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sun i nt, i i ge A De -_ 6 - PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, March 10, 1992 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" The Port Perry Star 188 MARY STREET - PORT PERRY, ONTARIO - LoL 187 PHONE 985-7383 FAX 985-3708 The Port Perry Star is authorized as second class mail by the Post Office Department, Ottawa, for cash payment of postage. Second Class Mail Registration Number 0265 Subscription Rate: 1Yeoar-$32.10 6Months-$18.72 Forelgn-$90.95 indudes $2.10GST includes $1.22GST includes $5.95GST EDITORIAL Publisher - J. Peter Hvidsten News Editor - Scott Anderson Features Editor - Julia Dempsey Sports Co-ordinator - Kelly Lown ADVERTISING Advertising Manager - Anna Jackman Advertising Sales - Jackie Metz Production - Pamela Hickey, Barbara Bell BUSINESS OFFICE Office Manager - Gayle Stapley Accounting - Judy Ashby Billing Department - Louise Hope PRODUCTION Annabell Harrison, Trudy Empringham Robert Taylor, Marlene Moore oN TN 2 [I = Member of the Retail Sales - Kathy Dudley, Lynda Ruhl Canadian Community Newspaper Association Ontario Community Newspaper Association Published every Tuesday by the Port Perry Star Co. Lid. Port Perry, Ontario * GST included in price Editorial Comment Safer Driving A close look at traffic fatalities reveals some startling sta- tistics. In 1989, approximately 1,200 Canadians aged 15 to 24 years of age were killed in traffic accidents. Further statistics show that in the 15 to 19 age group more than 40 per cent of the deaths were as a result of traffic accidents. In 1987, 46 per cent of the deaths among males and 40 per cent of deaths among females resulted from traffic accidents. Although vehicle accidents are among one of the major causes of death and injury for young people, the problem is not just confined to young drivers. A new trend is developing when it comes to the experi- ence of drivers. In 1988, approximately 46 per cent of the new drivers were over the age of 20. This is up from the figure in 1983 when only 34 per cent of the new drivers in Ontario were over the age of 20. In an attempt to stem the increase in driver-related acci- dents, the Insurance Bureau of Canada has begun an Ontario- wide campaign calling for the implementation of graduated li- censing. The IBC claims that graduated licensing reduces acci- dents by allowing new drivers to gain essential driving experi- ence under less risky conditions. It also argues that graduated licensing is a step-by-step way for new drivers of any age to get experience in traffic. Under the proposed system a number of limits would be imposed: - supervision by a licensed adult; - a night driving curfew; - zero blood-alcohol content; - driving only on roads with posted speed limits of 90 km/ hour or less; - an 18-month minimum period of accident- and convic- tion-free driving to graduate to an unrestricted license upon completion of a recognized driver training course. The graduated licensing scheme allows drivers to gain es- sential experience under less risky circumstances. It does not discriminate against any certain age groups, but places restric- tions on all new drivers. This scheme is definitely something that should be imple- mented in Ontario as it has a proven track record. New Zea- land, which implemented the system in 1987, saw the number of fatalities among 15-17 year-olds drop significantly. In the first two years of the program, fatalities dropped by 25 per cent, while the number of injury-producing accidents involving young drivers declined by 40 per cent. Driving is a skill based on confidence and practice, and as the old maxim goes "practice makes perfect." But with all skills we also develop bad habits. The longer we drive, the more bad habits we develop. Approximately 85 per cent of all motor vehicle accidents are caused by human error. According to Canadian Motor Vehicle Traffic Accident Sta- tistics, on average a driver makes 200 observations per mile, 20 decisions per mile, one error every two miles. This results in one near-collision every 500 miles, one collision every 61,000, a personal injury to an individual every 430,000 miles and a fatal accident every 16 million miles. Further statistics show that every year, more than 1,200 people are killed on Ontario roads, another 120,000 people are injured. Every four- and-a-half minutes somebody is injured and every seven hours someone is killed. Statistics show that 85 per cent of the accidents are caused by human error. In order to reduce or prevent this risk of human carnage every time we get behind the wheel of an automobile, we must take measures to reduce the risk. Although graduated licens- ing is a good way to start the newer drivers of all ages on the roads and ease them into the driving scenario, it does nothing for the older experienced drivers. And while the program should be implemented, there is also a need for a semi- regular evaluation of all drivers. Both a written and driving test should be completed every five years to ensure that those driving on the roads are safe drivers. Those that pass the test could continue to drive, while those that fail should be required to take additional courses to correct the problems. This way no matter what age, all drivers would be safer. 3 5 rea PCR -- hs few More LEGAL PAYS OF cE Fist q Geel 1's HARD A GeLievE, ONL, A LEFT / Random Jottings NEW CLUB FORMING When a group radiates a positive attitude, exuberance and enthusiasm there is little doubt they have a winning combination. These are the qualities a group of Brooklin men brought to Port Perry Saturday morning for a breakfast meeting at the Gate Restaurant. The five young men, all members of the Optimist Club of Brooklin were in town in an attempt to form an Optimist Club in this community. When I received a call last week inviting me to attend an 8:30 a.m. breakfast meeting, my first thought was "oh no, another service club." But those thoughts quickly changed last week as President Brian Wick outlined the challenges and goals the Optimist Club faces. Working with youth is the focus of the their work, and there was little doubt in my mind that their efforts would be invaluable in this community. Anyone interested in working with youth, or finding out more about the Optimist Club would be welcomed with open arms next Saturday morning at their next meeting. See article elsewhere in this issue for details. MIXED REACTION Last week, the Star carried a cartoon on its cditorial page, depicting two autoworkers in the GM parking lot discussing car sales and the recent announcement of a plant closure in St. Catharines. The two workers were shown getting out of their vehicles, a Honda and and Toyota. As expected, the cartoon received mixed reaction from our readers. Some, who work at GM, felt the cartoon was unfair to the workers and was not an accurate portrayal of vehicles in the GM parking lot. He said there are a number of Fords and Chrysler, but not many Japanese cars . Two of those offended have written letters to the editor which can be seen in this issue. But all the comments were not negative. One caller phoned enthusiastically exclaiming "that was a great cartoon on your editorial page this week." The Letters To The Editor space in the Port Perry Star is your space, and whatever your opinion on any subject matter, we appreciate hearing from you. Whether it's an editorial cartoon, a column, an editorial or a letter to the editor, everyone is entitled to express their opinion. Star cartoonist Tim Dolighan, who recently won an award for his cartooning, was simply suggesting that part of the problem with the auto industry in Canada today is due to the large number of Japanese autos being purchased throughout the country. He picked the GM parking lot for his satirical point of view, but it could just as easily been a parking lot at-a shopping mall, rush hour on the 401, or cars parked along Queen St. in Port Perry. As we said earlier, the reaction was mixed, but thankfully there was reaction. Now wouldn't it be nice if that reaction translated into a positive action to "buy Canadian." If it did, maybe we could prevent more plant, store and office closings and bring and end to this costly recession. AND FINALLY In our letters to the editor this week you will find a letter from an anonymous writer. It is normally our policy that a letter must be signed, and on only a couple of occasions in my years at the Star have we made an exception to this rule. We made an exception this week as the writer felt he may be the recipient of retaliation if his/her name was used. After careful consideration, we agreed, and agreed to withhold the name. As you will read, a township resident dumped their garbage in another area of the township, only to be found and investigated by our letter writer. The dumping of garbage on sideroads throughout the township has become a major problem during the past year. Possibly the publication of this letter will embarrass at least one resident into disposing of their garbage properly in the future.