Jeni ACCORDING to a new survey, Canadians think aggressive driving is a serious safety prob- lem—but that doesn’t stop them from behav- ing aggressively when they get behind the wheel. Aggressive driving emerged second only to driver inatten- tion as the perceived main cause of motor vehicle colli- ‘sions — in fact, one in four surveyed. ranked aggressive driving ahead of impaired dri-- ving. Despite this, 84% of -fespondents admitted to at least one act of aggressive dri- ving over the past year. th When asked what they ought caused aggressive dri- ving, over 65% of Canadian respondents identified factors associated with stress- and the “pace of life. The survey found. that Canadians have strong opin- . jons and common definitions about what constitutes aggres- _ sive driving. _ Respondents identified the most common acts of aggres- _ sive driving as: . @ tailgating (93%); passing on the shoulder of ithe roy (88%); Quiet luxury that’s easy t {rom page 26 roof rails, side pillars and door beams. Inside are three-point seatbelts for all five passen- gers, pretensioncrs for the : front seatbelts, dual front airbags, and dual side airbags, Ina dition, a new active head restraint system for the front seats reduces the chance of whiplash by moving up and forward to support tie head a Collision. Under the hood is one of the smoothest, quietest V6 engines available anywhere. The 3.0-litre “VQ” V6 engine with dual overhead “cams and four valves per wer toa new variable air ink system, equal length dual exhaust pipes, and a new variable capacity muffler. The engine "also has a bigger radiator and . four engine mounts to reduce “vibrations in the cabin. A four-speed automatic trans- mission is standard equip- ment, but unlike the Maxima, a manual transmission is not available. " ‘The 130 retains an inde- pendent front suspension and mon-independent beam sus- pension at the rear, but the Tear suspension has a relocat- ~ed lateral link, softer bush- 2 ings, and thicker stabilizer “bars. The result is a softer ride’ : without sacrificing the I30’s north shore news » AU @ making rude gestures (86%); @ pulling into a parking space someone cise is waiting for (80%); B& changing lanes without sig- naling (75%). The national study was conducted by COMPAS Inc. and commissioned — by TheSreelAlliance and the Canada Safety Council. “Canadians clearly recog- nize the characteristics and seriousness of aggressive dri- ving,” says Emile Therien, president of Canada Safety Council. “However, the number of drivers who admit to it is amazing, especially when you consider that they link car crashes to this behaviour.” According to Therien, the Labour Day weekend will cre- ate highway congestion, back- ups and delays. People will need to exercise caution and patience to ensure their safety on the road. In partnership with TheSteelAlliance, the Canada Safety Council is ‘distributing a pamphlet giving drivers a list of tips for staying safe and calm on the road. To obtain a copy, send a stamped, selfaddresséd cnve- lope to the Canada Safety Council, 1020 Thomas Spratt Place, Ottawa KIG 5L5, or rather sporty-handling abili- tics. i6inch tires are standard on the Luxury model, and low-profile 17-inch tires stan- ~ dard.on the Touring model. Poor weather performance has been improved by the addition of standard traction control and a limited slip dif ferendial. To reduce brake fade and improve braking, the 2000 130 also offers bigger rotors for its standard four-wheel disc brakes which come with standard four-channel ABS. Steering linearity has also TO 1 and Hyde behind the wh be NEWS photo Martin laillerchip TAKING steps to reduce your stress level behind the wheel can reduce the impulse to drive aggressively. If you do, perhaps your car will avoid the tender