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PAGE 20, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1986, WHITBY FREE PRPSS Province launches study of 10 The ministry of con- sumer and commercial relations announced last week it will conduct a survey to determine whether very low alcohol beverages pose a problem for young children. The beverages, which contain less than one percent alcohol by volume, are exempt from regulation under the Liquor Licence Act and may be sold in cor- ner stores. A survey conducted by the Whit- by Free Press this summer found the beverages were sold locally in a number of stores, including stores located close to schools. In June the Durham Board of Education sent a letter to the ministry expressing its concern after it was alerted by the O'Neil Collegiate Advisory Committee that the drinks posed a e alcohol soda potential problem. "I am aware of the concerns regarding the sale of these beverages to children," stated con- sumer minister Monte Kwinter. "I believe the initiatives we are taking will help determine the extent to which exempt beverages are being consumed by children and the incidence, if any, of problems associated with the con- sumption." The ministry, in cooperation" with the Addiction Research Foundation, will survey primary and junior high school principals, medical officers of health and a sampling of community relations police officers in On- tario to assess the use of the exempt beverages. A five member team consisting of ARF and ministry staff will develope a question- HI PARDNER! SUNS A SHININ, TIMES A WASTIN, SADDLE UP & HEAD OVERTO JESSOME AUTO SALES FER A REAL FINE BUY ONAPREOWNEDCAR OR TRUCK BE WAITIN FER YA' Taunton Rd. E. & Townline Oshawa, 433-8188 August 15 to Buy any of the November 29, following new 1986 Stihl chain saws: Stlhi 011 AVEU, 024 Super, 034 EU38U agnum, 056 Magnum. 16" 18° end 21* bars only. GET THIS FREE! DURHAM EQUIPMENT RENTALS 1230 DUN DAS ST. E. (Speedy Auto Plaza) WHITBY 668-0880 ST/HL naire and monitor the implementation of the plan. Results of the sur- vey should be known in December. The minister said he also plans to notify manufacturers of beverages with an alcohol content near the exemption level and request that they take steps to insure the products are not sold to small children. According to a ministry press release, ARF recently recom- mended that pressure be exerted by the com- munity on particular retailers whose sale of the beverages has resulted in problems for children or young teenagers, and that government at all three levels seek the volun- tary cooperation of the manufacturers to take steps to alert retailers to the potential hazards and the need for discretion when selling to minors. Stairways win cup Whitby under 12 boys soccer team tapped yet another successful soc- cer season by emerging as Durharn Cup cham- pions for the third year in a row along with the league championship and the Durharn News KnockoutShield. In the cup final game last Wednesday against a tough Oshawa Kicks team, the Whitby squad proved themselves as true champions by coming back fron a 2- goal deficit at half-time to win six goals to two in overtime play. Police notes By PETER BRAMMA September...It comes not a moment too soon for most parents of school-age children. We love them dearly, but it is with a sigh of relief that we wave goodbye to them as they slowly plod off to school. As you close the door behind them you can now look forward to some peace and quite, relaxed in the knowledge that your child will be well taken care of by the school system and it's many support ser- vices. This brings me to the subject of this article. But, first, a question. What do you feel is the most impor- tant vehicle on the road today? As a quick reply you might state: my own car; a chemical truck; or an ambulance. But as I take time to think about it, my answer would be: a school bus. Just think, a school bus may be carrying up to 50 children and each one of them of value beyond price. Every school day, school purpose buses travel Ontario's highways transporting almost 600,000 children to and from school. Ensuring their safety is a responsibility of many people, from members of school boards, bus companies, and police, to the general driving public. Your children are in good hands when they ride the school bus. Bus drivers are well-trained (I took the training for a bus licence in 1985 so I know how thorough the course is), and very concientious about their important responsibilities (it's of credit to them that when it comes to accident statistics, the school bus is the least likely type of vehicle to be in an accident. So, statistically the school bus is the safest type of vehicle on the road). But they need your help in keeping the children in their care, safe. To help do this let's look attthe duties you face as a driver or a parent when dealing with school buses. THE DRIVER (includes cyclists) Because school buses are such important vehicles there are strict traffic laws to follow when ap- proaching