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12- Omno WeeklyTlmes, Wednesday, Februaty' 18, 1998 Don't Drive Drowsy! (NC-It creeps up onl you with very littie waruing. Constant yawning, a nod of the head, heavy eyelids, blurred vi- sion and wandering while driving are some of the warning signs that you may fali asleep at the wheel. Driving when you are sleepy is dangerous. The con- sequences can be just as fatal as drink- ing and driving. Often the actions of fatigued drivers are confused witb those of drivers who have been drinking. 1On average, of the 400,000 drivers involved in reportable collisions in Ontario each year, more than 1,300 were identified as fatigued drivers. Fa- tigue reduces your ability to drive ef- fectively and to tink quickly. Reac- tion time is slower, awareness is de- creased, andjudgment is impaired. Fait asleep at the wbeel and you crash. Here are some tips to drive alert: V Get adequate and qualîty sleep be- fore a trip. V Avoid alcobolic beverages and heavy foods. V Beware of medications that cao im- pair your driving ability. V Limit long distance driving-stop at teast every two hours- rest or walk around. V Drive with a companion and switch drivers, if Possible. V Caffeine-type drinks like coffee or cola can belp keep you alert but they will only provide a short-lived boost. V Stop at a safe place and take a nap. Provîde at least 10 minutes of post- uap wake-up time and do't drive until you feel alert. V Avoid driving during the peak drowsy times - fromn 2 te, 5 p.m., and from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sleep deprivation may be the result of lifestyle, illness or a sleep disorder. See your doctor if you're prune to con- stant sleepiness. Recognize the signs, know the danger, reduce the risks. Don't drive drowsy. OId Man Winter By Keith Bryer (NC)-Eacb year in Ontario, we hold our breat h hoping that Old Man Winter will simpty pass us hy. Each year in Ontario, Old Man Winter overstays his welcome. Out come the skis, galoshes, cold remedies, and three layers of clothing that make most of us wonder wby we ever signed up for those aerobic classes, anyhow. Out on the road, the sure grip of our car tires is comprumised by the snow, sleet, ramn, ice, and slush. Sud- denly, motorists are required te, raise their level of awareuess and skill in pro- portion te, the perceivcd challenge at bad... .winter driving. Without a doubt, experience is the best teacber. Unfortunately, too often this is hard-won experience tbat bends the odd piece of sheet metal in the pro- cess. What follows mnight be considered a quick refresher on tbe fine art of driving accordingto winter rond conditions. In a rut? Tbings could be worse. Usually, any attempt to blaze a new trail wiîl send you and your car into a tailspin. Unless you're forced to avoid an obstacle, stay on track and take it easy. Being second ain't so'bad Ever noticed that there's a #2 on your gear indicator? In severe weather, many automobile owner's man uals will recommend that vehicles be shifted loto second gear in order to provide better traction. Naturally, this is subject to certain speed limitations - read your owner's manual. It may be the differ- ence between spinning your wheels or moving forward cautiously. Put your tires on a diet If you bad to cut a piece of birthday cake, xsould you rather use a knife or a spoon? Well if it was my cake, and the candles hadn't blinded you, I would prefer that you use a koife. The same logic applies to your tires and the snow. Wide performance tires stide over the surface while narrow tires slice through for better traction. Ask any rally driver: skinny beats fat any day. Gimme a brake! Generally speaking, you and, I have a tendency to push the brake pedal through the fluor when we're faced with an emergency hraking situation. Result? The wheels lock and we lose control of the vehicle- once your wheels lock, you cannot steer. If your vehicle is equipped with ABS brakes however, the result can be decidedly different (provided your skill matches the task at hand). Anti-Iock braking systems (ABS) are designed to maximize the stopping distance of your vehicle, and at the same time allow you te, maintain steering control of your ve- bidle. So get to, know your brakes, know what you've got, and learn bow to use them. Driving Sober Is The Way To Go (NC)-Drinking and driving continues to be une of the most serious problems that threatens the lives of everyone- young and old. lu Ontario, based un 1996 data, approximately 30 drinking drivers are involved in crashes