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SUPPLEMENT TO McHENRY PLAINDEALEE - PAGE 3 - WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977 AUTOWORLD Br BRENT RUSSELL Congresa had a commend­ able intention back in 1972 when it passed a law calling for the creation of a compre­ hensive auto consumer infor­ mation system. Its purpose was to allow buyers to com­ pare cars by makes and models for characteristics of damageability, crashworthi- ness and repairability. The lawmakers reasoned that the marketplace could easily accept the burden for d i s c o u r a g i n g c a r s t h a t showed up badly and encour­ aging those that rated high. Chances are good, however, that such a system will never see the light of day. The key is development of a rating system and there is considerable doubt that one can be established. Insurance companies that the govern­ ment had counted on to pro­ vide raw data are now calling for repeal of the law, saying "little benefit could be ex­ pected to flow from this title." There is no indication that the government will ask for the repeal, but there is like­ wise no Indication that the responsible agency, the Na­ tional Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is in any rush to implement the law. It is not difficult to under­ stand why it is so hard to develop the rating system. For such a system to work, there must be data based on experience. But for the data to have~ value, it must be available before it is gained --that is, before a new car is bought. Shortly after the legisla­ tion was passed, the govern­ ment sat down with insurance company representatives. This step was deemed necessary because the law says auto dealers would have to pro­ vide prospective car buyers with comparative insurance costs of various makes and models. The government believed that the loss data of insur­ ance companies could be used as the primary source of information to judge makes and models for the damageability, crashworthi- ness and repairability. This proved impossible for a num­ ber of reasons. For one thing, the com­ panies pay for auto damage losses through two different sets of policies: collision and property damage liability. The collision losses tend to emphasize front-end dam­ ages, while rear-end claims often result in liability claims. When federal and insur­ ance company representatives searched claim files, they discovered that less than 60 per cent contained data needed to establish the con­ clusions sought by govern­ ment under the law. Even manual searches of the rec­ ords failed to develop in­ formation. Finally, the system envi­ sioned by the government ignored the human factors. General Electric Co., hired by NHTSA as a consultant, concluded that e^en though a particular make or model may experience a higher ac­ cident involvement, "it can­ not be said that these ad­ verse characteristics are solely a function of the car itself." Going on, GE's researchers said, "The type of driver and driving environment to which the vehicle is exposed are factors which influence a ve­ hicle's record and must there­ fore be considered." All this is reason enough to scrap the plan. Getting more cost information to customers is a good idea and should be supported. But if the infor­ mation is misleading or in­ adequate, no one is served. Said another way, no infor­ mation is better than bad information. ••• • • • • Life's hardest task: liv­ ing each day by the Golden Rule. * • • * Adults who complain about the ways of children should remember that children learn what they know from adults. Carpoolers Can Ease the Tenalon Stanley Stocks, a Shell Oil Co. executive Who has trav­ eled extensively promoting the use of car pooling for commuting to and from work, admits that a major reason such arrangements fall apart is personality clashes among the riders. He's worked out a few simple rules to try to cool the irri­ tations that build up when the same people ride in the same car day after day. "Set up a schedule and be on time--always," he says, listing tardiness--that causes others to be late to work--as the number one personal re­ lations problem in car pools. At the very least, he says, a driver or rider who is going to be late should let everyone else know. Stocks opts for democracy on the question of which radio station to listen to, if any. He says to vote on the issue. But he doesn't buy voting on the tough issue of whether to allow smoking: ban it if anyone objects, he advises. He also warns that in the delicate area he calls "per­ sonal hygiene" either too much or too little may create a problem. "Under-deodor­ ised or overperfumed riders can send people reeling for fresh air," he says. Stocks lays a lot of the re­ sponsibility for a peaceful car pool at the driver's door. It is up to the car owners to see that it is running well enough so it doesn't give up in the middle of a trip, and that there's no speeding or inebriated driving. The Shell expert even tells drivers to make sure that there's enough gas in the tank for both legs of the round trip. He's found "most people resent stops and delays." *** Right If you are wrong, you can't afford to argue and if you are right, what's the use? •Republican, Toronto. GET A LOT MORE CHEVETTE FOR A LOT LESS MONEY. 18 New Standard Features lor 78 AM radio Reclining bucket seats* White stripe tires 1.6 Litre engine Console . Sport steering wheel Wheel trim rings * Deluxe grille • Color-keyed instrument panel • Glove compartment lock • Cigarette lighter »Body side moldings Chrome headlight trim Bright hood edge molding Bright instrument panel molding Automatic dome light switch (both doors) Bumper rub strips Swing-out rear windows CHEVROLET All these features are standard for the first time on the '78 Chevette Coupe. And yet the '78 Chevette is priced* lower than last year's car with the same equipment. So come on in soon to see and test drive this very impressive small car with the attractive price tag. And while you're at it, be sure to ask to see Chevette's new 4-door Hatchback. It's roomier than the Coupe and still priced to drive you happy. 'Comparison of manufacturer's suggested retail price for a 1977 Chevette Coupe with features now standard on a 1978 Chevette Coupe. * * Some early production Chevettes in our inventory will not be equipped with these reclining bucket seats. SEE ALL THE NEW 1978 CHEVROLET MODELS ON DISPLAY NOW. AND REMEMBER;. NATIONAL CAR RENTAL WE ARE McHENRY COUNTY'S CAR RENTAL HEADQUARTERS WE FEATURE CHEVROLET AND OTHER FINE GENERAL MOTORS CARS. ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS HONORED PAYTON CHEVROLET HWY. 31 SOUTH. McHENRY 385-2100