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Home My WebLink AboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-10-07, Page 6Page 6 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, October 7, 2009 www.goderichsignalstar.com Proprietor and published by Boit es Publishers, P.O. Box 220, 12(' Huckins Street, Goderich, Ontario N7A 486 EDITORIAL Ban on hand-helds only a start to road safety There is nothing more important when driving than focusing on the task at hand and that especially includes not having distracting conversations with people who are not sharing the vehicle space with the driver. Finally, Transport Minister Jini Bradley announced that the province's hands- free legislation will come into effect Oct. 26. Naturally, there will be a 'grace' or `educational' period until Feb. 1, 2010 during which police will issue only warnings to drivers seen talking on their hand-held cell phones, or texting or watching movies on their opened laptops or DVI) players or scrolling through messages on thein BlackBerrys and iPods. While police will educate the public and issue warnings through the grace period, in February, warnings will tum into fines of up to $500 although the amount of a fine for first-time offenders is gong to be considerably less. The law to amend the Highway Traffic Act was passed in the spring but the enforcement dates have just been released as fine-tuning was required. Banning the use of cell phones and electronic devices while driving is sensible and overdue legislation. We have all witnessed drivers behind the wheel, trying to manoeuvre around a busy corner with one hand on the steering wheel while holding a cell phone in the other hand. It's unnerving. It's distracting and it obviously means that drivers are oblivious to what's transpiring on the roadway. The use of cell phones means that one of the operator's hands is off the steer- ing wheel but, more importantly, it's the distraction of the conversation and attention that has led to thousands of accidents and many unnecessary deaths. The law still leaves people with the option of talking on hands-free devices while driving. In Quebec, legislators are favoring a total ban on phone conversa- tions while driving. Hands-free conversations will eliminate part of the distraction but it won't solve the problem. If we get people to stop texting or fumbling to dial numbers on small keypads, that will be a safe and common sense start to saving lives and protecting people. But the only way the law will be effective, is for people to take heed and to quit talking to people outside the vehicle while driving. Make sure you are alert to watch for the other idiots who occupy the road. D.S. Give thanks for life's simple pleasures Every Thanksgiving gives us the opportunity to take an introspective look at our lives and focus on the things that are truly meaningful and important to us. We have so much to be thankful for in Canada and Goderich. And every Thanksgiving people should take a deep breath and recognize their good fortune for the love of family and friends. Many of us enjoy good health, education, jobs and opportunity. True, many struggle to provide the necessities, but we must be clear about the abundance of our life and the opportunity that exists for all to enjoy. There is much in our lives that bring us unconditional joy and love and so much for which we can be truly grateful. Never lose sight of the love and support of family and friends and the simple joys and opportunities that surround us everyday in our community. Identify and enjoy all the simple pleasures that life has to offer. Happy Thanksgiving! DS Sifto anniversary celebration to take place in coming year To the Editor; Several months ago we announced that God- erich Mine was in the planning stages of mak- Letters opinion ing our 50th anniversary a memorable one for community that takes such pride in their his - both our employees and the community. tory. This project is still being -developed and However, following the recent loss of our will coincide with the 50th celebrations next friend and colleague Murray Nesbitt, we have year. decided to postpone this event. A new date has Thank you all once again for your support. not yet been set for 2010. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all your readers and the community for sending us pictures and news clipping to cre- ate a memorable CD of Goderich Mine these past 50 years and feel very fortunate to have a The Goderich Signal -Star, published every Wednesday at Goderich, Ontario is one of The Signal -Star Publishing Group of Community Newspapers, a division of Bowes Publishers. The Goderich Signal,Star shall not be liable for failure to palish an ad for typographical, errors in publication except to the extent of the cosi of that Onion of the ad in which the error occurred. The (Jodeiich Stoat -Star reserves the right to reject' or edit ahy advertisement. The Goderich Signa l -Star is a proud member of the Canadian Carrinurhity New a* Aisociation (CCNA) and The _Ontario Community Niers Association (OCNA). Editorial Deadlines... All Advertising Deadlines... Entertainment, Births, Deaths, In Memoriams... Classifieds... Display Advertising... Friday at 2 pm Friday at 2 pm Telephone Fax.... Publisher... Reporters... 519-524-2614 519-524-5145 Dave Sykes Dominique Milburn Gerard Creces Denny Scott • Classifieds & Subscription... Accounting... Office Manager... Display Sales... Advertising Manager... Judy Austin Rhonda Butt Mary Johnston Janet Shrier Lisa McLaren Keith Moreland Steve Not -they Kevin Shrier Email... gssnews@bowesnet.com,gsssports@bowesnet.com gssads@bowesnet.com, goderichads@bowesnet.com website... www.goderichsignalstar. com Rowland Howe Mine Manager Sifto, Goderich Mine PUBLICATIONS Ma AGREEMENT No. 40064683 PAP REcastsmoN No. 7602 R 'Mo uYERABLE CAH*oiAN ADDRESSES To: Circulation Dept., 120 liadtins St., P.O. Box 120, Goderich, ON, NTA 486 (519) 5242614 EMAIL: gs nows.boweenet.Com We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Carrnackativa htheP d icaiionsAmistanoePncam(PAP),towardom,rall- ing costs. Cha ocna