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by Ken Gadsden For the past few weeks we've been emphasizing the im- § portance of concentrating on what you're doing when behind § the wheel. We've noted as well that there are a number of fac- § ors to think about before taking to the road. These are what se = the Canada Safety Council calls "the six conditions of driving." | Last week we talked about four of them - light, weather, traffic, § { and vehicle. Today we'll complete the discussion with num- § bers five and six, road and driver. 5. ROAD Long and winding. Wide open. Rough. Familiar. Strange. What other words describe the roadways you drive on? Condi- tions change from road to road - from a sidestreet to a main § thoroughfare from a backroad to an expressway. And condi- § tions on the same road change - with weather, traffic and con- § struction. 5 The defensive driver looks for these changing conditions § and prepares for them. Drivers living on the island for example §& might take into account that island road slopes downhill to {i Highway 7A. If the temperature is near freezing that slope | could be icy. Better to plan ahead than to find out the hard § way. % Think about the route you're going to take. Are there par- § ticular hazards on it? Tight curves, farm vehicles, blind inter- § sections, construction activity or as we've recently seen deer | or other animal hazards. Picture the route in your mind and § where special precautions should be taken. Have you noticed § some sidestreets on your route where drivers habitually roll § out onto the through road? Be prepared! 3 If you are taking an unfamiliar road recognize that fact. § Watch for road signs indicating curves, hills, etc. Slow down! In all cases: - Be alert to the shape, surface, and shoulder of the road. : - Respond to the signs of potential hazards. Among the skid 3 producing agents to watch for are wet leaves, gravel, sand, { mud, water and ice. . - Test road traction by lightly applying the brakes at low speed § - Learn how to brake properly. {The M.O.T.C. Bulletin "Winter & Driving" which | mentioned last week, has a good description}. & Remember if you lock your brakes up you can no longer steer § the vehicle. : - Adjust your speed to conditions.' 6. DRIVER Well, was there a doubt? This is the most critical of the 3 six conditions. If it "Ain't Right" only fate will keep you from col- lisions. You must be physically and emotionally fit to drive. If not, you limit your ability to adjust to the other five conditions. The following factors all affect your fitness to drive: - Alcohol - If you're going to drive don't drink! It's that simple. Alcohol adversely affects judgement, reaction time, and coor- dination. In spite of all the publicity in recent years it continues to be a factor in more than 50% of fatal collisions. Fact is you can't tell when you are impaired. You may think you can but you can't. If you haven't been charged with impaired or in- volved in a collision but, you continue to drink and drive you're a dummy! You've been lucky - so far. Those "bad apples" who hit the front page are in many cases not people with booze problems. They're ordinary people like you and me. - Age - Younger drivers tend to be in good physical condition but lack experience and mature judgement. Older drivers may have the experience but the physical and sensory capabilities may be deteriorating. For example the ability to see well at night decreases with age and is noticeable after about age 40. - Attitude - This affects it all. Aggressive "me first" personali- ties frequently cause collisions by harebrained manoeuvres, jackrabbit starts and screeching stops. Driving is a serious re- sponsibility. Your driving reflects your attitude towards this re- sponsibility. If you speed, tailgate, run caution lights, have a burning desire to pass any vehicle ahead of you, fail to con- centrate etc., etc., your attitude needs a good dose of adjust- ment. - Drowsiness and Fatigue - Don't drive when you're tired. Pull off the road. Walk around. Pump your arms. Exercise. Breathe the fresh air. Opening the window may help but is isn't enough. Don't rely on coffee to keep you awake. Take a nap or let someone else drive. Risks can be increased by simple cold remedies and pre- scribed drugs. Ask your physician about their effects on driv- ing ability. - Emotions - Heightened emotions - anger, frustration, worry, even joy and excitement can lead to reduced concentration Get your emotions in check befcre getting benind the whee and control them while driving. My dad used to say "think of al the other drivers as crazy. Don't let them get to you," What upsets you on the road? Make up your mind to let it : roll off your back. to get the "feel" of the road. IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE ADVERTISE WHERE IT PAYS PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, December 