Whitby Free Press, Wednesday, September 21,1994 , Page 19 IInflation stopped but cost, of driving rises Owning and operating a car cosas the average driver $7,403, an increase of $372 over last year. Figures released recently by the Canadian Automobile Association <OAA) show that there were higher coets in almost every category, including maintenance, fuel, insurance and depreciation Éoets. - Assuming that 24,000 kilomnetres are driven per year, ................ ....................... ï à i!,.ý i:"ý i iki i iki iki: ý:::i ii i i 1 !ký i i i ili Hv dëd ................ ........ . ...................... .. ..... .. .. .. .. ...... By Shane Myatt/Nancy Mfiskin of The Rehab Centre Most individuals who have suffered from car accidents experience the common physical complaints associated with this incident. Those complainte are the stiffness and trauma associated te the neck and shoulder girdie, often called whiplash, as well as numerous other pain sites tliat may involve the mid-lower back, knees and ankles. Reactions cf victime te accidents may include other responses which are beyond their control such as nausea, profuse sweating, need for the washrom, crying, chest pains, hyperventilation and muscle tremors. Increased heart rate and blood pressure are aIso common physical reactions. Perception. is often distorted so that heang can seem muffled, tixne can be slowed up or seem te paso very quickly. Combinfingthe. physiological effecte of nhe injury with the post-traumatic psychological effects will lead to a stress reaction that will draznatically increase muscle tension, decrease appetitite, increase the avoidance cf activity and facilitate a change in appearance. The end result from a psychological perspective will be an, increase in stress, loss of control, feeling of helplessness, depresson and guiît which culiinate in pain behaviours. The simplest activities of daily living become a struggle and eventually the inability te perflormn these simple activities becomes a source of stress. Phobic reac tions of the victim to driving or comrnuting make trips from or leaving the home seem unbèarable. Thus the accident victim feels confined and tormented. The motor vehicle accident victim bas difficulty fitting the traditonal inedical mrodel as the injuries in their compleity dictate the need for a holistic approach to treatment. The downward spiral of stress-induced syndromes impacting on the physiological symptorne cf the injury lead te a greater and greater dependence on medication and the need for a comprehensive approach 'te treatinent. Treatment and rehabilitation can be directed at both physiological and psychological components cf the victim's symptoms. Regardless cf the exact makeup cf the rehab program, the key ie te work together in a coordinated. manner to address the needs o f the individual suffering from the accident. The holistic apprcach should involve some sort cf support counselling.* Coverage for this multi-disciplinary approach' to treatnient bas been legislated by the Ontario government to, be included under the varicus subsections cf the Insurance Act. "The insurer will pay with respect te each insured person Who sustainis physical, psychological or mental injury as a result cf ail reasonable expenses resulting ftrm the accident." Recognizing the distinct needs cf the motor vehicle accident victim, new legislation allows for an effective comprehensive hoistic treatmnent approach te be directed at the individual te ensure the best and mast reasonable rehabilitation program. each kilometre costs 30.8 cents, up from 29.3 cents last year. The OAA Car Coots 1994-1995 data ie based on a 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier RS with a 2.2-litre, four cylinder engine, which is driven 24,000 kilometres a year. A four-door sedan, the Cavalier is equipped with automnatie transmission, power steering, power disc brakes, AM-FM stereo, a rear window defogger, engine block heater and heavy duty battery. The Car Costs brochure also ranka the 10 provinces and the Yukon. For the fifth year in a row, car costs are highest in Quebec, and for the eighth year in a row are lowest in Alberta. Last year, Ontario moved from fourth- to second-highest and remains that way in 1994. 1994-1995 Car Coste, includes figures for both operating and ownership caste. Operating cos are those which are 'rectly related to the number of kilometres driven and include gas and oul, 5.59 cents*per kilometre, maintenance 1.95 cents and tire wear .86 cents, for a total of 8.40 cents per ilometre. Ownership costs change littie with the amount driven. They include insurance $1,102, per year; snow tires, $61 per year; licence and registration fees, $105 per year; depreciatiofl, $3,287 per year and finance expenses, $831 per year. Average ownership costs total $5,386. 1994 INTREPI.D SAY "HELLO" TO A GOOD BUY S1OR A GOOD LEASE!.