32 — Sunday, June 6, 1999 — North Shore News Anti-theft devices reduce auto crin AUTO crime cost ICBC policyholders about $130 million last year, However, motorists can take precautions ta secure their vehicles and limit eppor- tunities for thieves and van- dals. 8 Plymouth vehicles are recalled. Your vehicle A may have an outstanding recall notice. It is very important that Mountview com- a plete these outstanding recalls. A If you own a 1989-1998 Chrysler vehicle, # please call 980-3431 and have your vehicle mw serial number ready. i There is no cost for this service. EAKE & RICHMOND N s_U RA N CE ° Homeowners ° Business e Condominiums °e Bonds ° Boats We represent a number of Canada’s largest insurance companies North Vancouver 104-1199 Lynn Valley Ad. Lynn Valley Centre 980-9394 West Vancouver 2435 Marine Drive, Dundarave 922-0181 Community programs and police initiatives are helping reduce auto crime. Thett claims reported to ICBC in 1998 were down 12% over 1997, Combined with similar reductions in the volume of thet of vehicle and vandalism claims, fewer people are becoming, victims of auto crime. The success of this battle against auto crime is due in part to the use of anti-chett devices. Products such as vehicle shut-off systems, audi- ble alarms and stecring wheel locks can help protect your vehicle by making it less attractive for a thief or vandal — in other words, anti-theft devices can “harden the tar- er.” ICBC has produced a guide called Buying Better Anti-Theft Devices to help consumers make product choices. The guide is part of an information program involving retailers. a s s Roadside weigh-in ICBC commercial vehicle inspector Bruce Geranler uses a set of portable scales to weigh a truck during a roadside Inspection. ICBC has stepped up its enforce- ment of commercial vehicle safety throughout B.C. this year. Consuiners can) look tor TCBC's “Best: Rated” sticker, which identifies anti-thert devices, which have a top rat ing, based on an evaluation of product features. This consumer intorma- tion is available ar all [CBC claim centres, Driver Services Centres, Autoplan brokers and at approximately 300 retail locations across the Province. The use of anti-theft devices can help put the brakes on auto crime. Here are some other auto-crime prevention tips: @ Nex: time you park, look around your vehicle and see what tempting items you've leit in plain sight. Something that seems worthless to you could be attractive to a thief. @ Never leave a wallet or purse in your vehicle. @ Choose well-lit areas to park. Look for areas near pedesteian trartic. @ Always close windows and /AYLORMOTIV COLLISION SPECIALISTS NORTH SKORE’S HIGHEST VOLUME ALL FAAME 1.C.B.C. VENDOR * Quality Workmanship « ° Trustworthy Service ¢ ° 1.0.B.C. Vendor ¢ 8.€.A.A. Approveds __.shop | aia rod Accredited Collision Repairs TALKING YELLOW PAGES 299-9000 714{518.. For Collision & Painting lock doors. @ Engrave your driver's license number on atenas like autre ostereos and cellular phones. ff they can be removed trom your vehicle, take them with you. @ Report any suspicious per- son around a vehicle to your local police. @ if you're planning a long day of shopping, customers can ask whether a mall has lockers to store goods until they are finished for the day. @ Would-be thieves often hang around parking lots looking for people who place items in trunks and then leave the vehicle. So, if you flock your purchases in the trunk, it’s a good idea to move the vehicle to another location in the mall and then return co your shopping. @ Check with your local mall to see if it sponsors volunteer patrols thar watch ott for sus- icious activities in parking ots. DON TAYLOR Same, vie Che Home of the Lifetime > ®uarantec => Also Mechanical Division. Repairs to all makes of Cars and Light Trucks (Foreign & Domestic). Alternative transportation arranged. TAYLORMOTIVE SERVICE LTD. 178 Pemberten Ave., North Van. ESTIMATES x CONSULTATION 985-7455 pay Facts | Bin 1998, B.C.'s auto } thett rate was 915 per 100,000 population, compared wid 600 for Canada as a whole; B ICBC recorded 17,767 auto thett claims in 1998, a decrease of nearly 2,500 trom 1997; it’s the second straight year that auto thefts have declined; @ from 1986 to 1997, auto theft claims cost ICBC and its policy holders nearly half 2 bil- lion dollars; this does not include the deductibles paid by auto theft vic- tims, nor the human costs of people killed or injured in crashes involv- ing stolen vehicles; @ police estimate chat nearly three-quarters of auto thefts are for joy riding; only one-fifth are stolen for profit by pra- fessional car thieves. Drinking driving If your spring and sum- mer activities include alcohol, ICBC encour- ages you to plan ahead - for a safe ride home by calling a taxi, calling a friend, taking public transit or appointing a designated driver. If you drink more than your limit, there’s no quick fix. Two alcoholic beverages take at least two hours to clear one’s system. Three drinks take three hours and so on. Forget about black coffee and walks — nothing will sober you up but time. Remember that drinking drivers put everyone at risk. So, if you are hosting a party or social event, consider the following: Have plenty of non-alco- holic beverages on hand such as pop and juice. You can also have fun by serving casy-to- make mocktails, Since alcohol works fast on an empty stomach, serve plen- ty of food and snacks. Most people overestimate the volume of an ounce. Keep a one-ounce glass at the bar and make using it a house rule. Out of the tap or out of the borde, water is a prover: thirst quencher (alcohol actually makes you thirstier). Strategically place pitchers or jugs of water next to your food and at the bar. Despite vour best efforts, one of vour guests might have too much to drink and still want to drive home. As host, it’s your responsibility to do your best to persuade the per- son to go with a designated driver, take a cab or let you take them home. If they still insist on driving, vou should call the police.