Ontario Community Newspapers

Whitby Free Press, 30 Aug 1989, p. 25

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W=JTY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 30,1989, PAGE 25 Zieba-rt moves DRI VING;M, SAFELY with RANDY RANDY McLEAN 13 A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER WHO SPECIALIZES IN TRAFFIC SAFETY. Wr. McLean has reviewed thousands of individuai motor vehicle accident reports and his close worklng relattonshlps with police agencies, governments, safety assodations, lndustry and the public, have given hlm a tria overview of trafflo safety issues, problemns and solutions ln Canada. REMEMBER WHATEHAPPENlS TO LEMMINGS Maldng a eft turn at an intersection ie a very common driving manoeuvre. It is such a common event that we often forget how potentially dangerous it can be. Why ie this common man oeuvre dangerous? While completing this manoeuvre we turn our car broàdside across the path of one or more lanes of oncomning traffie. Other than the roof of Our car, the sides are the most vulnerable part of the Nehicle. The front and rear ends both have energy absorbing crushable material to protect us in a collision. By comparison, the door frame offers relatively littie protection in side impact accidents. Oncoming vehicles weighing several thousand pounds and travelling at or possibly above the posted speed limit toward our exposed weak side are an obvious danger te us and our passengers. But we are not the only ones at risk! Pedestrians are often -the innocent victime of poorly executed left turn manoeuvres. Coneider the following, not so uncomnmon, situation. You see a short gap in the opposing traffic flow and start te make a left turn only to find your way blocked by a pedestrian crossing the road. You are also aware than an oncoming vehicle je approaching quickly. Ohoice #1: Too frightened te stand still, you acclerate out of the path of the approaching vehicle and hope the pedestrian can get out of your way in time. Choice #2: Too frightened te move, you allow the pedestrian te, cross -and hope the approaching vehicle can stop in time. There is no good choice, for you or the pedestrian. In Choice #1 you risk deliberately hitting the pedestrian. In Choice #2, if the approaching vehicle strikes your car, you will élide or spin uncontrollably through the intersection. Pedestrians in the crosswalk and even some standing on the sidewalk have been struck and injured or killed by secondary impacts from out- of-control vehicles. Either way bath you and the pedestrian may lose. A simlar situation occurs when one motorist tries te make advantage of a very short gap in opposing trafB c by tailgating another vehicle through a left turn manoeuvre. If the first vehicle cornes te an abrupt hait -- te, allow a pedestrian to cross, look for a parking space, read a street name sign, or any other reason-- the second vehicle will be left stranded in the intersection, with its broadside exposed, its forward advance blocked and oncoming traffic approaching quickly. He or she may feel like a lemming that has just stepped over the edge of a ciff. What to, look for Most of these accidents occur either because we did not pay enough attention or only paid attention te some aspects of the turning manoeuvre. Intersections are complex envirornm1ents! Before tung left, check the trafflc signal indication, look for gaps in opposing traffic, watch for turning vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians and anything else that niight obstruct your turn. The golden rule in malcing a left turn je: Neyer begin te turm until youre certain that the entire manoeuvre can be compelted without stepping. Remember, when you make a left turn the widest and one of the weakest parts of your vehicle is exposed te oncoming traffic. The les time you are exposed, the safer you are. Don't rely on a pedestrian te speed up or another moterist te, slow down for your own safety. You may lie lucky, but then again- you may not. Drive safely!. Ziebart, pioneers in vehicle rust protection~ and 'Car Improvement Speialistg,' ha.- moved its Whitby location but not very far. 'We like the neighborhood,' says owner Jim Vanderwater," but needed a larger building in order to, better serve our customers. The new Ziebart centre is located in Whitby at 1501 Hopkins. St. and boaste 5,100 sq. ft. It je juet two blocks down the street from its prviu location at 440 Hopkinfs wic ad 3,20C sq. f Vanderwater has completely renovated the interior and exterior of the new building, modeling it after the recommended Ziebart decor prograni. "Ziebart has been in the Durhami area since 1967 and I've been in the business since 1983," he says. 'You can see by our showroom that Ziebart has been continously expanding its produet limes." Zieb4lrt products include its rust protection, paint protection, fabric protection, sound deadener, sun-roofs, window tint, and truck and van accessories. a Vanderwaterrecently received protection from Ziebart Corporation. Ziebart field personnel conduct unannounced quality as surance visite and then- rate the Ziebart dealer on customer, service and technical expertise.' Whitby scored 96 per cent. August summer hours are 8 a.m., - 5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Beginning in the fail, the Ziebart Centre will be open 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. - 4 -p.m. on Saturday. An offic,.iai grand opening will be held in September. Ziebart has been improving cars, trucks and vans for nearly three decades. The world-wide company now has 600 locations in 35 countries. 1 -FGODIC AIA A60&70Sg IS - - -- - - - - ------ - -- - - - i. - - -- - -- -- -- - - - --- - - V lUL iq uur I-rudefetkt Wirondewetsit GIFT CERTIFICATES e ug Windsth u Many moretrc&va accessories *SunroofsPrca *Winter fronts boa Cap or 9n *Truck caps tth 1670 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa *BxinrS4PeSc IMon.-Wed. 9- 6 Running boards Thurs. & FnI. 9-9 Imm e Tool boxes M Saurda 103 - we Step bumpers SauIa 1- a Many more truck & van accessories ILL'&M! - -dm - -@ * I I I I I I I I I M <lu rip,:, ?fany I Iflg Coupon I I I I I I ---- - ~~Mm M

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