8 — Auto Edition 1992 Highway safety to ohapas focus (NC)—Since the 1960s, highway safety efforts have focused on reduc- ing the number of severity of injuries sustained during automobile crashes. But in the 1990s, according to General ~ Motors automotive safety engineers, the focus will shift to crash avoid- ance—preventing an accident from happening in the first place. Despite progress in reducing acci- dent fatalities, efforts must focus on modifying the types of human behaviour that contribute to crashes, such as impaired driving. GM engi- neers note that the development and use of new technologies to make driv- ing easier and safer can also help re- duce the number of accidents that do occur. An example of advanced technol- ogy that can help prevent accidents includes anti-lock brakes. GM, which plans to have anti-lock brakes in all its vehicles by the 1994 model year, is also working on sophisticated high- way systems designed to lessen the likelihood of accidents. SALES LTD. GRAND FORKS One Hour Away — But Well Worth the Trip. CAR Motor, Low K's, Grey Our Recent Buying Trip Brings You These Great Buys! 1988 Ford Mustang LX 5.0 302 High Output, Fuel Injected $8,995 Airbags are saving lives Ml General Motors Ltd. ushering in a new era of safety with airbags cting like a big cush- ion to lessen the im- ct of a crash, airbags may become a stan- dard item on the driver’s side of all cars within five years, says a technical adviser with the B.C. Automobile Associa- tion. _ Bob McHugh said airbags already come equipped on many ’92 vehicles and will eventually be put in backseats as well. First tested in North Amer- ica by General Motors in the early 70s, airbags are de- signed to fit in the centre of the steering wheel. They contain a chemical called sodium azide, and during frontal or near frontal collisions where impact is above 22.5 kilometres per hour. Sensors in the car trig- This reaction produces ni- trogen which is then able to in- flate the bag in less than 1/20th of a second, causing the protective cover over the cen- tre of the steering wheel to rip open. The bag deflates again in a fraction of a second, as not to interfere with a person’s es- cape from a vehicle. “This doesn’t mean you’re not to use your seatbelt. The seatbelt will help keep you in the vehicle,” said McHugh, adding that the bag will not in- flate if the car rolls over, is re- ended or is hit on the side. uring the chemical reaction, particles that look like smoke are vented into the passenger compartment as the bag de- ploys. McHugh said tests done on the airbags show neither the particles nor the chemical reaction pose any respiratory system hazards. Each time the airbag de- ploys, it must be replaced. Al- though this cost has7 gone down considerably since airbags were first introduced, replacement can still be ex- pensive. CBC Media Relations Officer Ken Hardie said the cost varies depend- ing on the vehicle. He said a Porsche with airbags on both ‘the passenger and driver side can cost around $15,000 to re- place. However, he added, many airbags do not cost as much, and replacement is sometimes covered by a driver’s insur- ance. Hardie said if the acci- dent is your fault, you'll have to have collision coverage for ICBC to cover the costs, and if the accident isn’t your fault, then the other person’s insur- ance will pay for it. McHugh said airbags are not recommended when a rear-facing infant seat (used for kids up to 20 pounds) is in the seat. — = _ » "ene ; : 75¢ Wednesday March 25, 1992 BES 60SECONDS Residents of Castlegar have rated air pollution as their num- ber one health concern. That has members of the Tri-City Health Promotion Project won- dering what can be done. RIDING THE RAIL 1990 Chrysler Dynasty 4Dr., New, Balance of factory warranty 1988 Chev 1/2 Ton with Canopy, Low K's, 1991 Chev Magnesium 5 Star Rims and Tires 1988 Merc. Cougar LS 3.8 L. V-6., Air, Not a flaw! ..§10,495 1989 Chevy Cavalier Z24 V-6, 5-Spd., Blue beauty ..$9,995 1989 Ford Taurus V-6, Burgandy, Air, Low K's 7 495 1986 Honda Prelude Pwr. Sunroof, 5-Spd.. 1985 Pontiac Firefly Blue, 5-Spd. .- 1979 Ford F250 4x4 1990 GMC SLX 3/4 Ton P.U. Aqua Blue, 1988 Chev Corsica V-6, Auto, Air Cond., 1991 Chev Silverado Stepside 4x4 White on Burgundy, Full Load with | buckets. 350 Auto, Trailer on Package, #th-Weld_Wh ger a chemical reaction. Drunk drivers ast fall ICBC ran newspaper ads drawing attention to the increasingly costly problem of crime-related auto insurance claims. Over 150,000 motorists suffered these loss- es last year and we all shared the costs. Claims for stolen vehicles jumped 42 per cent in 1991 over 1990, and the cost of those claims exceeded $42 million. Over $24 million worth of stereos, hood or- 4s 4 reeis-and 33-inch Fires,_LowK's,_Fut All Vehicles Backed By Warranty. Remember If We Don't Have The Vehicle Of Your Choice, (New or Pre-Owned), We Can Get You One. But Only If You Want A Good Deal! CALL COLLECT 442-2363 ASK FOR BILL OR KEN Sales Ltd. DLN. 9243 Hwy. 3 Grand Forks, B.C. 442-2363 ¢ Computer Cut Lettering « Custom Striping ¢ Stripe Repairs (Factory or Custom) ¢ Luggage Racks 693-5455 * Cab Extensions “3M WINDOW TINTING naments, seats, hub caps and other car parts disappeared:last year — a 38 per cent increase. Until recently, ICBC didn’t even need to keep