them. The school bus stopping law ap- plies everywhere in Ontario regardless of posted speed limit on highways, county roads, city and town streets. Drivers meeting a stopped school bus with red lights flashing must stop, unless they are on a highway divided by a median strip (a median strip is a physical barrier or an unpaved strie of ground.) A good example of this type of road near my home in Whitby would be Manning Rd. between Anderson and Brock Sts. This road has a grass boulevard between the E/B and W/B lanes along most of its length. Drivers following or overtaking a stopped school bus with red lights flashing on any highway (divided or not) must stop at least 20 metres before reaching the bus. In both cases (meeting or following), motorists may not proceed until the bus resumes motion, or the lights have stopped flashing. Conviction for failure to stop when required carriers a minimum fine of $128 plus six demerit points on your licence. Please be careful and patient when around school buses. No one likes to get stuck behind one and it's understandable that you would want to take any opportunity you can to get by. Part of our duties in community services is to in- vestigate drivers reported for passing school buses, and it's incredible how careless some drivers are. We've even had reports of motorists passing stop- ped school buses, about to discharge children, by passing on the shoulder of the roadway. When teaching school bus safety we have to remind children to look before stepping out of the doorway just in case this type of violation is taking place. Another thing, don't panic if a school bus you are approaching suddenly has the red light ac- tivated and you are too close to stop. The bus driver is trained to activate the lights as he or she ap- proaches the pickup or dropoff point as a warning that the bus is about to stop. It is not until the bus has actually stopped that it becomes illegal to pass. Of course, a defensive driver will think ahead, and on approaching a school bus that appears to be slowing down for a stop, he or she will slow down and be prepared for a possible stop. Also, when on a major highway such as number 2, make sure you stop when meeting a stopped school bus. Just because there are lots of traffic lanes bet- ween you and the bus, you must still stop for those flashing lights. We receive many complaints about Hwy. 2 right across the region. Remember, just about ail of Hwy. 2 is not divided, and no matterlhow wide the roadway you must still stop. Finally, you may see a school bus stopped discharging or taking on children ., and the lights are not flashing. This is because there are either traffic lights in the vacinity or the area is posted as a school bus loading zone. Under these circumstan- ces you may pass, but with care. THE PARENT If your child rides the school bus make sure they know the safety rules. The rules are vital to safety. Be aware that a lot of noise or bad behaviour can be very distracting to the school bus driver. Accidents have been caused due to the fact that the driver has not been able to concentrate on the job at hand. The Ministry of Education regulations state that every pupil is responsible to the principal of the school for his or her conduct while travelling on a school bus. Bus riding is a privilege, not a right. If a student's privilege is suspended due to bad behaviour, paren- ts are responsible for the transportation of their children. Make sure your children are aware of these basic rules: 1. Get to the pick-up spot at the designated time. 2. Enter the bus in single file. Do not push. 3. Take your seat promptly and remain seated. 4. Never throw things on the bus or out the win- dows. 5. Keep aisles clear. 6. Keep windows closed unless driver gives per- mission to open. 7. Never put hands, arms, head, or legs out of the window. 8. Refrain from loud or boisterous behaviour. 9. No eating, drinking or smoking on the bus. 10. Be careful when you leave the bus, look for traffic. So please treat the Big Yella Fella with the respect he deserves. Remember, our future is riding on him1 European academie opportunities open 'Qualified high school students are offered a unfque opportunity to spend an academic year or summer holiday in Scandinavia, Germany, France, Switzerland, Britain, Holland, Spain, Australia. New Zealand or the United States as part of the ASSE Inter- national (ASSE) Student Exchange Program,' announced Michelle Poisson, Canadian Director of See pg. 21 Women's Voileybal Any women interested in playing competitive voleyballwith the Winvalley Volleyball Club are invited to attend the club's tryouts Thursday, Oc- tober 2 from 8:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. at G.L. Roberts Collegiate in Oshawa. For more infor- mation please cail Hedy Gadd at 623-9516. 4 acUNTR&POEYLD. FURNITURE & UPHOLSTERY LTD. •ANTIQUES RESTORED •CUSTOM UPHOLSTERY *NO-DIP STRIPPING •REPAIRS •REFINISHING A large selection of Victorian parlour furniture available 413 DUN DAS ST. E. WHITBY 668-5481