THE most frequent
vehicle collision is the
rear-ender.

They don’t always result
in major damage, but
whiplash injury is’ not
uncommon.

Damage to vehicles is
often Jess than insurance
deductibles, and some insur-
ers follow a “no crash dam-
age/no claim” policy on
whiplash. Any claim is time
consuming and frustrating,
however.

There are many things
you can da to avaid these
incidents.

When approaching an
intersection, wateh the traffic
lights from half'a block away.

If it’s green when you
first see it, it will probably be
red When you get there, so
there’s not much point in
rushing up to it, only to
brake heavily to stop, (You
weren’t going to run. the
light, were you?)

Instead, maintain a steady
speed or slow slightly to
allow more room between:
you and the vehicle ahead.

If the driver ahead brakes
hard, you don’t have to react
so quickly.

You should anticipate the
light changing now, and not

-. be'surprised by it.

When the amber light
comes on, get your foot onto
the brake immediately, and
vapply it lightiy to get your
own brake fights on —- to
“warn the driver behind and
get him/her to react.

Then, apply more pres-
“sure. to bring you te a

“smooth stop.

‘This’. technique helps
avoid. getting tangled
up with cither the vehicle
ahead or. behind you — or

both! -
"It also avoids wasted gas
and reduces wear and tear on
tires and brakes. .
=: You'can save dollars three
- ways while’ avaiding — the
- potential for a rear-ender.

“.. This. is’ only one of the
tips youll learn in the BC
Safety. Council’s Hazard

» Avoidance: Tactics series of

_ courses,

~ When you come to 2 stop
behind. another vehicle,
don’t crowd up close to it.

“Stop far enough back to

“be able to see where its
rear tires-touch the road sur-_
face. a

oo: This will give you enough

Tailgating, even in slow-moving or stationary traffic, is too cften the cause of minor but expensive fender benders.

room to change lanes and go
around it.

Why? Because sometimes
cars stall or the driver
changes his/her mind about
where they are going (what,
no turn signal?). :

So instead. of trapping
yourself, leave enough room
to get around the blocker.

it will save time and frus-
tration, and prevent bumper
tag when you try to get
around.

When stopped behind
other vehicles at a lighr,
watch the traffic light itself,
not the brake lights of the
vehicle ahead cf you.

Often drivers will “inch
forward” closer to the vehi-
cle ahead of them.

As this process goes on
further back in. the lineup,
the “inches” become “feet.”

At some point a driver
will’ actually release the
brakes enough that the brake

lights go out for a moment.

The driver — behind
him/her may not be paying
attention to the traffic light
and think thar traffic is now
moving.

if you release your own
brakes and move your foot to
the gas pedal you won’t be
able to react fast enough to
stop when the car in front
suddenly stops again.

It’s embarrassing and
expensive when you smack
the car in front of you.

Instead, watch the traffic
lights.

When they turn to green,
watch the cars in front of you
start to move away.

Wait until the car in front
is at least a car jength away
before you release your own
brakes and start to move
ahead.

This way you'll avoid the
bumper tag. |

- B.C. Safety Council &

PERG SS ee

JEEP OWNER

Compiete mechanical & electrical repairs
by factory trained technician
PMPEX AUTO 1166A West 14th Street Tel: 935-6237
- (off Pemberton Ave., entrance at rear)

Visit our web site: werw.impexaute.cen

RE SE Gee Oe cee OO ES SE A ENG

Wolfe Mazda is proud to have ~

served the Burnaby and East
Vancouver community since
1986. We're a family opera-~
tion — and we consider each
and every one of you to be
a part of our extended family.
Over the years, we've
gained a sotid reputation for
our attentive, knowledgeable
sales staff, exciting line-up of
quality Mazda vehicles and our,
competitive prices.

Rea

When you buy an auromohile
from Wolfe Mazda, you can‘.
rést assuced. Not only will -
\ you enjoy the best possible
| sales experience,’ we're
©). known throughout the area
bala for cur excellent after-sales
, service and parts depart-
. mene. We goto greatiengths._
to ensure your satisfaction ©
— and why wouldn’t we -'..
- you're one of the family! ©

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+ NEWS photo Terry Peters