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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-07-14, Page 18PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 1999. Steering new drivers in right direction By M. H. Parnu Young people make up only five per cent of the driving population, yet they account for 10 per cent of traffic fatalities. When your teenager hops behind the wheel for the first time, as a parent, you're probably as nervous as they are excited. Education is the key to helping your young driver get off on the right foot. "Many young drivers never think an accident will happen to them. But the reality is that each year, one in seven licensed drivers in North America will have an accident, and one in about 3,000 will be killed," said Deb Blewett, an auto specialist. "The way to reduce these numbers is to teach new drivers how to drive safely. Anyone can learn to drive, but not everyone learns to drive safely." There are ways to decrease the odds of your child becoming a driving statistic. Help them choose a driver education course: Investigate driving schools Tips protect drivers, vehicles Many people who live in our area feel we live in a rural area and don't practice safety. They say crime only happens in the big city, not our community. Car doors are left unlocked, windows down and even leave their vehicle running when they run into stores or for that important coffee. Statistics show that nine out of every ten vehicles are left unlocked. Items are then stolen out of these vehicles victimizing the careless owner, say Huron OPP. The following suggestions won't eliminate motor vehicle thefts or thefts from your car entirely, but it will go a long way in helping to Pinery Park marks 40th 1999 marks the 40th anniversary of Pinery Park as well as the 10th anniversary of its “Friends” organization. Many special activities have been planned to celebrate this occasion on the weekend of July 16 - 18. The celebrations begin at 9 p.m. on Friday at the Outdoor Theatre with a slide presentation called “Staying Alive (Animal Defences)”. The speaker, Mr. Runtz is a naturalist, biologist, guide, teacher, consultant and author. His books include Algonquin Seasons, Moose Country and Wild Things. The event continues Saturday morning at 10 a.m. with a musical presentation created just for Pinery by singer songwriter David Archibald. A slide presentation by Shirley Purdy showcasing 10 years of The Friends of Pinery Park’s Or maybe you couldn't speak clearly. Or your vision was blurred. That's what it's like to live with multiple sclerosis. But with your help, we can connect with a cure. 1-800-268-7582 Multiple Sclerosis Soclaty of Canada What if ZS -'“Walk? thoroughly before choosing one. Learning defensive driving techniques from a reputable source is one of the best ways to decrease the chance of an accident. Take them for practice driving sessions in various weather conditions: If your teen learns to drive when the roads are dry, they may need assistance when driving on icy roads for the first time. Accompany them for a drive during bad weather, or sign them up for a registered driving course which specifically addresses handling a vehicle on snow or rain covered roads. Ask them to leave a note outlining the route they'll be taking and an approximate time of when they'll be home: If your teen doesn't return home, and you have a map of their route, then you can easily retrace where they have gone. If the car has broken down, you'll know where to find them. discourage thieves, OPP say. • Keep your vehicle locked at all times. • Never leave your keys in an unattended vehicle, even when running a quick errand. • Always roll up the windows tightly. • If possible, never leave your keys in the car when it is in a parking lot. • Don't hide spare keys, they can be found. • Keep vehicle and house keys on a separate key ring. • Install a locking type gas cap. • If you have a garage, use it. Lock the vehicle and the garage. occurs at 11 a.m. at the Visitor Centre. The Savanna Festival, which also honours the Canada wide Parks Day begins at 1 p.m. Meet at the park store area for games and prizes, face painting, a dunk tank activity and a chance to paddle in a Voyageur Canoe. At 9:30 p.m. the cast of Pinery’s popular Rum and Spirits program will perform at the Outdoor Theatre. A rum runner, mill owner, surveyor, and 1920’s bathing beauty are just a few of the ghosts that will be brought to life. On Sunday, the day begins with a hike to discover Pinery’s past. Join naturalist, Terry Crabe on the Heritage Trail at 9 a.m. Afterwards, see “Owls Alive” at the Visitor Centre during a presentation by Ross Snider, from the Tamarack Warn them about the illegality and dangers of drinking and driving: Even if you think they've heard it all before, it's wise to remind your teen not to drink and drive. Impaired driving is still the largest single criminal cause of death and injury on Canadian highways. And according to >, statistics, although young drivers are less likely to drive drunk than adults, experts report when teens do drive after consuming alcohol, their crash risks are substantially higher. Tell them about the importance of appointing a designated driver and the penalties they will suffer if they are