Safety Counc

, Shawn Conlin

signals

THE North Shore is renowned for its tight- knit, community atmosphere, and this is not just some lucky

_ fluke of mountain- dwelling demographics -~ it is because of the numerous men and women who believe that a fellowship needs to be created and main- tained through the involvement of its resi- dents.

This sensibility was ever so prevalent ata luncheon held < last week by the good folks of the North Shore Safety Council (NSSC). Ever heard of them? Me neither, until now, and shame on me for that — these people seem as adamant about traffic safety as Tam.

The NSSC was established back in 1954 and has been involved in numerous safety issues and programs ever since. One of the most recent achievements of the NSSC is a new seniors’ traffic safety and awareness course.

’_ A series of three hour “Drive Smart Seminars” has been developed for the mature driver which, with frank sincerity, explains “how

‘the aging process affects dri- ving” and how to deal with it. Included in this course is a

review of traffic law and other important driving issues as they relate to the “60-plus.”

T was pleased to hear that this program was overbooked — not because EF think seniors in general don’t know the rules, but because it is encouraging co see drivers admit that they may be par- tially to blame for the trou- bles they're having out there. There are too many know-it- alls and instant-experts as it is.

The NSSC is also respon- sible for the extremely popu- lar Elmer Program. Elmer is an elephant (not a real one, of course — how safe would that be?) who travels around to the North Shore's elemen- tary schools teaching young- sters strect smarts and safety.

Knowing full well that safety habits are best devel- oped from an early age, the NSSC was surprised by the NDP’s amendment to the bicycle helmet law which now exempts children under 12 on tricycles from wearing them (wearing helmets, | mean, not tricycles). This is the same government that asked the NSSC to start 3 bicycle-safety program for Grades Zand.

Without arguing “trike crash statistics” and other moot points, it is important to remember that the NSSC wants kids to get into the dabit of wearing a helmet.

Strangely, the NDP had asked the NSSC to spearhead the helmet law campaign. Now, to add insult to amend- ment, the NDP has stopped funding the NSSC altogether. Further, and in its nonsensi- cal way, the government has decided to fund brand new programs, not the tried and true and established ones, Good grief.

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The NSSC hasn't packed it in of course; they now charge a minimal fee for some of their programs to offset casts. A small sum of $16 will get you into the three-hour refresher course for seniors where you may learn sumething new or at least reinforce your driving skills.

The Elmer program now costs a paltry $12 per class averaging 25 kids (it used to be free). That's less than 50¢ for every kid learning the importance of street, fire and personal safety!

Aside from reaping a few benefits from the occasional Casino Night, the NSSC still has the overwhelming sup- port of the North Shore’s three municipal governments — remember that sense of community | mentioned? There are reasons for its being and reasons to be thankful...

Anyone wishing to contact

the North Shore Safety

Road Conditions 523-4957 BC Ferries

* schedule 277-0277 * general inquiries 669-1211 B.C. Transit 521-0490

West Van Blue Bus

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1.C.B.C.

985-7777

Ministry of Highways

Council for questions and comment should call 988 7233. Anyone wishing to enroll in the Seniors’ Safety Programme can call Lorna Lloyd-Jones at 983 3303.

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