care of tow truck drivers like Chris Green. phone (613) (ext.230). The information can also been improved via refined engine-spced sensitive power steering. All of these improvements add up to a more comrort- able, better-handling rid- sized Juxury car that is decep- tively easy to drive, incredibly smooth and quiet on the free- way, and almost as roomy as a . full-sized luxury car. I was particularly impressed with the contemporary design of the interior, including the large vent slats, big radio but- tons, classic script on the instruments, and the brass- Technical Data 2008 fafiniti 120 Base price: $39, 700 Price as tested: $41, 500 Type: 4-door, 5-passenger mid-size luxury sedan. - Layout: transverse front engine/front-whceel-drive Engine: 3.0-litre V6, DOHC, 24 valves Horsepower: 227 @ 6,400 rp ‘Torque: 217 ft.-ib. @4, 000 Pon m. Transmission: 4-speed automatic Curb wei; Tires: 22 /50R-17 tz 1,531 kg (3,375 Ib.) Wheelbase: 2,750 mm (108.3 in.} ~ Length: Width: 1 786 min (70.3 in. ‘ . Height: 1,435 mm (56.5 in.) : 4,920 mm (193.7 in.) Trank: 422 lites (14.9 cu. ft. } -Fue! consumption City: 11.9 1/100 km (24 m.p.g.) Hwy: 7.8 1/160 km (36 mpe 5) Warranty: Four years/80, O00 km; years/100,000 km powertrain six ee GE Soo ee AG Se De GS BO Ed) SE Coniplete mechanical & electrical repairs ‘by factory trained technician _ iMPEX AUTO 1166A West i4th Street Tel: ees-aaa7 (off Pemberton Ave., entrance at rear} . Se ace es aS EY CR ED Pl _ 739-1538 be downloaded _ from: or - drive coloured clock on the dash. The 130 leans in the cor- ners, but grip is tenacious, and ride comfort is main- tained even over rough, uneven surfaces. The 130 feels and drives like a well-built automobile, and Infiniti backs up these subjective impres- sions with a very good war- . ranty: four - years/80, 000 km on the entire car and six years/100,000 km on the powertrain. Built in Oppama, Japan, the 2000 130 is already on sale. Govt. licensed inspection Friday, September 3, 1999 — North Shore News — 27 99 Mercedes-Benz CLK 320 silver w/black int, 6K, $59,800 99 Mercedes-Renz SLK 230 Kompressor silver w/salsa int., 3K, $54,800 98 Persche Boxster silver w/black int., 11K $59,800 93 Mercedes-Benz 500 SEC black w/black int., 75K, $39,800 98 Mercedes-Benz ML320E silver w/erey int.. 50K $43,900 Ask us about leasing . Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. 1375 Marine Cr. 934. 93 51 North Vancouver www. vancouver.mercedes-benz.ca pag BCAA, LRA, CBC. Sopraved | SUMMER SPECIALS On. & Faren is Check battery, test antifreeze, check tires & brakes, visual inspection cR, Suen Luse Y a above with written B.C.A.A., inspection report, rotate tires, top up ail fluids "ing, off, fitte, fy ww Woh scope check by one of B.C:'s top A Gare ~ technicians, road test & report any findings =~ ato > Brac Seaarce | \" Replace front pads or rear pads or shoes, by a certified technician. Ain-Conp. & Coouna Diagnose A/C operation. te = a manwve, check refrigerant level, che com pressor belts, hoses, gases, radiator cond,, uids & repent. . % ee , : ; wy High tech, ful 4 wheel computer check out, with print out & road test . “Prices cover mast cars & ligitt trucks . eAll services by Govt. registsred technisiaas . TALKING station $2564 Tipe rte i ne el 985-7455 } s 99’s Prices carried over. For September only! | 2990... A. 155 HP, 2.5 titre, V6 quad cam B » Drive select 4x4 2 ¢ Auto lighting system « Power windows, mirrors and door locks Tilt steering ° Side impact beams § ¢ Seating for five AM/FM stereo cassette w/4 speakers Ez Dual airbags SESS. * Rear cargo lignt _ * Accessory power cuttet » 12 storage compartments - * Rear door child-safety locks . ° Variable intermittent wipers .. ¢ 4-whaci ABS © Tire cover * 16" wheels and tires ¢ 5 link rear suspension . Rear wiper washer |