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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2010-04-08, Page 18PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN,THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2010.Wildlife collisions most frequent in late spring From St. John's to Victoria, Canada is certainly known for its unique and picturesque landscapes. We are one of a handful of coun- tries where people and wild animals live side by side, usually quite peacefully. However, when those people are behind the wheel of a car, that relationship gets a bit trickier. Wildlife collisions are a real worry for Canadian drivers, particu- larly between May and June, when wildlife collisions are most fre- quent. The most costly result of these collisions is injury or even death of both the wildlife and the driver. They’re more common than you’d think – a report from Transport Canada found that between four to eight large animal vehicle collisions take place every hour in Canada. “Most people, especially those in regions with a mix of urban and rural areas, need to be more aware of animal collisions,” says insurance and claims expert Mauro Convertini from Aviva Canada. “It’s important that drivers know the risks and act responsibly behind the wheel to try to prevent these accidents.” Convertini offers these tips to reduce your chances of being involved in a wildlife collision: •Read the signs and watch the road: Those yellow signs with the prancing deer are erected to warn drivers to slow down and be more aware, especially at night. •Stay in control: Never swerve abruptly – hitting a tree or moving into oncoming traffic can result in significant more harm than hitting the animal. Brake firmly if an ani- mal is standing on, or crossing, the road. •React: If you can’t avoid striking the large animal, be ready to duck inside your car. Big animals – well in access of 100 kilos can come through your windshield and cause severe injuries. •Control your travel times: If you can, avoid driving during twilight or sunrise, when collisions are more common. Chamney Auto Repair Sales & Service 38897 Blyth Rd., R.R. #1, Auburn 519-526-7283 or 519-440-7800 Proprietor ~ Eldon Chamney Spring thaws pose pothole problems They seem to pop up by magic almost overnight. Spring temperatures warm the cold pavement, melting and evapo- rating any ice. This creates air pockets that can eventually cause the pavement to break up. A winter of heavy snow or rain and several freeze-thaw cycles can mean a big pothole season ahead. Most drivers are familiar with the unexpected jolt associated with run- ning over a pothole. This can result in some costly repairs including the potential of damage to a vehicle’s suspension components. As well, hitting even one especially severe pothole could alter the alignment of a wheel and cause uneven tire wear. Uneven tire wear means the tire will need to be replaced sooner than nec- essary. Car Care Canada offers these tips to help protect vehicles against a pothole encounter: • Maintain full air pressure in all tires to provide as much cushion as possible between the pothole and the rim of the tire. • Watch for potholes by leaving plenty of space between your vehi- cle and the one in front of you. Before swerving around a pothole, be sure to check surrounding traffic. • If you can’t avoid a pothole - at least slow down! Hitting a pothole at high speed increases the chance of damage to tires, wheels, shocks, struts or springs. • When driving over a pothole- filled road, hold the steering wheel firmly to avoid losing control. • Do not brake when directly over a pothole. Applying the brakes caus- es the car’s weight to shift to the front of the wheel and can increase damage from the impact. • A broken shock or strut from a pothole encounter could alter the steering and handling of a vehicle and create dangers when driving at high speeds or in tight corners. Broken suspension components should be repaired immediately. 35587 Huron Road, RR #6, Goderich 519-524-2501 or 1-866-426-9502 We accept • Free Estimates • Front Wheel Drives • 4x4 Service • Domestic and Imports • Clutch and Differential Repairs • Specializing in Automatic and Computer Controlled Transmissions • 1 Year Warranty on rebuilt Transmissions Huron Transmission & Rust Proofing We’ve all been overtaken by speed demons trying to make it through the next light without stopping. They pick up the pace, put the pedal to the metal and screech out in front hoping to gain that minute or two advantage. Sometimes, for all their speeding, those same drivers arrive at the light at the same time as we do. Have you ever wondered how much fuel they burn and how much time they really save? According to Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), speeding and aggressive driving burns excessive fuel, wastes money and does not save a significant amount of time. If someone told you that you could save two minutes of time by burning up to 39 per cent more fuel would you do it? Would it be worth it? With gasoline prices skyrocketing in many Canadian cities, and with growing concerns for the environment, does it really make sense to speed and drive aggressively? Save yourself some money and slow down. You can find more money-saving driving tips at www.vehicles.nrcan.gc.ca. Heavy pedal-foot leads to high prices at the pumps