ote CANADIANS do not ant spending on the national transportation infrastructure to take a backseat to spending On social programs, according to a national opinion poll of Canadian Automobile Association members conducted by Ekos Research, As the federal cabinet gath- ers next week for early budget deliberations, the CAA is isis want hi releasing the results of ts poll on members" ews oof Canada’s national roadways. According to the poll, 79% of members believe that even though social spendir is important, Canada’s highway system must alsa be upgraded in order to ensure continued economic gruwth and pro- ductivity across the country. More than 70% believe that the federal = government should make a greater effore on our national roadways than it has in the past. “What the poll shows is north shore news # AUTO that Canadians think this gov- ernment can balance our needs,” says Brian Hunt, pres- ident of the four million member CAA, in a release. “Now that they've tackled the national deficit and put con- centrated funding into health and education, it’s time for the government to take 2 strong leadership role and deal with issues such as national roadways which have lagged behind in spending prioritics.” Respondents cited reduced injuries, reduced pollution, and improved — economic growth as the top three rea- sons to include national high- ways in the 2000 budget. These findings are sup- ported by — government research which shews that improving the substandard conditions of our roadways can save up to 380 lives and prevent more than 25,000 injuries cach year. Members identified a num- ber of direct benefits that will result from improving the National Highway System. Topping the hist is job creation e careful when teaching kids how to drive From page 26 reminding Johnny to check that rear-view mirror every few heartbeats for things like, oh, » runaway Mack mrucks, cops ina “Spee ursuit, inattentive Laos on cell- phones and similar disasters in the making. And while you’re at that, remind yourself thar Johnny is new at this and what's com- ing from behind might be critically important to passen- ger and learner-driver alike — a second rear- view mirror is mandatory equipment for dri- ving school ‘cars, but you may ‘want to simply turn your head wom an excruciat- ing effort, to be sure — but hey, you took on the teacher role, might as well get into it. Another clue that the par- ent/guardian is passing along bad habits reveals itself when we see daddy pick up Johnny from school, hop out the dii- ver’s seat and toss Johnny the keys. A warm and fuzzy male- bonding moment, but neither daddy nor Johnny seem to care that the old Olds is parked next to a fire hydrant or someplace similar where parking 1s restricted. “That's m’boy. Daddy’s little law breaker.” No big deal, you'd think, but how many kids lament “I hope I don’t get such-and- such an examiner, I hear he Many Miata options From page 23 In fact, the 10th is a great © ~ ear around town because it’s so manocuverable. Lane anges are a snap, ing is easy, and Visibility wath thet top down is excellent. Still there are some sore “points, Drivers over six feet tall will find themselves ducking under the windshield header to see where they’re- going. __..”. Interior room is snug, and : there’ s still not much storage. Co "Rear three-quarter visbility © “with the top up could be bet- ’ ter. The trunk is wider now « *.” that the spare tire has been Nicole Sandler. of Softouch Auto Deuailing, recently presen moved from the sidewall to the floor well, but it’s still only less than half the size of a small sedan’s trunk. Standard equipment on the 10th is fairly extensive. Apart fron: the features mentioned above, every 10th includes standard dual-airbags with a passenger-side deactivation ’ - switch, a standard Bose: AM/FM/CD /cassette player with four ers and power antenna, glass rear window with defogger, power win- dows, power mirrors, power . door locks, cruise control, nwo cupholders, and a flip-up. windblocker (which doesn’ . work very well). Options are few: air condi- fails everybody the first time!” A valid hope based on a myth. Most examiners expect the laws to be obeyed, even the little ones, strange as that May seem, and they will fail everybody who hasn't learned of this expectation... Other deficient parent/driving-teachers show themselves in the way kids are allowed to motor about the roadway — and I’m not talk- ing about normal, learning- curve things like slow acceler- ation or botched parallel park- ing jobs — bur by other “lit- te” laws that are broken; those gross infractions that seem harmless most of the time. Like not coming to a full available tioning (which comes with dual front fog lights), a six- disc CD changer, block heater, and a removable matching _ blue hard-top. Fully-equipped, a 10th goes for over $40,000 with taxes. Ouch! Still, for a unique and col- lectible’ sports car which has no direct competitors, it could be considered a good value. The Miata is the only small, front-engine, rear-wheel- drive two-seater sports car on the market for under $30,000. The LOth is just that little bit more exclusive. More information is available at . : te 07 a : ted Walter Gonos | of North Vancouver, a certificate for a free auto detalling worth $150. Waiter | vas the winner of the May Auto Pro contest. [22s the winner of the May Auto Pr Cc attacaaten tuftac tarsasen dai-te Xa saber te berets 5 yee hp Oa Sat Wy BS tala ee Oy ee aN en nd ct tinal the See de, UR ERE stop at 3 stop sign (“Nobody does, son, except on the road test.”); turning right on a red when a sign says ‘no-right- turn-on-red” (“It’s OK, son, there’s no one arouid.”); or parking in a handicapped zone, just for a monient, as if it were a cleverly disguised loading zone. Come on folks, teach your children well. While your at it, learn to drive. ’'m not sure how it happens, and it scares the hell out of me, but kids become their parents. Don’t be a bonehead, lest your kid become one. A RD EE er Te ishway system upgraded critical for Canada’s competi- tiveness, its economic pertor- mance, its productivity ‘and its trade,” says Hunt. *Gocd economic performance is tied to good roads.” The telephone survey was conducted with 600 randomly selected members between June 16 and 22. across the country (66% of respondents) followed by reducing the time spent by individuals and businesses in traffic congestion (64%) and saving moncy on gas wasted by idling in traffic and repairs required because of poor road conditions (63%). “National highways are TavLonmotive” COLLISION SPECIALISTS for Foreign & Domestic NORTH SHORE’S HIGHEST VOLUME ALL MAKE _ 1.€.B.€. VENDOR * Quality ok Service * LCB.C. Vendor. | e iy Ohe Howe of the Wifetime | ‘~ Guarantee ~ | Also Mechanica! Divisi \anoior mo ra ae. BEEERGITAEs.2 oon 215 9 eaura dit LE ete een }