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WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1989, PAGE 19 IDRI VINGO; SAFELY with RANDY RANDY McLEAN IS A PROFESSIONAL. ENGINEER WHO-SPECIAUZES IN TRAFFIC SAFETY. Mr. McLean has reviewed thousands of individuai motor vehicle accident reports and his close *working relatlonships with police agencies, goverrrîents, safety associations, industry and the public, have given him a true overview of trafflo safety Issues, problemrs and solutions ln Canada. Have yen ever driven a vehicle while under the influence of drugs? Very few of us can honestly answer 'No" te that question. Impaired driving is the single most frequent cause of fatal metor vehicle accidents. Motorists who knowingly drive while impaired endanger not only their own lives, but the lives of their passengers and other îroad users as weIl. Fortunately, the combined efforts of our governments, police, safety associations and the ccmmunity at large have been at least partially successful in reducing the number of afIcohol related fatalities. Although we stili, have a very long way to -go to liminate this problem, the public is very aware of the dangers of drinking and driving. Hewever, we are far less aware of the influence of drugs on our ability to drive safely. Every day, many responsible, safety conscious motorists may unintentionally and unknowingl drive whil eale impaired by drugs. Not by i1leg~ drugs whiich are specifically intended te impair the mental process, but by over-the-counter or prescription drugs. At one time or another we have ail taken some form of drug to relieve cld symptcmns, allergies, high bleod pressure, headaches, stress or any other of the almost endless list of common ailments. Because these remedies are taken te relieve seme type. of distresa we generally consider these to, be "medicines" and net "rg" Except, perhaps, for pharmacists, chemists and doctors, most of us tend te, have a rather simplistic view of hew over-the-counter and prescribed drugs work. We have a speciflc ache or pain, se we take a particular medicine te relieve our 'discemfort. Unfortunatley, ini addition te relieving the pain, many drugs have some unwanted aide effects. They may cause drowsiness, nausea, blurred vision, reduced coordination, dizziness, and se, on. In fact, some drugs are purposely designed te ease our pain by dulling our senses. Driving under the influence Of over-thé-counter or prescribed drugs can be every bit as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. Because there are se many, different types of drugs available there is ne single test te identilS' their presence, and motorists involved in an accident seldom volunteer such information. Consequently, the magnitude of the drug impaired driving preblem is net well known. However, it can affect anyone, at any age, on medication. Before you decide te, drive while on medication, stop and ask yeu pharmacist or dector if there are any possible side effects that might impair your ability to drive. They will be glad you teck the time te, ask. If there is any danger of impairment, don't drive - consider talcing a tai, arranging fer a ride with a friend, or postpcning your trip if possible. When taking a particular medication for the first time, look fer side effects that might make it inadvisable for yen te, drive. Remember, drugs affect different people in different ways. A drug that appears te, have littie or ne effect on your neigbbour may seriously impair your judgement or coordination. Aise remember that combining alcehol and medication is more than doubly dangerous even if you den't get behind the wheel. Imnpaired driving is a maqjor contributing factor in almost half cf all fatal mateir vehicle accidents in Canada and is serieus criminal offense. Don't become an impaired driver unintentionally, ask your pharmacist or doctcir for the facts. Be safe, be informed. DRWE SAFELYI Road reports in French The Ontarie Ministry of Transportation has expanded French services fer its winter road repcrting service te five areas of the province. -0% -RS Nissan Maxima,: Matter offavo rites FROM PAGE 18 parts cf the car -- rcom and comfert, and the handling. the interior the engine, I really enjeyed being in the Maima, which is a dlaim I cannot always make, even about cars that are great te, drive. The seats were right, the contreils well-pcsitioned (if net always well designed), and the driving position was excellent. Tinaailyea brake ad that s reaiy abreak, lWhatm akso= bralke specials speai At Auto Genios, we onVy «Glznme a break" brake speciala: Iuse t of ath4e nWagner lai8wubsi Ibrake replacement parts. urg*im p Ie oferyu $7495g 12.5 ru.Pg#123 SAnd oiw eperienoed one 88 5 OWn$ 49iI tO bfi 8flS 11use the Incbe aalm oplUm arer IndhW ie*falfom i ner la s 188518 p o O-IUE 'dr qfi napeWonof of matr cyfiiider and ttM brke I ta tIyol exacWyWhat L o (pus mahlniagif needed), and perDrmance nspecdon.I Iyuu need dons and why toWbrake U*a %Wa 8.wbsg!nr dum brak I -no guesswrk, f0no .I 8.Wbsul boutdie bnko 7M ural Rg.8225.90 isurprise. For brake Mt»L PR. $856.90 u peis is trealy are 5 $ 5 9 ISmrb oA GUe11 , fn B of th P0unl GSù - sO M W TwhNPA e apaon fr"4u Meeng ada outr f mer*ncy thnky dsràa m l drepàla on0f .aja3, repaoment of brak.. In mapon ad repaoment of I WAGNER Ne Wu& and mM qMmi pus tW BAPODuIJm U l, 95, .ipyut o..am IfghI b r in hI ab s *1 OOtrmaneb«o. 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