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www.haltonplace.com for information The Canadian Country Classic 2008 Proud to fundraise for SickKids Foundation and CAShh Weekend activities August 23-24 & 30-31, 2008 Hunter and Jumper Tournaments Childrens Village Pony Rides Food and Beverage Special: Teddy Bear Picnic Sunday August 24 ,11:00am-1:00p Hannah Montana Party Sunday August 31, 11:00am-1:00p Bring your lawn chair and watch the horse show! Show goes on rain or shine. FEATURING: $40,00 0.00 FEI C SI** G rand P rix Sunda y, Aug ust 31 Machteld Billen aboard Phoenix L. Photo by Ben Radvanyi Come for the Show, Stay for the fun! Week One August 20-24 $20,000 Grand Prix $30,000 Jumper Stake Classes Rated & non rated hunter divisions Week Two August 27-31 $50,000 FEI CSI** Grand Prix $27,000 Jumper Stake Classes Rated & non rated hunter divisio Week Three September $40,000 Grand Prix $35,000 Jumper Stake Classes Rated & non rated hunter divisio 45 MOUNTAINVIEW ROAD N., GEORGETOWN L7G 4J7 e-mail: hassellsauto@bellnet.ca 905-877-7958 DAVES PICK OF THE WEEK 2005 MONTANA Visit us at our new website www.hassellautomotive.com $10,500.00 One Owner off Lease Clean Mint Shape Acton/Georgetown, Friday, August 22, 2008 7 The blaring automobile horn from behind startled me during my morning drive to work. You know how it is you immediately check your mirrors to see if you did something wrong. But I was in the clear, and all that I saw was a solitary minivan, following close behind me. The van driver changed lanes and by the time I stopped beside her at the next light, I saw the problem. The woman at the wheel had a bunch of papers in front of her, and a pen in her hand. She was filling out some forms, using the steering wheel as a desk all while driving. I sus- pect she pushed down too hard on her desk and inadvertently blew the horn. She was an accident waiting to happen. Ive seen distracted drivers before. A few years ago, I witnessed some guy in his BMW typing on his laptop while he was at the wheel. (Would that make his computer a dashtop model?) I recall shaking my head in disbelief back then. And with this more recent horn-blowing faux pas, I figure the lady using her steering wheel desk is certainly a close second. Lets face it, theres not a person on this fair earth who hasnt been distracted while driving, and Im sure using a cell phone while driving is by far the most common offense. With the recent popularity that cell phone text messaging has enjoyed, theres an increased temptation to use that cell phone even more and more, text messaging while driving. A few weeks back, a story in the Toronto Star told how Ontario Transportation Minister Jim Bradley was proposing new legislation to deal with drivers who were preoccupied with elec- tronic distractions while behind the wheel. The story said that sources didnt know if the legislation would include a total ban on using electronics while driving, or a modified ban, allowing some hands-free equipment. A total ban would mean that the use of any electronic device a cell phone, laptop computer or even a GPS would be an offense. Regardless of the outcome, I figure its a pretty safe bet that the time will come when well be restricted from holding onto a cell phone, talking while driving. And Im not sure thats a bad thing. Virtually every police officer on the road today agrees theres been an increase in the number of accidents caused by driver distraction most often from using cell phones. And Im as guilty as the next person when it comes to answering my cell phone while behind the wheel. I do, however, keep the call to a mini- mum, or, if the caller is going to be long-winded, Ill pull over to talk. Personally I cant see a total ban being placed on all equipment it would be unenforceable. Vehicles equipped with GPS units, trucks with tracking equipment or even two-way radios, would all have to be addressed and it would be simply too far-reaching to enforce. You can be sure of one thing, if the new law permits the use of hands-free equipment, every cell phone outlet in Ontario will be lined up with customers wanting to upgrade their old cell phones for ones with Bluetooth capabilities so they can still drive and talk, hands-free. At this point, its a wait-and-see issue, and the outcome will be announced sometime in the fall. Unfortunately, no matter what level of ban is legislated, theres one group that simply cant be addressed that group of drivers which includes the lady with the steering wheel desk. You see, theres one thing in this world that no government can legislate or enforce. Its a little thing called common sense. Legislate common sense? Ted Brown