11, 1990 -- 29 The Christmas Eve candlelight service is at 7:30 p.m. at Green- bank Church. The choirs will be presenting the musical "Christmas, I Love To Tell The Story' Please join us. Several friends and neighbours, gathered at Shona & Murray Stones for a Christmas Party and also to celebrate Murray's birth- day - Happy 40th Murray!! Congratulations to Eve Hunter! Last Sunday at Prince Albert church, many friends gathered to honor her. For 40 years she has been choir leader & organist in various churches. Choir practice in Greenbank begins at 7 p.m. Thursday. Junior and intermediate choirs are ask- ed to come at 8 p.m. for a rehear- Honeydale The December meeting of Honeydale W.I. was held on Thursday, Dec. 6, with a fairly good attendance. We all enjoyed an excellent pot-luck luncheon at 12:30, following which, our presi- dent, Mary Cannon, conducted a very interesting meeting, assisted by Jean Carnochan, our recording secretary. After the singing of the opening Ode, the roll call was answered by each member contributing non- perishable food for the food bank, which resulted in a sizeable amount. The minutes of the November meeting were read, also the treasurer's report. Thank you notes had been received from Port Perry High School acknowledging scholar- ships given by our organization to two students at the Commence- ment Exercises in November. A report concerning the bread- making course was given by Grace Bassant, with enough in- = sal for Christmas Eve Musical. May we also at this time con- gratulate Linda Hunter for her excellent work as organist and choir leader with Greenbank choirs. She, like her mother, Eva has that precious God given talent! Most of the family joined in to celebrate Larry's birthday at the Don McKeans on Sunday. He will reach the big 40 next year. Maybe Don had his Christmas dinner then too - as he hopes to be in Bar- rie hospital for Christmas. The euchre party at the hall will be on Friday, Dec. 14. Please bring your MUG! Margaret & Robert Couper- thwaite attended the Wallace Memorial Church in Scarborough Candlelight service, Christmas Eve service Sunday night. They visited Sadie Johnson's 80th bir- thday Open House in Uxbridge on their way and visited Rev. & Mrs. Rodgers in Highland Creek. The December meeting of our Women's Institute will be held at the McKean's home, Wed. 12, at 12:30 noon. This is a pot luck lun- cheon and the roll call is, 'Bring a Stamped Christmas Card." This is to be sent to the "shut-ins."" Too, we will prepare a Christmas Box for a family dinner for Operation Scugog. All neighbour ladies are invited to join us. Arrive safely home for the holidays, Because We Care, buckle up, arrive alive, don't drink and drive. Friends don't let friends drive drunk. Designate a driver. Just say no to drugs. Spon- sored by Greenbank Women's Institute. Women's Institute terest being shown to have a follow-up course in our own branch in the new year. A good report from the Conven- tion at the Royal York was presented by our delegate, Marion Johnston, which resulted in some interesting discussion. Marion said she was indeed pro- ud to hear it reported at the con- vention, of the substantial amount raised by our district from our display at the Port Perry Fair for "Pennies for Friendship." Jean Carnochan gave a good report of the district meeting held in Brooklin last month. Plans were made to remember our sick and shut-in members at this Christmas season. We also voted to send a cash donation to the Food Bank. There have been some inquiries concerning the forming of a 4-H Club in this community. Anyone interested in getting involved in this worthwhile activity, please get in touch with Marion = G Johnston. Our Motto for this month's meeting was "Good Citizenship, like baseball, requires team work." An excellent paper, prepared and presented by Edna Wilson, pointed out many of the qualities we should strive for, and advocate in these troublesome times in our society, to become better citizens. A most appropriate Christmas poem was read by Dorothy McLean, followed by the singing of some familiar Christmas carols, and exchange of gifts. A special thanks to Clara War- ren and her group for planning this meeting and for the favours we each received, which had been made by Clara and her helpers. The meeting closed with the "Hymn of All Nations" which seemed most appropriate at this time, when we all are hoping for "peace on Earth and Good Will To All!" 2 Santa's Midnight Sale N| THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13th Open until Midnight! Come Early for Best Selection! 40% to 50% OFF STOREWIDE For your Christmas Shopping Convenience ... New Hours Monday to Friday 10 AM to 8 PM; Saturday 10 AM to 4:30 PM; Sunday 12 Noon to 4 PM. 180 MARY STREET, PORT PERRY (behind the post office) Clothing for the Fuller Figure 985-9948 EA EE EE RI TEE a EE Tr ree I ------mmm,rm,,