WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY#,FEBRUARY8,1989, PAGE 13 Toyota Cressida review see p. 14 Auto dealership expansion approved see p.16 AUTONW Toronto Auto Show opens February 16 By Debbie Luchuk With somethin for every- body's transportation needs and dreams the Toronto Inter- national Auto Show will open Feb. 16 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Rare cars will meet the com- monplace econo car and the pro- totype of the future. General manager of the show, Tom' Tonks, said, "There will be some- thing there to meet everyone's transportation needs." Tonks told The Free Press that the show will feature exhibits- from every major auto manufac- turer; 36 manufacturers from 16 countries. "Over 500 cars will be on display, among them a number of North American previews, not- ably Nissan and Acura. "There will be number of pro- totype and design cars," he said, as well as a display of. antique raemg cars. s Needless ta say, with more than $10 million in automotive rarities and new cars, Tonks said there will be 75 security people on patrol at all times, as well as 20 lainclothes security. Tanks said there will be a large accessory area, automotive boutique and displays from the major tire manufacturers. 'What's new and different this year is the prototypes from the manufactur-ers " Tonks said: The prototypes incfude Toyota FXU- 2, Ford Machete, Passport Gemini, GM Camaro GTV Con- cept, Lada Okhta, and for the first four days only, the Chev Venture and a Buick prototype. "There will be a- brand new Toyota fashion show, a whole bunch of new exhibitors in the accessory section, tire companies (exhibits) and new fuel conver- sion systems (exhibits)." An automotive.. simulator, a sports driving school and a remote controi car display will provide entertainment for all SEE PAGE 15 Truck, sport/utility vehicle the latest auto fashion trend By Debbie Luchuk Planes, trains and automobiles are taking take a back seat to the latest trend in mobility this year: the truck and sport/utility vehicle. Fashionable drivers of all ages, stages and incomes are trading in performance and economy vehicles in droves for half-ton trucks, light trucks, and sport utility vehicles in two- and four- wheel drive for several reasons beyond esthetics. The latest truck models have most of the options previously available only in cars such as air conditioning, electronic sound, power windows and door locks. Seating is more comfortable and the interiors more spacious. The drive is much more com- fortable than it was, most trucks constructed like and driving like cars. Dependability and repeated satisfactory performance day after day are two major points in the truck's favor. Engnes are- generally tougher,and last longer, bodies are usually con- structed of heavier steel, for longer body life. The latter qua- lity is of importance to the safety conscious. Gas economy in light trucks and utility vehicles is generally good to excellent, depending on the model and engine size. Buyers are no longer exclu- sively male; more and more women and families are making the purchase of the truck. Bob Weindorfer of Midway Nissan has noticed a -large in- crease in the number of trucks bought for personal use. "There are a lot more buying for personal use. They are an excellent second car," he said of the light trucks Nissan offers. Where he's noticed the biggest increase in sales has been in the compact utility vehicle market. "In compact utilities, there are lots more (customers) buying. Our total truck sales are way up. Weindorfer said that current truck models provide a lot of space, ride like a car, and are "a lot more useful. They look yup- pie." At Midway, many of the truck buyers have been families. 'It used to be 95 per cent guys in baseball caps (buying the trucks." Truck sales reps at Bill Nurse Chev Olds have also noticed an increase in sales of trucks and utility vehicles such as the Chevy Blazer and the new Tracker utility vehicle. Most people buying GM trucks have cited the longer lifespan, heavier weight and safety con- cerns as reasons for buying. Wildwood Ford's manager Bill Linkmaster said he, too, has noticed an increase in the sales of trucks, and many are being sold to families as a secon vehicle to accompany the family car. "One vehicle is usually the family car and the second is the truck. They can get more use out SEE PAGE 15 DRIVING with RANDY RANDY McLEAN IS A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER WHO SPECIAUZES IN TRAFFIC SAFETY. Mr. McLean has reviewed thousands of individual motor vehicle accident reports and his close working relationships with police agencies, goverrnments. safety assodations, industry and the public, have given him a true overvew of traffic safety issues, problems and solutions in Canada. IMPAIRED DRIVING - OUR DOUBLE STANDARD Consider how you would react to the following headlines: 'SECRET STUDY SHOWS 44.6 PER CENT OF ALL FATAL AIRPLANE CRASHES CAUSED BY IMPAIRED PILOTSI', or sinilarly, 'SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS IMPAIRED IN 44.6 PER CENT OF ALL FATAL CRASHES!' Outrage? Anger? Would your reaction change if the study referred to train accidents or marine accidents? Would you continue to send your children to school on the bus? How safe would you feel about travelling in general? Would you recommend that any driver, pilot or engineer found impaired while on duty be dismissed immediately? Why would you react so strongly to these headlines? Probably because you believe that in accepting their jobs these individuals also accept an obligation to ensure the safety of their passengers and other system users. Does this same obligation apply to you and I as motorists? Without question it does. Yet data provided by the Canada Safety Council during National Safe Driving Week earlier this month indicates that in 1986 44.6 per cent of all fatally irjured motorists in Canada were legally impaired --- not just had a drink sometime that day, but were legally and obligations that go along with the privileges of a driver's licence. We must apply the same standards to ourselves as we do to pilots and school bus drivers. These two groups have helped achieve outstanding safety records for their industries. Only you can stop impaired driving. Drive responsibly - drive safely. impaired with a blood-alcohol level over 80 rng% at the time of the accident. This information was compiled by the Traffie Irjury Research Foundation from actual coroners', medical examiners' and police reports. About 90 per cent of all fatally injured drivers in nine provinces were tested. Do you remember the national headlines, television coverage, emergency recall of Parliament? No, neither do I. For the most part this information is not considered newsworthy. Do we have a double standard? One standard for relatively small, easily identifiable groups such as piloté and schl bus drivers and a lesser standard for ourselves, our family, friends and society as a whole? It certainly appears so. Whose fault is this and what can be done? In recent years governments have strengthened impaired driving legislation and increased the penalties upon conviction. The police have also strengthened and extended their enforcement programs. These efforts have contributed to the reduction in the percentage of impaired fatally irjured drivers from 52 per cent in 1981 to 44.6 per cent in 1986. Certainly we are moving in the right direction, but can we really boast to the civilized world that "in Canada ONLY 44.6 per cent of fatally injured drivers are impaired?" Accidents cannot simply be legislated or enforced away. Public awareness campaigns have also had a strong positive impact. I have organized several and continue to provide advice on how to make them work more effectively. However, I can't help but wonder if anyone would seriously suggest erecting a poster in the airline pilota' lounge with the message 'Don't Drink and Fly.' All of these programs and activities must continue and should be expanded whenever possible. But the real solution, indeed the only solution, ta the impaired driving problem is for you and I, our family, our friends and all other motorists to accept the personal responsibilities - -~ - ~ ~ Wl 1~4~ ~L%~ha~j Toyota receives CAA Award see p.14 WH, TBY FREE PRESS