Program’

Ss cost

offset by reduction
im accident claims

From page 42

of crashes, it’s (November) the
worst time of the year,’’ he added.
“Hopefully, we'll see a connec-
tion; when people see the weather
conditions deteriorate, they will be
even. more cautious, or perhaps
find alternative transportiation.

Based on statistics accumulated
during the past 60 months. ICBC
estimates that 941 — or 49.5 per
day — North Shore residents will
be involved in car accidents during
that November period.

The figures predict that 498
North Vancouver District
residents, 239 West Vancouver
District residents and 204 North
Vancouver City residents will be
involved in accidents over the
19-day period.

The Community Crash
Challenge kicked off last Friday
with white-masked, black-clad
North Shore secondary students
standing ‘‘dramatically dead’’ at
busy, rush-hour traffic spots with
placards urging safe driving prac-
tices,

Hot spots like Westview and
Taylor Way at the Upper Levels
Highway, Mountain Highway, and
Grand Boulevard were targets of
the Dramatically Dead strategy.

Traffic Safety secondary school
liaison officer Mike McLenaghen
said the students symbolized the
deaths that occur because of
drinking and driving, not wearing
seat belts and speeding.

The program has communities
within five provincial regions
competing against cach other to
come up with the greatest reduc:
tion in accident involvements in
relation to their statistically
predicted numbers.

Regional winners of the
challenge win community-specific
prizes, as well as bragging rights.

Birch said the prizes will be
tangible and contextual and ‘will
recognize the comraunity as being
quite successful in this particular
venture.’’

But more important, added
Birch, is people recognizing “that
maybe not being involved in a
crash is not such a bad thing.”

While there is no specific target,
McLenaghen said that a 10%
reduction in accidents would be
significant.

Birch said that 1CBC’s prelimi-
nary research has shown that any
cost incurred by the company by
putting on the program would be
offset by insurance claims that are
avoided.

“The whole focus of the com-
pany is on loss prevention, both in
terms of how they drive and how
they look after their vehicles,’’ he
added. ‘‘Anytime you can get
people to focus on how they drive
and perhaps maybe think a little
bit about the way in which they
Operate their vehicle, it has
benefits — if not immediate, cer-
tainly down the road,””

BCAA brochure takes
focus away from alcohol

THE BRITISH Columbia
Automobile Association (BCAA)
reminds you to be ‘First a Friend,
Then a Host’’ this holiday season,

“Accident statistics for British
Columbia show that about une in
three traffic fatalities are
alcohol-related. You can help
reduce the tragedies on our high-
ways by being a responsible host,”’
says BCAA public affairs officer
Marian Zadra.

The campaign First a Fricnd,
Then a Host provides holiday
hosts with helpful suggestions on
how to hold a responsible party.

A brochure includes recipes. for

-non-alcoholic beverages and

high-caloric foods that help slow
down alcohol absorption, and
ideas on how to take the focus
away from alcohol.

Remember to be first a friend
— not just an accommodating
host. You could help prevent an
alcohol-related accident.

First a Friend, Then a Host
brochures are available free of
charge. Pick one up at the BCAA
service centre, Park Royal Centre,
south mall.

De Ville makes enormous strides

From page 39

4.6-litre V8 engine. The new-
generation 270-horsepower,
dual-overhead-cain 4.6-litre V8 is
standard in the Concours, while
the base De Ville retains last
year’s 200-horsepower 4.9-litre
pushrod V8 engine.

The De Ville Concours is not
intended to be a performance lux-
ury car; however, acceleration
with this 270-horsepower engine is
nothing short of startling for such
a big car.

in addition, the Concours’
handling is firmer than previous
De Villes, with considerably less
body lean. Cadille **speed-
sensitive’’ suspension adjusts
shock absorber rates with the
speed of the car, providing firmer
handling at higher speeds.

The ride, while glassy smooth
over most surfaces, does tend to

ee

pick up small bumps in the road
surface,

For improved safety in poor
weather, four-wheel dise brakes
with an anti-lock system and
full-range traction control are
standard equipment on all De
Villes,

Despite the Concours” more
powerful engine and heavier curb
weight, fuel consumption is
slightly better than with the 4.9-
litre engine, averaging 11.6 litres
per 100 kilometres (26 mpg), ac-
cording to Transport Canada.

While previous Cadillacs lacked
the expensive quality look of
European luxury cars, the newest
De Ville has made enormous
strides in chis area. And atan
as-tested price of $53,000, the De
Ville Concours is considerably
cheaper than many of its luxury
competitors.

89-90 PONTIAC
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Automatic, very eco-
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warranty. Many colors
to choose from, but
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