34 - Friday, April 27, 1990 - North Shore News AUTOM OT I ASK THE e) EXPERT £é ASK THE Expert is a weekly column in the North Shore News’ Automotives section. Each week a reader’s question will be answered by an expert from the British-Columbia Automobile Associa- tion (BCAA). This week’s question is: I have a question regarding an article published in the News having to do @ with handling skids. As usual, readers were directed to steer into the skid. We were then told that the opposite applied for front-wheel drive. Can you explain why? Karen Nelson North Vancouver Your question refers to an article entitled A. ‘Winterize Your Driving Habits.’ Yes, it did say to react differently (i.e. steer against the direction of the skid if you have front wheel drive) but I’m afraid that I and two driving ex- perts don’t agree with that advice. The first objective if your car starts to skid, is to regain control; to get traction between the tires and the road. Front wheel drive (FWD) or rear wheel drive (RWD), it makes no difference. i asked two of B.C.’s foremost driving instruc- tors for their opinion: “It’s a myth, your reaction is the same,’’ ac- cording to Al Lund of the Pacific Traffic Educa- tion Centre. ‘‘Take your foot off the accelerator, and steer in the direction of the skid until you regain control. Those are the two basics. There is of course more to it than that, but it depends on the skill level of the driver.’’ Ross Bentley of Proformance (operators of the Skid Car) agreed but explained it a little dif- ferently, ‘‘f tell my students to look where you want the car to go. They then will naturally steer in that direction and regain control of the car. Each model of automobile handles a little dif- ferently so you have to know your car. There can be a greater difference in the handling of two RWD cars than there is between a RWD and a similar sized FWD.”’ Actually, good drivers don’t skid. If you get into a skid it’s because you’ve made a mistake. Good drivers drive within the limits of their automobile and the road conditions. Skid control is a highly skilful part of driving. Training and experience are essential if you want to hone these skills. The good driver is also net afraid to make a decision not to drive if he/she feels the conditions make it unsafe to do so. ~ Bob McHugh, BCAA’s Consumer and Technical Advisory dept. If you have an auto-related question, write to: ‘“*Ask the Expert,’? North Shore News, 1139 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver, B.C. V7M 2H4. VE $ Expert recommends testing for elderly FOR THE past three weeks, we have delved into a major study of older motorists entitled The Safety of Elderly Drivers — Yesterday’s Young in To- day’s Traffic, by Dr. Peter Rothe, manager of Research and Evaluation for ICBC. This week, in our final in- stallment, we will review what elderly drivers think about re-testing and how the issue of when to stop driving should be handled. When asked, most older motorists believed that there should be some kind of re- testing (especially an eye test and a road test) as a prere- quisite to licence renewal. This in spite of the fact that many said they would feel nervous or threatened at be- ing re-tested. Many thought those 65 or 70 and older should be re- tested. Others, especially motorists 75 and older, said all motorists regardless of age should re-qualify themselves to drive. Any- thing else would be prejudice on the basis of age. They feel the decision to stop driving should be made between their doctor (the in- dividuai with the greatest perceived credibility), . W@ Powerful 4 litre intine 6 cyl. Mm 5 Sod irans with overdrive @ Power brakes & steering themselves and their fami- lies. In his recommendations, Rothe emphasizes that we automobile technology. © Delivering simple, honest and direct messages about driving and traffic safety through the media or organizations involving the elderly. ¢ Conducting vision and coordination tests regularly from about age 55 onwards, because this age represents a Auto Topic Ken Hardie INSURANCE CORPORATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA must understand the human factors behind accident statistics for the elderly be- fore we can develop mean- ingful improvements. He suggests the following: © Developing an educational traffic safety/driving pro- gram focusing on defensive driving, myths about elderly drivers, the physical nature of aging, traffic laws and @@ Electric rea: window defrosier Factory AM/FM stereo We Chryster 7 yrs 115 km wairanty *17,982* “NET OF ALL PROGRAMS, FRIEGHT & PD $790 DL #7496 FACTORY ANTVORIZD “Ml RP” SA *1 '750 *Destination m2. & PDI $598 bi. Guaranteed B.C’s Lowest Prices, point beyond which any decline in vision may be more measurable. ¢ Basing licence renewal decisions on each older motorist's individual driving record. The family doctor and a doctor appointed by the motor vehicle depart- ment should do separate physical examinations and decide with the elderly per- son the extent to which he or she is still able to drive safe- ly. If the doctars can’t agree, Rothe says the Superintend- ent of Motor Vehicles should consult the medical findings and, after an interview with family members, make a final decision on licensure. e More assistance for the el- derly who can no longer drive. Most older motorists told us they do not believe current alternate transporta- tion choices are viable. The Safety of Elderly Drivers — Yesterday’s Young in Today’s Traffic will soon be available in ma- jor book stores and public libraries across B.C. Copies can be ordered from Trans- action Publishers, Rutgers, the State University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, U.S.A. 08903. The cost is $19.95 (U.S.)} or $24 Cana- dian. Capilano Volkswagen Luxury sedan, auto trans, Low kms. Satance of warranty, fully toaded with anti-lock brake system. Special Sale Price ’87 Honda Accord LX 4 Dr, auto, pisteering, S/roof. 70,500 kms. Silver metallic. Sale Price 513,500 90 VW Camper Multi-Van Automatic, power central tocks 8 pewer windows. Bordeau Red , ys i Price $27,140 88 Nissan Sentra XE m 2 Door, 5 speed, sunroof, power steering. Silver metattic. B ony $11,490 '86 Mazda 626 Turbo LX m 4-door, 5 spd. siraal power windows, power locks } Special $8900 Sale Price ’88 2 Dr. Subaru XT DL 5 spd. trans.. AM/FM cassette Pisteeting. White in colot ‘Ee $10,850 Price 519,900 | FINANCING .< O. Sale Price 4 Dr, auto trans., 4-Runner. Fully loaded, White. No air cond. ‘27,900 Speciat Price '87 Camaro V6, 2.8 multi port F.t., auto, pisteering. White incolor. *10,500 gt 90 Acura Integra LS 5 spd., slroof, cass., p/s cruise. pimirrors, a/cond. Very low kms. SPECIAL PRICE 198 VW Vanagon GL 4x4 Synchro Dr. 7-Pass Bus. Met. Red, s/roof. bal. of wty. Stk. #146401 Special $21,900 76 BMW 5305 Leatherette, 4-Door, auto trans . Siroof. Bie in color. . 56900 DOZENS OF GOOD USED IMPORT CARS ON HAND DL #6066 Low kms. Special Price