Airbag
decision
praised
by CAA

THE Canadian
Automobile Associanion
(CAA) declared its sup-
port for the majority of
points in the U.S. rul-
ing to permit air bag
on/off switches.

‘The decision allows on /ott
switches only in’ those. situa-
tions When the risk of injury
outweighs the safety advantage
provided by air bags.

“Air bags save lives when
drivers and passengers are
properly — positioned = and
restrained,” said CAA presi-
dent Brian Hunt. “The major-
ity of motorists should never
deactivate their air bays, and
this ruling would ensure that
we do not reduce safety
through unnecessary deactiva-
tion. Soon, we hope nobody
will have to deactivate future
‘smart air bags" that would bet-
ter protect all motorists.”

By opting for on/ott
switches instead of permanent
deactivaion, the U.S. ruling
preserves the safety value of air
bags for most people, while
offering protection for the few
atorisk from) air-bag deploy:
ment. Before switches can be
installed in the United States,
Nrotorists must receive an
authorization letter from the
National Highway Vrattic
Satery Administration
(NHSTA) and must meet at
least one of tour criteria.

The criteria are:

B They are unable to sit 10
inches from the air bag;
#2 They are at risk from air bags
due to a medicat condition:
® They need te transport an
infant in a rear-facing child
restraint, in the trent. sear
because the vehicle has no rear
seat or the rear sear is too small
to accommodsi.: a rear-facing
child restraint:
M1 Thev need to cur; children
ave one through [20 in ure
front seat because the vehicle
has no rear seat, or must carry
more children than can be
accommodated in the rear scat,
or because 2 is necessary
constantly imonitor ao child's
medical condition,
PF oswitches un

operate di bya key
and be equir. w
Hehts to widicate when an air
bag fas heen switthed off.
Yhere is no stipedauen thar atr
bags must retusn to the on
position cach ine the iniien
iy restarted,

CM, a tederation of il
automobile clabs, sees this as a
shortcoming, and will commu
nicate Us to Transport
( sada betore it makes a rul-

for Canada. CM heheves
that vars with air bag on/oft
swiches shouhd be able to start
only aor the dinver has made a
conscious decision to turn the
air bas on oer on Warren,
hyh Ss mtist accompany the cut
off switches te provide ta ind:
cation of the air bags western
or readiness to aay vehicle
ORCUP AAT
dsanabhe at
rhage 4:

The decision ss
wwendtsa dor 2:
ule/ secuon®, Vhont.

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Friday, December 5, 1997 — North Shore News —'49

north shore news

on s-AUTO
aeons
Pye ony

Nercedes takes

Gar of Year titi

THE Mercedes-Benz
ML320 sport utility
vehicle has been named
Car of the Year by the
Automobile Journalists
Association of Canada.

“The Mercedes: Benz
MIL3200 sport utility: vehicle
represents a significant change
of direction for Mercedes
Beny in’ North America in
that ic puts then ina seament
in which it fras never cumpet-
ed betore.” APAC president
Harry Pegy said.

Other award
included:

Best New Family Sedan:

VW Passat
Best New Luxury Sedan:

Audi A6
Best New Luxury Coupe:

winners

93, 94, 95 4RUNNERS-
loaded

89 CHEVY CAVALIER ‘ Gt, tow kit,
_ FOr only

great transportation...

96 PLYMOUTH GRAND vOTAGER: rr,

loaded. like new, fow km

§ figet ratuins. 2 dr. autas Be b
mim cass Speci trom §| 2 98g

90 CELICA GT
IG gfeat shape . .

.. Starting at $20, 888

. ASteal at SR4S8

Mercedes Bens
CPRS20

Best New Sports Sedan:
Audi Ad DST

Best New Sports Coupe:
Acura Integra

Best New Sports Car:
Porsche Boxster

Best New Wagon:
Volvo V-70

Best New Van:
‘Tevota Sienna

Best New Sport Utility:
Mercedes Benz
M320

Best New Pickup:
Mazda B-Series

Best New Design Award:
Porsche Boxster

Best New Technology

Award:
Goodyear Extended
Mobility Tire

NEWS photo Brad Ledwidge

THE Porsche Boxster (above) was chosen for two awards by the Automobile
Journalists Association of Canada — best new sports car and best new design.

91 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE
loades, taw km... Clearout Oniy $

92 PATHFINDER XE

a
§2 COROLLA
V6, runs & iooks great Reduced to $17,988

4 dr, great condition

91 MAZDA 323 H.B.

low km, like new

95 NISSAN 200SX only 21,000 km. nicely

equip., 5 spd. 4,988

91 JEEP CHEROKEE SPORT 4X4
Now Only SE

ra Sa p
95 CHRYSLER INYREPIO fully ty incl.
5 spd., local _ Asteal at S21,908 7

leather. only 28K .. . Reduced te

§2 MAZDA MX6 sp sport coupe, 5 spd. cass.

97 COROLLA 4 di. sedan, amiim cass.
reai Spoiler vA Steal 3 Sil, S38

fieet returns, bal of fect. wart. Special tam $14,488

94 JEEP YJ soft & hard torr
super clean

94 VOLVO 940 4 dr. autn,, tooks &

93 MAZDA PRECIDIA
runs like new, low kin Reo::ced to SEF, 983

gteat seorty car! Reduced to $13,988

= JIM

Galy $15,688