I live up here and have been driving an '80 and '91 Vanagon for over 11
years and never been pulled over. Even driving my '67 Westfalia ( the true
stereotype), never have been pulled over.

Sorry to hear about your bad experience!

Scott

----- Original Message -----
From: "Russell, William" <william.russell@UW-INC.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, May 14, 2002 4:24 PM
Subject: Driving In Canada

> I cannot recall who it was but recently someone asked for any tips about
> driving in Canada this summer and after having just completed my 4500km
> trip from Vancouver to Hamilton, I have some advice:
>
>
>
> Ensure that all your papers are in order.  This means license,
> registration, insurance, ownership, passport, etc.  I mean completely in
> order and readily available!  The police up here seem to have decided
> that VW vans are the likely transport vehicles for the drug trade and
> are pulling them over without any reason whatsoever.
>
>
>
> Keep the van tidy inside.  They need justification to search a vehicle.
> If there is none, they cannot search it (this is based on their
> behaviour, not my legal understanding).  If you have liquor on board,
> keep in the furthest cabinet.  Make absolutely sure it is not in sight
> and certainly not within reach of the driver.
>
>
>
> Don't transport illegal narcotics around (certainly not the types that
> Western Canada is famous for and the dogs love smelling.  If you happen
> to be the type of person that carries a personal amount with you,
> avoiding a search should be your top priority.
>
>
>
> I was pulled over three times on the way from Vancouver to Hamilton.  I
> wasn't speeding or driving recklessly or not using signals or anything
> else.  I was carrying no illegal substances but I really don't like
> dealing with the police and certainly didn't appreciate the veiled
> threats that they presented.  I was never searched and I am convinced it
> is because everything was in order.  They scoured the vehicle through
> the windows using those giant "mag" lights, and I do mean SCOURED.  I am
> convinced that if they had seen anything that they could justify a
> search with, they would have torn the van apart.  Instead they remained
> outside the vehicle, searched through the windows with flashlights, ran
> my credentials through the computer, checked the credentials of the
> person travelling with me, and made threats about dogs and
> incarceration.
>
>
>
> I saw several other VW vans pulled over as well.  This was not something
> isolated to my and my van.  This is disgusting.  I was embarrassed for
> all Canadians.  What a waste of time and what a hassle.  In case you
> didn't notice the tone, I am #*&*$ pissed about this.
>
>
>
> Happy travelling,
>
>
>
> \/\/i!!y
>
> 1980 Westy "Jazzy"