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8 - Orono Weekly Mines, Wedniesdaiy,,July 9,11997 Co-operative education career fair Farm vehicle -operators Left to right: Lisa Johnson,' Kari Francis and Heidi On Wednesday, June il, Clarke High Sehool Co-oper- ative Education students par-, ticipated in another very fmne career-fair. lnvolved students demonstrated what they had leamned about their career area while on their co-op placements during the sec- ond semester this year. Dlsplays were varied: automechanics, cabinetrnak- ers, physiotherapists, chiro- practors, x-ray technicians, teachers, chefs, hairdressers, secretaries, and social work- ers, to name just a few, were represented. Guests from the commu- nity visited to view the dis- plays "and to talk to those with the expertise. The twice- Peleshok. annual career fairs hosted by Co-op students have become a tradition as they. are an excellent vehicle to demon- strate some of the learning which has taken place while the stijdents are at their placement. Congratulations, co-op students, on a job well done! have, rights toc By: Neil H. Fennell. OPF, P, The first reaction of some motorists when they encounter a farm vehicle on, the highway is, "What is he doing here?" Slow moving, awkward in appearance, and often in combination thus making them difficult to eas- ily pass, farm vehicles are perceived to be a dangerous nuisance on our highways. Ln fact if you were to canvas farm operators they would quickly confirm that highway driving is among the least popular activities they under- take. Also, they too are unsure of what rights and obligations they face under the law. Let me be perfectly clear on one point. Farm tractors and self propelled irnplements of husbandry such as com- bines have theight to travel on public highways, includ- ing county and township roads, whenever used for spe- cific farm purposes. They are not, however, motor vehicles and thus are exempt -from many of the llcensing require- ments of motorists. A slow moving vehicle sign is required to be attached to the rear of farm vehicles on a highway and, if operated at nlght or inclement weather, lightlng front and back is requlred. No one under the age of 16 years can operate a farm veh-icle on any highway at any time., There is, however, no age restriction to drive direct- ly across a highiway. Farma vehicles can be driven on the roadway, not the-shoulder, and must pull to the right hand edge of the roadway to assist motor vehicles wishing to pass. While it may seem prudent to travel along the shoulder, thus minimizing the inconvenience to fast moving vehicles, shoulder width and stability can endanger farm vehicle opera- tors. The real dilemma faced by farmers is more a question of haste and inattention by otJhi ers, than ignorance of the law. Vehicles traveling 30km/h sharing the road with those traveling over 80 km/h is dangerous at the best of times. The greatest danger occurs when farm vehicles must turn left off the' roadway into intersections or private lanes. Turus must be signaled mechanically or manually in advance to alert approaching traffic. Having said that, I suggest farm oper- ators pull to the right to ailow traffic to pass before com- mencing the turn thus reduc- ing the chance that a motorist may try to turn out and go around the farm vehicle while in the act of turning. Tough decisions have to be made, a keen eye to what's happening around you and expect the unexpected pretty well sums up a farm vehicle operator's travels on the high- way. Gopligeï,sTae Corne to the Orono Fair this Sept. 41 5, 6,77 Left to right: Sal Crimi, David Watt and Greg Bull. Net-cw legisiation 'on road safet passed Durham East MPP John ROToole advised, "New leg- lslation passed by the Ontario government in the Legislature on Jul y 3rd wlll targethi- way offenders". SUiffer fines and penalties will be given to drunk drivers, ln particular for repeat ofend- ers who can be faced with life- Urne suspensions. As well, the Cornprehensive Road Safety Act, 1997, will give truck operators, wbço loose a wheel while driving on a highway,' immediate fines up- to $50,000. "Under the new legislation, drivers, who practice unsafe driving, will be given some of the harshest penalties for vio- lations", said Mr. OToole. Also faclng siffer fines, will be drivers Who drive past stopped school buses that have their stop arm out and red lights flashlng. Drivers, who lend their vehicles to other drivers, should be cautioned. Under the new legislation, police wili be given the. power to impound the vehicles of drunk drivers, or those who lcnd their vehicles to drunk drivers, as well as vehicles operated by motorists with suspended licenses. Mr. OToole said, "People in Ontario have asked their gov- ernment to introduce mea- sures that are almed at high- way safe ty. The objective of this Bill is to crackdown on some of the worst offenders on our roads." Dppp Decks* Patios* Interlock* Siding Walkways * Drivewys * Cernent MAKETHEM LOOK LIKE NEW - PHONE 983-5705 Newcastle PIiotorapiic < rnets Suimioer Of 5avigs 19 Kfn7g St. ed5t NeWCds5tle Colour fuit frame onIy 11026 Dsk& S5nm987-3409 Offer expires SEPT119 MMMM<