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Upgraded computer system links B.C. agencies

LAST SPRING Jackie
sPement, Minister of
Transportation and
Mighways, announced a series
of traffic safety initiatives
designed to reduce the num-—
eof deaths, injuries and
hes on B. C. roads, not to
mention the estimated $2 bil-

annual cost to tax payers.

Betty. Nicholson,’ Motor Vehicle
ranch (MYB) Public Affairs
anager, was kind enough to send
ean overview. of the initiatives.

ine separate, bold, aggressive and
olte-too-soon plans, ranging from
ne collection to the dreaded photo-.

ar camera, are to be implemented».

er the next year.

= One ‘of these initiatives, designed ,

id in the implementation of the
pthers, involves an upgrade of the
IVB’s computer system — which
includes muy driver’s licence. -
eplacing a‘dated system, all Driver
= service Centres and related agencies

vill upgrade their computer systems ,

ith Pentium PCs (the Cadillac of
mputers) and with “user friendly”
software (the Paul Tracy of comput-
programs),
“Dve always been a fan of com.

17,875 includes power steering,
al airbags, ‘ABS brakes, air-con-
tioning, center console, cruise,
achometer, AM/FM stereo auto .

everse cassette player; folding

ear.seatback, intermittent wipers,”

d'tilt steering wheel.

‘A new Pass-key. anti- theft sys-
m is standard this year — the
ey.is imbedded with a special

SRP: $17,875

Type: . two-door, five-passenger °

compact coupe vs
ayout: . °. transverse
ngine/front-wheel- -drive

front

gine: 2.4-litre . four-cylinder, ,

OHC, 16 valves

Horsepower: 150 @ 6,000 r.p.m. -

155 ft.-Ibs. @ 4400

Freee P205/55 R- 16
urb weight: ”

Wheelbase: 2,644 ‘mm (104. I:

ength: 4,623 mm (182.0 in.)
idth: 1,712 mm (67.4 in.)
feight: 1,351.mm (53.2 in.)
frunk capacity: 351 litres (12.4
unft.)...
arranty::

- three years/60,000
mo ‘ . :

215 kg (2679

puters, though I've remained relative
dunce when it comes to using them.
They organize my life, save a lot of
time — often in spite of my computer
itliteracy — and for these reasons |
applaud this upgrade.

A near instantaneous exchange
between computers across the
province means that all the informa-
tion related to my driver's licence
and my driving habits, and the color
of my hair, is available to anyone
who needs it.

Furthermore, my driver's licence
itself will soon be high-tech, as has
already occurred in Alberta. Credit
card-like. my (and your) licence will

-have a bar code as well as a digitized

photo. This gives casy access to any-
one who necds information about

66 Driver Service
Centres will upgrade
their computer
systems with
| Pentium PCs (the
_. Cadillac of
computers) and
with user-friendly
software (the Paul
Tracy of computer
programs). 9?

“me and my driving habits: the digi-

tized photo can be sent anywhere
over a telephone line with out any

picture quality loss and, again,

: code needed to start the car.

Otherwise, it just won't start. This

_is also the first year you can get a

remote, keyless entry system for
the Sunfire.

The Sunfire's interior seats
five, but four is more. comfort-
able. The passenger seat does
slide forwards when the front pas-
senger seatback is released to
allow rear passengers to enter.
more easily.

Outward visibility is good
though the high rear deck inhibits
rear vision somewhat. Interior
controls are much simpler and .

1.€.B.C. -

Our 37th Year |

almost instantaneously.

At first glance, this computer
upgrade appears too similar to
George Orwell's vision 1984, albeit
12 years behind schedule. Be that as
it may, I must remind myself that
owning a driver's licence is a privi-
lege, not a right. With privilege
comes responsibility, usually, and 2
lack of privacy. This compromise
does not bother me as [ have nothing
to hide, at least when it comes to dri-
ving.

For example: { have no outstand-
ing fines owing to anyone in the dri-
ving industry. Drivers who do will
find it much more difficult to hide
this fact in a sea of paperwork and
red tape (the fine collection methods
have been stepped up in these new
initiatives at any rate — more on’
that in the future).

Also, [ have no points on my
licence which would otherwise indi-
cate an aggressive and/or offensive
driver. Those of you who do can
thank automation for the intense
sentiny of your licence.

Computers are un-biased: Any
and all bad drivers with a bad dri-
ving recayd will have their licences ~
“flagged’ “by the computer, If you
insist on driving like it's your last
day on earth, and you get caught,
your licence will be taken away —
without prejudice, of course (this has
always been policy but automation

tends to be a million times more effi- ;

cient).

Finally, 1 um_a law-abiding citi-
zen of B.C. and 1 appreciate the abil-
ity to be easily identified as one.
Those of you don’t, well... ;

Lam not “hands-down” in favor
of the system upgrade and | am a Jit-
tle worried about “the wrong hands."

We inust take the good with the
bad, however, and in this situation
the good far outweighs the bad; if
Big Brother is watching me, | guess
that's ok. L like my.big brother, after
all.

easier to use than they were on
the Sunbird and the driving posi- .
tion is very good.

Overail, the Sunfire GT offers
a nice blend of sportiness, fuel
economy, and value-for-money.

Many of its import competitors
are priced well over $20,000 sim-
ilarly-equipped. °

There's no shortage of com-
pact, front-wheel- drive sporty
coupe competitors on the market.
The Cavalier Z24, Acura Integra,

, Mazda MX-3, Dodge Neon

Coupe, Honda Civic Coupe, and
Saturn SC1 are just a few.

B.C.A.A.- ARA.

APPROVED CENTRE
FREE COURTESY CARS

‘FOR COLLISION REPAIRS |

|“LIFETIME GUARANTEE” |

AS LONG AS YOU OWN. YOUR CAR

DON TAYLOR
Same owner, same high
tech equipped shop

TALK iN S * Estimates *

299-9000:
[7iaisis

Consultation
985-7455

LUXURY AUTO SHOW... Park Royal
Shopping Centre's Luxury Auto Show
wraps up on Sunday. but that still gives car
enthusiasts time to check out the cars of
their dreams.

Highlights of the twelve dealer show
include a 1995 Ferrari F355, a 1996 Rolls
Royce Silver Spur, a 1995 Hummer 6.5L
and a 1995 Lotus Esprit S48.

— Andrew McCredie

If you wish to sell your vehicle directly to Mercedes
’ Benz or for a current evaluation of your vehicle, please °
contact the Sales Manager.at your convenience. .

Your Autoplan Agents: al BCAA are e pleased to"
» introduce this new monthly payment option.

BCAA SUBNET ey 268-5650.

Nobody has you covered ike BCAA

- 608 Park Royal North, West Vancouver © me
(Exterior location berween Canada Trust & The Bay)

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