eacb day and over 200 peuple were killed in crashes invotving a drinking driver. Close to 20,000 Criminal Code licence suspensions are issued annuatly for drinking/driving related charges. Sev- euty-one per cent are for repeat offend- ers. Remember, alcobol affects your perception, coordination, judgmeut and decision-making ahility. Iu addition to driviug, avoid alcobol when planning physical activities like skiing, snowmohiling and swimming. Remember to choose wisely wben it comes tu drinking and driving: V If you're driving, dou't drink. If you're drinking, don't drive. V Neyer ride with someone who bas been driuking. V Neyer let anyone you know drink and drive., V If you plan ondrinking, leave the car at home and take a cab or bus. V Be or choose a designated driver wben gathering witb friends. V Be a responsible host. Stop serv- ing alcohol a few bours hefore the party is over. Make available al- cobol-free drinks, as well as food. Be prepared to arrange for a taxi, an overnight stay, or a designated driver for guests who may have had too rauch. Lastly, please remember tbat ail alcobol is created equal. Standard servings of beer, wiue and spirits ail contain an equal amont of alcohol. Could it be Alzheimer Disease? 10 'warning signs Vera reads letters and magazines uver and over again. Sfic puts her keys in the fridge. And she lias lost interest in bier belovcd craft- xvoik. Sevcnl(y-tvo-ycaîi-olcl Vera lias Alzhcimcr liîscasc. Her behiavioral changes sig- nalled to lier husband, Mark, that somnething was drastically wrong. .Alzheimer Disease is a degencrative brain disorder that affects more than 1/4 million Canadiatîs. l'lie (is- case cati strike adults at any age, but usually occurs after age 65. As tbe baby boomn generation ages, inore and more peuple are likely lu gel il. By 2030, an cstimated 3/4 million Canadians will have Alzhîeimer Disease or a relatcd demnentia. Alzhecimer Discase lias no known cause or cure; however, as tlîe leading cause of dementia, il pre- sents a specific set of synîp- toms. Fainily inembers often mistake tiiese symp- toms for normal signs of aging. But witbi Alzbeimer Discase, "the changes are nîuchî more severe and nucli more al enconipass- ing, reaching into peuples lives to affect their reason- ing, îîîemîory, concentrationi and use of language," says Dr. Mary Gonnan, a family' doctor in 'Antigonisb, Nova Scotia. The 10 warning signs of Alzheimecr Discase include memnory loss that affects day-to-day function, diffi- culties with lamguage anîd performtance of tasks, dis- orientation of tinte and place,,and exbibiting pour or decreascd judgcnîent. Syniptumns also imclude rapid moud swings, extrenmcly passive behav- iour, prubleins with abstract tliimking, misplacing itemis, and drainatic cbanges ini personality. If you notice several of tîtese symptums, il is impor- tant that the person witb the sylnptumns secetlîe family doctor as soi as possible for a complete examination. Tiiere iiigbî bec otiier rea- sons for the changes. Dcprcssion. thyroid disense, hcart disease and infection can create dementia symp- toms similar to those of Alzheimner Disease. During te assessment, tbe doctor will typically ask the individual and family members to describe the changes îlîey have noticed, then a physical cxa m will be conducted and a miental sta- tus exam. Tbe doctor mnay also scbcdulc lab tests, psy- chiatric and psyclîological evaluations and possibly brain scans. Once otlierconditionis bave been ruled out, the doctor anid other members of the assessment -team may scbedule a family confer- ence to explain ,tlîe Alzheimer diagnosis and the options available for treat- muent, care and support. Finding out that you or a fanîîly member or fricnd have Alzheimer Disease can be devastating. But an carly diagnosis can help families know wbat (bey are dealing with and plan for the future. The Alzheimer Society can help wvith services such as support groups, coun- selling and information resources. Mic Society also funds research into the cause and cure of Alzheimner Disease and into improved methods of caregiving. For miore information on the warning signs, sec the brochure, Is It Alzheimer Disease? 10 Warning Signs, available from your local Alzheimer Society or visit their Web site at www.alzheimer.ca. 'Me 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer Disease is part of the 1998 Alzheimer Awareness campaign sup- ported by Bayer lac., Bowen and Binstock Advertising, Hoechst Marion Roussel Canada Inc., Novartis Pharma Canada and Pfizer Canada Inc. Road Safety U'fOntario