caught drinking and driving from you, the insurance company and the police. Teach them about the consequences of "road rage": Being rude to other drivers could lead to a serious confrontation the young driver doesn't expect. Or, if the young driver is a victim of road rage they should be informed that their best option is to call the • -Do not leave personal identification or credit cards in your vehicle. • Park in well lit areas with pedestrian traffic. • Park your vehicle facing the street. Anyone tampering with it is more likely to be seen. • Keep parcels out of public view. • If you leave your coat or purse anywhere, take your keys with you. • Consider installing anti-theft devices. An awareness of these crime prevention pointers, together with your own common sense, can help make proofing a way of life. Raptor Rehabilitation Centre. Artists from the River Road Gallery will be painting along the Cedar Trail from 12-4 p.m. Take a leisurely hike around the trail and watch these talented people painting scenes of the beach, river and forest. There will also be a display of prints, books and giftware by famous wildlife artist Glen Loates at the Visitor Centre all weekend. Glen is the honourary chairperson of The Friends of Pinery Park. Call 519-243-1521 for more information and alternative rain locations. HURON . SUPERIOR MEMORIALS ESTABLISHED OVER 70 YEARS Serving Blyth and all of Huron County MICHAEL FALCONER Beattie-Falconer Funeral Homes & Tasker Chapel 153 HIGH STREET, CLINTON Bus.: 482-9441 Res.: 482-3664 Evening appointments available police. Don't encourage them to enter into any conflict with other drivers. When driving alone, make sure the young driver always has extra money or an auto club card: If the vehicle does break down and they need to call a tow truck, or they've been drinking and they need to take a cab, they should never be without cash or the resources to get home safely. Your young driver will also need to be aware of the cost of driving, How to Avoid A Drinking Driver Reasons peopie give for accepting a ride with a drinking driver: "How can I refuse a ride - I'm just a kid!" When it comes to risking your life, you have the right to say no to anyone. If it's someone you don't know very well you don't have to explain or justify. Simply say "No thanks - I've got a ride" or "I prefer to walk". If it's a close friend or family member, try to explain your feelings at another time. You may be surprised at how much they respect your feelings. "I didn't have money for a taxi." Always plan how you are getting home before you go out. Carry enough money with you for a taxi or at least for a phone call. You could keep some money just inside the door of your home. 'There was hardly any traffic on the road." Half of all fatal collisions occur between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. Remember, there doesn't have to be another car involved for there to be a serious accident. Also, most accidents occur close to home. '1 don't want to look bad in front of my friends." When you and your friends are making plans for the weekend, the first thing you should decide is who will be the designated driver. "He didn't seem drunk - he'd only had a few beers." You have no way of knowing for sure if someone is impaired. Also, if you have been drinking you are less likely to be able to judge someone else's condition. The best decision is never ride with anyone who has been drinking at all. "I couldn't stop him from driving." Because alcohol affects the brain's ability to reason, you probably won't get very far trying to stop him from driving. Make every possible effort to stop him but if you don't succeed you can't feel guilty or responsible. Don't risk your life by going with him. "My friends drink and drive all the time and they have never had an accident." Just because someone does something risky without serious consequences, doesn't mean it's safe. Anyone who drinks and drives might as well be playing with a loaded gun. The odds are that sooner or later their luck ’will run out. ’My boyfriend got really angry when I refused -1 didn't want to lose him." People often become quite hostile when they are drunk and it might seem easiest to go along with them. But it is your life on the line and you have the right to protect it. The best action is to walk away from the situation. The next day your boyfriend will probably either forget or regret his angry words. If he continues to drink and drive, you may decide he is your ex-boyfriend. Bell - Datema /J Kayla Datema is "tickled pink" to announce M the forthcoming marriage;^ of her parents Leanne Bell and Wilfred Datema The wedding will take place at the Wesley-Willis United Church on Saturday, August 7, 1999. W Open reception to follow at j the Blyth Arena at 9 pm. and one of the main costs to consider is insurance. It's a good idea to shop around, especially since some insurance companies offer special deals for young drivers who are safety-conscious. Another way for young drivers to get a reasonable insurance rate is for them to successfully complete an approved driver training course (including both classroom and practical testing). Most insurance companies will give new drivers a discounted premium if they pass a certified driving course.