the pandemic hit, so we really have something to be thankful for.

Light truck sales did incredibly well this quarter, seeing an overall 1.8% increase. A result that is unsurprising, but a good coup for the sector. Among light duty trucks, the Ford F-Series once again proved that it is a fan favourite with a 14.9% increase since last year and the continued sales leader in the category. The Toyota RAV4 also saw a sales increase of 19.8%, which helped the model to secure third place. The stand-out performer in this category was the Hyundai Kona, seeing an increase of 56.3%, giving it the seventh spot in this quarter.

As I mentioned, the growth of this quarter was not evenly distributed across all categories. Passenger vehicles were not able to keep up with light trucks, but there were still a few clear winners in the category. The Kia Forte, for example, claimed an 8.6% sales increase in the third quarter, placing it in fourth position for the quarter. And with an impressive increase of 39.2%, comes the Toyota Camry, which claimed sixth position overall. Finally, the Nissan Sentra grew 44.4% and helped the model make a rare appearance in the top ten selling passenger cars.

While these sales are not perfect and certainly not where I would have wanted to see them a year ago, a lot has changed this year and so must our perspective. With such a large dip in sales because of the restrictions of COVID-19 and impact on buying patterns earlier this year, we are finally on the road to recovery. I hope to see this continue through the year and I’m optimistic about the future of our industry.

As we head into the winter months, I also wanted to remind you to make sure to get your winter tires on. Yes, a fine is no fun, but an accident and injuries from not having winter tires would be much worse! Stay safe, calm, and most of all, be kind.

Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. You can email him at [email protected]

October marks Cyber Security month – a time when it is important to raise awareness about potential issues related to computers and security. The risks pertain to industries across the board, though perhaps the auto-industry is not one that quickly comes to mind. With the introduction of Autonomous Vehicles (AV), the issue of cybersecurity in the auto industry is a very real one.

At the New Car Dealers Association of BC (NCDA), we are big believers in the wonders of technology and how they can help enhance user experience. From EV’s to more fuel-efficient vehicles, the technologies we’ve seen over the last few years have been absolutely remarkable. And with that, we’re excited to see where the world of AV’s takes us. But the introduction of AV’s is not without the inherent risks that could potentially come from the technologies.

In 2019, the AV industry experienced a significant shift in the technologies and regulations, which made it increasingly more possible for Canadians and businesses to own and operate Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAV’s). AV’s and CAV’s have the very real potential of creating cybersecurity risks that we have never seen before. But the risks are not inherent to just these types of vehicles – all newer vehicles use computers and technology to enhance user experience.

In March 2020, Transport Canada published Canada’s Vehicle Cyber Security Guidance – it provides guiding principles to help ensure vehicles are cyber-safe for Canadians. Building on existing cyber security best practices, the Cyber Guidance uses a risk-based approach to help automotive industry stakeholders mitigate and manage vehicle cybersecurity risks. The guide focuses on four major principles it encourages organizations to consider.

1. Identify how to manage cyber security risks. The guide recommends that organizations develop formal governance frameworks that clearly identify roles and responsibilities related to managing cybersecurity risks. This will ensure a process is formally in place, should any issues related to cybersecurity come up.

A risk-based approach also requires organizations to adopt a documented risk management strategy to address risks to ensure safety of critical systems and personal information. Organizations should implement risk-based security controls in the chance there is a cybersecurity attack.

CAV’s pose another interesting risk – they have an increasingly non-traditional supply chain. This means ensuring that there is a security procedure in place across the entire chain. The guide suggests that all organizations work together to enhance vehicle security and engage in cyber security sharing forums – to ensure a direct line of contact.

2. Protect the vehicle ecosystem with appropriate safeguards. The guideline suggests a layered approach when it comes to cybersecurity. This includes having security controls, data security using cryptographic techniques, secure communications, secure software development, and secure updates. With a multi-layered approach, organizations can ensure that they are being as cautious as possible to protect consumers.

The guide acknowledges a concern in the area of privacy protection. The current laws will make it challenging to apply them to CAV’s, as there are a number of stakeholders that will have varying degree of responsibilities complying to Canadian privacy laws. There will be unprecedented amounts of data on passenger movements and mobilities, which raises concerns about data over-collection.

A main takeaway from this section is the emphasis on training the workforce. An effective cyber security defense requires a knowledgeable workforce to properly carry out the systems in place.

3. Detect, monitor, and respond to cybersecurity events. One of the most important ways in which to handle cybersecurity is early detection of threats. Organizations need to have measures in place to rapidly detect, monitor, and analyze potential threats and vulnerabilities. The guide also suggests that regular security audits take place to ensure all cybersecurity measures within the ecosystem are effectively working. It’s really all about prevention.

Organizations should maintain an incident management plan to conduct regular exercises to prepare for and respond to cybersecurity threats. It needs to be clear and define the steps, roles, and processes to respond to any potential threats.

4. Recover from cybersecurity events safely and quickly. Should the worst-case scenario occur, and a cybersecurity event take place, this Guidance recommends a number of steps organizations should take. This includes a post-incident analysis and system diagnostics to figure out where the vulnerabilities lie, and the lessons learned.

The Guidance recognizes that eliminating all threats when it comes to the risks with CAV’s is not feasible or realistic – there are simply too many risks in place. Instead the focus becomes on learning through periodic reviews and audits of security systems.

Though the thought of AV’s and CAV’s is exciting, it is clear that it is not without some very real concerns to cybersecurity. But we are likely about a decade away from sales to the public – so I hope to see leaps and bounds in the cyber safety of these incredible vehicles.

Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. You can email him at [email protected]

The school year has officially begun, albeit in a much different way than ever before.

It’s especially important that drivers pay attention, especially in and around school zones where the volume of cars and traffic will be high during certain periods of the day. Don’t allow frustrations to get the better of you. Know that back to school can mean additional cars, slower traffic flow with school buses and children on roads and sidewalks – so accept it and build extra time into your schedule to get to your destination.

As a rule of thumb, reduce your speed in residential areas. For those who need a refresher, the speed limit in school zones is 30 kilometres an hour, between the hours of 8 in the morning to 5 in the evening.

Never overtake another vehicle while in a school zone, avoid any three-point turns or U-turns, and obey crossing guards. Some school zones also have flashers – so be prepared to stop and don’t block the crosswalk when making a right turn.

Give a greater amount of distance when you’re behind a school bus so that if the yellow lights start flashing, you’ll have more time to stop. Come to a complete stop when you see a bus displaying flashing red lights or extending its stop arm. Children are often not paying attention when disembarking, so be extra cautious.

If you’re a parent who drops your child off at school, there are several important safety tips to keep in mind. Finding an unloading area can be tough in a crowded school zone, but remember to never double-park. Double-parking blocks visibility for not only other vehicles, but for pedestrians as well.

Keep children out of harm’s way by loading and unloading them from the passenger seat’s side. Don’t encourage mid-block crossing if you have to unload from across the street.

Parents, whether your child rides on the school bus, takes a bike to school, walks to school, or gets dropped off, it’s never too early to teach them how to stay safe on the road. Take the time to go through safety rules with children and teens who travel to school by themselves before sending them off to school this fall – and driving safety aside, also remind them not to accept rides from strangers.

Drivers, take extra care and caution and if you have a teen who has recently acquired a drivers’ license, take the time to sit down and reinforce some safe driving tips.

This is an exciting time for little ones, so let’s all be extra cautious to ensure their return to the classroom is a memorable one – for all the right reasons. And remember to be kind, be calm and stay safe!

Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. You can email him at [email protected].