statistics for vandalism. Over the past two years, willful, senseless damage to vehicles has doubled in cost to over $21 million. Hit and run is a double-edged problem that rolled up costs exceeding $36 million in 1991. ne issue is the fact that drivers ran away from over 35,000 damaged ve- hicles and another 1,900 human vic- tims. The other is that some motorists still try to pass off damages they’ve caused as the work of someone else. About one in three hit and run claims are not paid because of misrepresentation or fraud. Speaking of fraud, ICBC’s Special Investi- gation Unit continues to lay more criminal charges against those trying to steal from the costing us all system. SIU’s efforts have also resulted in civil court victories with claims denied and punitive dam- ages awarded to ICBC. till, despite the fact that ICBC has the most active fraud-fighting team of any insurance company in Canada, indus- try averages suggest exaggerated or fraudulent claims could be siphoning off more than $100 million a year. single, most ‘serious s crime; Sand that's anking driving. leben though B.C.’s CounterAttack program has had a big impact on the problem, we esti- mate that it takes 21 per cent of every mo- torist’s premium to settle claims caused by drivers. The 1991 price tag could reach over $290 million Much of the hope for a solution to these. crimes rests with each of us. Our individual efforts to secure our proper- ty and to help identify those responsible for theft, vandalism, hit and run, fraud and drink- ing driving could help drive down Autoplan premiums. How much? Add up the totals and divide by 2. 2 million ICBC policies... clearly it’s worth doing. PROFESSIONAL AUTHORIZED APPLICATORS 1956 Ford F100 Pickup FOR SALE « Company Logos ¢ Ground Effects (Spoilers, Air Dams, Etc.) * Bodyside Moulding « Auto Accessories Completely $16,000 Invested Will Sacrifice for @ LOCAL SPORTS Kelly Hurd’s first year of pro- fessional hockey has literally been an up and down experi- ence. Still, he’s sure he'll be skating in the NHL within two years. page 13 @ WORK PLACE Just over 10 years ago, Dale ~ Nielsen became owner of Adastra Aviation Ltd. Last week, he sold it to Kooteany Airways Ltd. page 18 News phot o by Ed Mills A handrail at Castlelaird Plaza makes a suitable launching pad for daredevil Eugene Voykin (right), while fellow skater Jason Legebokoff looks on. Farside Norman Letters After Hours Our People Local Sports Work Place Ed Mills NEWS REPORTER Two of the three men charged in the murder of Castlegar native Mark Ligh- tle have been convicted. Ajury found Timothy Stuart Steer, 8, and David Ian Olson, 22, both of Cal- gary, guilty of manslaughter Friday in Court of Queen’s Bench in Calgary. A third man charged in the incident, Donovan Hilton of Wetaskiwin, Alta., committed suicide in his hometown TV Listings inside Mark Lightle’s killers cemetery last June. Steer and Olson, who were free on bail, were taken into custody to await sentencing Friday. “We're just hoping (their sentence) wit Ll lenge said Mark’s Care Robert wouldn't bel Kapoy with anything eacapt life (in prison), “As far as ’'m concerned, there should be the death penalty,” he said. Mark Lightle, who grew up in Castle- gar but had been living in Calgary since Teachers settie out of court Jonathan Green NEWS REPORTER A four and a half year legal battle in- tiated by a Castlegar lawyer on behalf of some 35,000 teachers came toa success- ful end inVancouver last week. “All the teachers I have spoken to are very pleased,” Castlegar lawyer Terry Dalton said Monday. In an out-of-court settlement an- nounced Friday, the teachers received some $32 million from the bankrupt Teachers’ Investment & Housing Co-op- erative. The settlement represents a return of about 75 cents on every dollar invested. In 1987, Dalton initiated legal action on behalf of the teachers from across Western Canada who had invested in the TIHC since 1952. The co-op was set up by older teachers to assist younger ones with mortgage payments. He said that banks of the day were hesitant to lend money to young teach- ers because of their low pay and the fact they only worked 10 months of the year. The older ones would invest money with the co-op, and would eventually re- ceive a small return on their investment. “In a sense, it was teachers investing in teachers,” he said. On the surface, Dalton said the teach- ers believed the plan was running smoothly. “As far as they knew, things we’re working well,” he said. But unknown to them, the co-op ran into a financial brick wall in the early 80s when numerous real estate deals in please see TEACHERS page 4 convicted 1980, was beaten to death on a down- town Calgary street in the early morn- ing hours of Aug. 22, 1990. He was 28 years old. Except for the day his son was buried ina apres aplrgeat Robert Lightle,; rOlg attended every day of the trial of the men charged. “Seeing them finally put in jail was a relief. Now we'll be keeping a close eye on eve! that goes on, trying to at- tend all their parole hearings totry: and keep them there as long as we can.” TRIM-LINE OF THE WEST KOOTENAYS CONTACT: Warren Mal off Trim Line A Subsidiary of 3M One Year Nationwide Warranty Box 338 811 Smith Cres., Genelle, B.C. VOG 1GO 365-3403 *11,000 IWA SPOKESMAN BL DEMOCRATS OVER TFL ANSFER, PAGE 4