38 — Friday, June 4, 1999 —- North Shore News -V ia THE Honda CR-V, America’s best-selling compact sport utility vehicle, has bested its class in the J.D. Power and Associates 1999 Initial Quality Survey (IQS2) for the second year in a row. DS Cid The CR-V also ranked first in its class in AutoPacitie’s 1999) Pare Product Satisfaction survey and = Vehicle Satistaction Score. tn addition, the 1999) Honda minivan ranked Strategic — Vision's Quality Index. all-new Odyssey first in Yoral tor lass in i horth shore news 2 AUTO The PD. Power and Associates TQS2. stidy sur veys the number of problems new-evehicle buvers expert ence in the first three months of ownership, Phe surveys conducted by Southern California industry consultant AutoPacific mea- sure owners’ satisfaction with vehicle quality as well as overall features, cost and the buying expericnee, Stratexic Vision, based in San Diego, surveys satistaction with both vehicle quality and the own- ership experience. “Consumers have endorsed the Honda CR V by making it the best-selling sport ublity vehick ins its category, and endorsed the Stricter licence standards lauded ANYONE looking to drive a commercial vehicle to make a living will face strict new standards and tougher tests. The beefed up require- ments represent the single largest up-grade in testing standards for commercial dri- vers in B.C. since the 1970s and will apply to anyone seck- ing a Class I through Class 4 licence. “These new tests will ensure the people driving commercial vehicles on B.C. roads have the proper skill and knowledge to operate these vehicles in a safe manner that’s respectful of all other traffic on our roads,” says Insurance Corperation of B.C. president Thom Thompson in a release. The new testing criteria includes: @ increasing the number of questions and topics on the knowledge test; Gia thorough assessment of all applicants’ ability:to carry out the mandatory pre-trip vehicle inspection; . + 1} conducting road tests for Class 1 licences with a loaded vehicle (load must be safe and secure — no livestock or dan- gerous goods); and @ adding new sections to the road test and increasing demerit points for failing cer- tain aspects of the road test. New applicants will have their driving record screened and anyone with more than threc traffic violations in the past two years resulting in dri- ver penalty points, or a crimi- nal code conviction in the fast - three years, will no longer be able to ootain a commercial learner's permit. The B.C. Safety Council is applauding the new standards -for commercial — driver’s licences which were intro- duced May 31. ; The council has been call- ing for stricter standards for professional driver’s licences for many years. While the frequency of commercial vehicle crashes has been decreasing, the size and weight of these vehicles has resulted in much more serious injury levels, often involving third parties. “We are delighted that ICBC has taken the first step towards true — professional standards for B.C. drivers who earn a living behind the wheel,” says the council's executive director Bryan Lowes in a press release. “It is difficult to change direction after so many years with flow standards in place and we applaud their courage ror taking the first step,” he says. “We want to see a system where it is hard to earn a licence and gasy to lose it. This sends a clear message that a driving career will no longer be a safe haven for those who put a buck ahead of public safety.” The new requirements for a good driving record of three years prior to applying for a commercial licence is tough, meaningful and necessary in “the council’s view. The tougher knowledge and road tests, the council says, reflect the fact that today" 's trucks demand higher skiil and better judgement in today’s crowded road envi- ronment, But it also believes these steps are only the necessary Complete Automotive Rogales, Maintenance & Service 296 PEMGERTON, a5 VAN We specialize in: Cooling Systems 1 ¢ Air Conditionin, © Full Mechanica! Repairs Guaranteed Best Price » Fast Drive-in Service ¢ Free Estimates Nor-est Radiators Cooling System Specialists for 47 Years 1975 West 14th, North Vancouver 3 Blocks south of Marine aff Pemberton srs 984-0374 Save*One Mechanics Auto Repair Centre Oil &: Filter: z= era fenter frem lane) 984-3038 Street Garage = BBB member « Govt Inspeciion Facility 53897 © AirCare Certified 80618 » Open: Mon-Fri 6-5 * Sat 9-3 834 West 1st St. N. Van For an appointrent call first elements of 3 comprehen- sive system) for the training and qualification of profes- sional drivers. The council also wants to see action ensuring a good safery performance is main- tained after the licence is issued. Not everyone drives within the rules, says Lowes. which is why a strict, consis- tent enforcement program is needed. The council suggests thar to make safety a daily pri- ority with every professional driver, B.C. will need to make use of both meaningful fines and penalty points as effective deterrents for vehicle owners aad operators who treat fines as a cost of doing business. SERVICE, REPAIR & PARTS FOR SAAB ONLY The shop that's strictly SAAB at very competitive rates. 18 month unconditional job warranties. 20 year in SAAB Service Business. | Swedish Autosport 2059 Clark Dr., (at 4th Ave) www.swedauto.be.ca 253-3119 peody Window Replacement . ICBC or private insurance, fast professional service. Mobile service available 903-4185 REGU SAS? RGIS WIRD W TASS 0 BPEDOY we care 110-340 Brooksbank, North Van Lowes says drivers and fleet operators need to know thar safety shortcuts will cost them as much or more in fines and penalties, than the value of the time and effort they are trying to save through unsate driving or inadequate vehicle inspections and maintenance. He expects the trucking industry may face challenges in finding enough qualified drivers for a while but he says he expects that, over time, trucking companies will real- ize significant benctits from improved driver performance. The council is an indepen- dent organization with mem- bers from all major B.C. industries. SAME a 1415 Hunter St., N.V. 386-2127 lity survey sporty CR-V quickly became the Jeading compact SUV. Oftered in both two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations, the CR-V has Odyssey with a direefold increase ia sales for the new omeadel,” said Dick Colliver, excentive vice presi- dent, Honda sales and mar- keting. one of the largest interiors in “The results of these con- its class. sumer satisfaction surveys In 1998, mere than have confirmed their deci- 100,000 CR-Vs were sold, sion.” representing 25 percent of Introduced in the market segment. SUMMER IS HERE! 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