inquiring
reporter

Horseshoe Bay
Dundarave/Ambleside
British Properties

IT seemed like a good idea at the time, this province's
Graduated Licensing Program that was adopted last
year, No more passing a test at 16 and hit ling the open

road flat out.

Vell, not quite. After a written road

knowledge test, earners must display the “L™ sign for 2
minimum six months during which time they must be
accompanied by a licensed adult supervisor, drive only

between 5 a.m. and midnight

and carry a maximum of

two passengers (including the supervisor), The six-
month period can be reduced to three if'a driver. educa-
tion course approved by ICBC is taken but, and here's
the rub, it’s not compulsory. The concept of the foliowing intermediate stage was a
good one: the “N" that must be displayed for 18 sonths and a continuation of a zero-
tolerance on blood alcohol content, followed by another road test are all improvements
on the old system, But the numbers show that one in five new drivers are involved in
a crash during their first two years driving. Approved training should be compulsory.

NORTH SHORE DEMOGRAPHICS

YES NO
89% 2%
92% 6%
79% [8%

Norgate/Pemberton Heights 85% 11%
Capilano/Delbrook Highlands £2% 16%

Lower Lonsdale

81% 3%

Central and Upper Lonsdale 85%. 2.5%

Lynn Valley

Blucridge/Deep Cove 87% 0% 3% 10%

92% 5%

COMBINED AVERAGE ............. 87% 7%

BO YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE INQUIRING REPORTER? E-mail your comments or question ideas to: mmillerchip@nsnews.com

Vashti Singh:
Contritvuting Writer

A local Capilano.
College student will be
dedicating his summer
to providing aid to a
foreign community.

Miles Walker is one of cight
cople across. Canada chasen
by the HOPE Foundation to
spend July and August in the
Dominican Republic this sum-
mer.

While there, he will build
irrigation ditches for one of the
poorest towns in the country.

The <project focuses ‘on

developing the resources
abroad ‘that will enable poorer
communitics to help them-
selves once the youth volun-
teers have left the area.

It is part of larger effort by
the HOPE Foundation to pro-
vide young people with a
chance to study international
development issues and solu-
tions. Once that portion of the
program is complete, the vol-
unteers spend two to four
months of their summer serv-
ing, learning and sharing with
various communities abroad.

Walker said he applied to
this program because “I want-
ed to try. something thar will
broaden my horizons, give me
a chance to see a different part
of the world and live and act

with a community. And, of

course, to help them.”
Although Walker expects to
work nine hour days, six days a
week, he’s looking forward ro
the opportunity to aid a com-
munity and gain insight into a

NO SON’T
OPINION KNOW
1% 2%
1% 1%
3% 0%.
4% 0%
2% 0%
6% 0%
7.5% 5%
3% 0%

4% 2%

different culture.

“T wanted to live with the
community where you interact
and get to be with people. Just
the whole idea of being in a
place where people appreciate
things more then they do in
Canada” appeals to Walker, a
business administration stu-
dent.

Walker has currently raised
$800 of the $2,950 he needs
to travel.

The HOPE Foundation is a
non-profit, organization that
was established in 1975 on
Christian principles. But the
organization provides assis-
tance irrespective of social,
economic, political or religious
beliefs. To learn more about
the HOPE Foundation or to
make a contribution to
Walker’s trip, call 525-5481.

Judy Tripp

North Vancouver
I think so,
city. Cost is a factor, but if it
creates safer drivers,

certainly in the

then

Ed Nizio

Toronto

Yes. There are too many
cars, liability is too high,
insurance is too high.
Drivers should have a mini-
mum level of knowledge.
Onuario offers preferred
insurance if you take train-
ing.

Violet Mack

Vancouver

T think it’s a great idea but
not everyone can. afford it.
Why don’t they bring driver
training into high schools? J
also think 16 is way too
young. Have you ever
known a 16-year-old who
hasn’t had an accident.

MILES Walker, 2 Capilano College stucent and West Vancouver resident, mroudly
holds the letter that confirmed he is one of only eight Canadian students chosen::
by the HOPE Foundation to work in the Dominican Republic this summer. ae