-77 WIIITY FREE PRESS, Durham Moyeu, OCToBER 19, 1988, PAGE A3 'NewWave' underway in car sales at dealerships' FROM PAGEfl cause there's too much ta be told about cars. The people selling themn have ta know how they op- erate, why they operate and how they would suit your needs. And with the exception of reg- ular maintenance, no longer can the average persan fix their car in their driveway. TIhere are no longer "mechanics" but "techni- cians"' who are trained, not only in basic mechanics, but electron- ics., As one old mechanic jokes, "To be a mechanic nowadays you have ta be a mechanic, an elec- trician, a computer geniuà and- a plumber!" AUl this is a reflectcion ýof the time and care manufacturera are putting into building cars as is, evidenced by slogans such as "Quality is Job One," as an exazn- pIe. It is also a reflection of what the custamer bas been demand- ing. However, when you_ are, pur- chasing a car there is more ta Accidents involving pedes- trians and bicyclists are axnong the most tragic of al motor vehicle collisions. They almsot always result in injury ta the pedestrian or bicydlist and can leave the motarist emotionally hurt for life. Traditionally we teach aur cbildren not to mun out onta the road and not te jaywalk. These actions remain the number 2 and 3 causes of pedestrian accidents and. we should continue ta reinforce these traffic safety messages. However, it may surprise you fa learn that the number one, most frequently recorded vehicle pedestrian accident in Ontario occurs at a cantrolled intersection (traffic signal, STOP sign, YIELD sign) when the pedestrian is crassing with the right of way! Many of these accidents occur because one of the participants "thaught" the other persan saw him or ber. While vehicle accidents are often the result of events that we can actually watch develop (at least in hindsight), vebicle-pedestrian and vehi- dle-bicycle accidents seem to occur almost instantly. The Most important factor in avoiding these types of accidents is ta see and be seen early! There are three things every pedestrian sbauld do before crossing tbe street: 1. Make yourself visible ta oncoming traffic. Do not stand behind a mail box, hydro pale, parked car or any other abject that might block a motoristes view of you. 2. Make it a habit ta look for vehicles about ta turn acroas your path. Motarists about ta turn - right or left- may be paying more attention ta gaps in the oncoming traffic stream than -.ta pedestrians crossing the road. 3. Before you step in front of a moving vehicle, look for an obviaus indication that the driver bas seen you and will stop. Try ta make eye contact with motoristsl and wait for them ta reduce their speed. The samne principles apply ta bicyclists: 1. Make yourself visible. Da not ride in the shadow af larger vehicles that may block your* view of other traffic, or their view of you. 2. Look for turning vehicles. Remembor that some cars bave a blind spot big enougb ta lase sight of a tractar trailer. Always presumne that the driver bas nat seen yau. Be extra cautiaus wben passing a vehîcle approacbing consider than just the basic ma- chine and what options are affer- ed. 1"Cars today are getting so high tech now that most of the local garages don't have the equipment to repair them, nor especially the expertise," says David Florence of ickering Hyundai. As bas been the case for a long time, manufacturers put on train- ing courses ta update their me- chanic/technicians every year. Also, you should look at things like the location of where von-. purchased it. You have to consid- er how easy it is going ta befor you to get it fixed and where it's situated on your way to work. These are important cansider- ations when making a purchase because it can be frustrating to wait for the return of a repaired vehicle, or finding ii is not repair- ed properly. Time is important too. Teople's time bas to be consid- ered a lot more," says Michael Boyer, of Boyer Pontiac Bick. "If RANDY MCLEAN IS A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER WH0 SPECIALIZES IN TRAFFIC SAFETY. tW. McLean han reviewed thousands of individual motor vehicle accident reports and his close working relationships with police agencies, governments, safety associations, indejtry and the public, have given him a true overview of traffic safety issues, problems and solutions in Canada. an intersection, anticipate that it may turn in front of you. 3. Be aware that not al motorists signal before turn- ing, but most slow down and glance in the direction they about ta turn. Watch for and learn ta read driver and vehicle body language. What can motorists do ta prevent these accidents? First, assume that neither pedes- trians ar bicyclists will follow any of the above advice. Second, LOOKI As simple as that sounds, last year 1,289 pedestrians were struck by a vebicle while crossing at a controlled intersection with the right of way. Another 218 were struck in marked pedestrian crosswalks. It takes a long time ta stop 2,000 lbs. of metal - your best defence is ta, see pedestrians and bicyclists well in ad- vance. The importance of seeing and being seen cannot be overrated. Pedestrians and bicyclists can increase their visibility by wearing bright colora during the day and light colored retro-reflective clathes at night. The advice we give ta aour cMIldren on Halloween works ahl year round. This article bas emphasized how pedestrians and bicydlists can protect themselves. This does nat mean that they are more "a ault" than motorists, the accident statistics speak for tbemselves. But it does recognize that while the laws of justice may be on the side of the pedestrian and bicyclist, the laws of pbysics (and physical injury) clearly favor the matorist. Please walk, ride, and drive safely! I go ta a doctor, for example, and my appointment is for 10:15 a.m. If he calîs me in at il a.m. there's no sense checking my blood pres- sure because its goîng ta be high. He's insulted my time. And I think that bothers people a whale ltmore than anything else. They get the impression they're not cared about.' NEW IMAGE "The car'business bas always bad this stigma that car salesmen SALES & LEASING DEPIS. Mon. - Ihuis. 9 ar.- 9 p.. Fri. & Sat. 9 a.m. 6 p.rn. SERVICE * PARTS a BODYSHOP Mon. Wed. & hri. 8 arn. - 6 p.rn. lhursday 8 ar. .-9 p.. are crooks, cheats, and thieves," sýys Reg Thody, genieral sales nianager of Pickering Toyota. "But I want peuple ta realize that the car industry is going through a new wave." 17 900ont 2 DOOR DLX, freight & PDI included *48 month lease based on ,$2500.00 down or equivalent trade in, OAC. Tax and License Extra. 1989's NOW D4 STOCK 1989 MICIRA--, 'lkU14lflN' KINGCHU.RCH N 375 BAYLY ST. WEST, AJAX, ONT. 4........-. ~ ~ ......-.. --..- -. THE HAVE ARRTIVED 1989's NOW IN STOCK 1989 SENTRA Good Supply 0f 1989's In Stoc 1989 STANZAS from $1 5,089oo* 4door, sedan - DLX 1989 PULSARS from $15,989oo* 3 door, coupe - XE 1989 MICRAS from $8 ,289o* 3 door, hatchback - >LX 1989 SENTIRAS from $1 O,889o* 2 door, sedan - DLX 1989 PATHFINDER from $1 9,689oo* 5 seats, XE 1989 KING CAB from $11,589oo* DLX *Freight and PDI $495.00 - Tax and License Extra DOOR DLX, freight and PDI included *48 month lease based on $1800.00 down or equivalent trade in, OAC.Tax and License Extra. MUMM. :,-- y,- - - A m