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Few Request Airbag On/Of f
Switches
“Very few car owners are request­
ing the airbag on/otf switches," says
Marianne Macina, CPCU, regional
manager for Western Insurance Infor­
mation S en ice (W IIS). " As of the end
o f January. only 6,888 authorization
filings were made for air bag on-off
switches in the U.S.
According to the National highway
T ra ffic S a fe ty A d m in istra tio n
(NHTSA), the number one reason
(4,246) cited for airbag on-off switches
was not enough distance from the
airbag on the driver side. The second
most popular reason (1,563) cited for
the switch was positioning o f a child
on the passenger side, medical rea­
sons were third with 946 requests.
In Oregon, 113 car owners applied
requesting permission for 57 driver
side airbag switches, 29 passenger side
only and 27 requests for driver and
passenger airbag switches. 198 car
owners in Washington requested au­
thorization for 100 driverside switches,
62 passenger side only and 36 requests
for driver and passenger sides. In
Idaho, the numbers are much lower-
32 total requests: 17 for the driver
side, 4 for the passenger side only, and
11 for both front seat positions.
Macina says these numbers show
that car owners recognize the val ue of
airbags. However, she cites a warning
from the Insurance Institute For IIigh-
way Safety (IHS): “Airbags aren’t
alternatives to safety belts. Designed
to work with belts, airbags provide
additional protection, especially to
people’s heads and chests, in serious
frontal crashes.”
"Only if it isn’t possible to get at
least 10 inches from the steering wheel
should you consider an on/olf switch."
Macina says. “Even ifyou use a safety
belt, sitting this close without an airbag
puts your face at risk."
According to Macina, without an
airbag, you're still at risk from the
steering wheel itself, the dashboard
and the windshield. “the better solu­
tion may be installing pedal extenders
that cost about the same or even a 1 itt le
less than an airbag o n /o ff switch," she
says, adding: “This way you have the
combined safety benefits ofy our shoul­
der and lap belt and an airbag!"
Chi ldren are the main concern when
considering the airbag on/off switch
for the passenger side. “It’s safer to
put kids in the back,” says Marcina.
The 11HS says there’s only a rare need
to switch o ff a passenger airbag-for
example, when an infant with medical
problems requires constant observa­
tion and the driver is the only adult in
the car.
I f y ou often transport too many kids
to put them al I in back and worry about
keeping the chi Id in front from getting
too close to the passenger airbag, you
may w ish toconsider getting an on/ot f
switch, according to the IIHS.
Macina says the insurance says the
insurance industry doesn’t want you
to discount airbag risks. "D on't dis­
count the benefits o f airbags either,"
she warns. "If you’re one o f the very
few for whom airbags may pose a
risk, then an on/off switch may be
appropriate. Just remember how few
people really need on/off sw itches
and how easily they can be m isused.”
A ccording to the IIHS, if you
turn o ff your airbag, y o u ’d be for­
going im portant protection in the
event o f a serious frontal crash.
“W hen you know the facts,” say
M acina, " it becom es clear that
leaving airbags intact is alm ost al­
ways best. From the num ber o f
authorization requests, it appears
as if car ow ners across the country
agree w ith this philosophy."
"However, the insurance industry
does believe that people who have
qualified and received authorization
for on/off switches should be able to
get them installed.” A ccording to
the Oregon Department o f T rans­
portation (ODOT), Air Bag Service
in Issaquah, WA, is perform ing this
service for between $350 and $450.
They can be reached toll-free at 800-
2airbag.
Transportation Projects A w arded
to P o rtlan d & Gresham
W ashington DC— Congressman
Earl Blumenauer today announced
that 10 major transportation projects
for the Portland metropolitan area
have been approved by the House
Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee.
“ Nearly everyone in the metro­
politan area— bike riders, joggers,
pedestrians, transit riders, and driv­
ers— will see the benefits o f these
projects,” said Blumenauer.
Under this legislation Oregon will
receive $337.180 million annually,
which is a 58.2% increase over the
current law.
South/North Light Rail: The bill
fully authorizes the South/North light
rail project which is currently in the
preliminary engineering phase.
Westside Light Rail: The bill in­
cludes the final funds needed to com ­
plete the W estside light rail which is
due to open in September, 1998.
South Rivergate O vercrossing:
The bill authorizes $ 13 million for a
rail/road overcrossing at the entrance
o f Port o f Portland’s marine term i­
»
.
A P R IL 15, 1998
Page B5
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nal, the region’s largest concentra­
tion o f warehouses and distribution
facilities.
Broadway Bridge Rehabilitation:
The bill authorizes $10 million to
repair and retrofit the Broadway
bridge which was built in 1914.
Lovejoy Ramp Removal: The bill
authorizes $7.7 million to replace the
bridge’s out dated access ramp. The
removal will enable development ot
housing in Portland’s River District.
Historic Columbia River High-
wav: The bill authorizes $2 million
to continue restoration and preserva­
tion o f the Historic Columbia River
Highway. It includes construction ot
a pedestrian and bicycle path under
1-84 at Tanner Creek, continuing to
Moffett Creek. Also included is the
restoration o f the Tanner Creek and
Moffett Creek bridges.
Naito Parkway Improvements:
The bill includes $1.5 million for
parkway improvements which in­
cludes repaving, additional bikeways,
new wheelchair ramps, and in the
River District, new sidewalks, the
a n il
Two New Vice Presidents Join
American Minorities Media
American M inorities Media is
pleased to announce that Mr. Kent
Carthan and Mr. Tony Jones have
joined our company as Vice Presi­
dents o f National Sales. Every A fri­
can-American publication will ben­
efit from their proven success in
bringing business to this marketplace.
Mr. Carthan and Mr. Jones join a
seasoned team o f minority profes­
sionals at American Minorities M e­
dia already providing unsurpassed
account management, media place­
ment services, and cutting-edge tech­
nical innovation to advertisers, agen­
cies, and publishers.
As proud sponsor o f the N a­
tional N ew spaper Publishers A s­
sociation and W est C oast Black
Publishers A ssociation, and as the
leading official representative ot
the N ational A ssociation ot H is­
panic Publications, we are in the
best possible position to cross-sell
advertising into the African-A m eri-
addition o f signalized intersections
and pedestrian crossing, lights, and
street trees.
Traffic Signal Priority: The bill
provides $4.5 million to equip 800
buses with devices known as optical
emitters. When these buses approach
traffic lights, the emitters will send a
signal activating the light to turn
green. The bill also includes funding
to install signal receiving equipment
at 100 key intersections.
Pedestrian to Max Boulevards in
Gresham: The bill allocates $ 1.282
million for the design and construc­
tion o f pedestrian-friendly boule­
vards on two m ajorarterials, linking
with phase one o f the pedestrian to
Max improvements currently under
construction.
Tri-Met Bus Grants: This grant
for $3.5 million will be used to pur­
chase additional buses needed when
Portland’s W estside light rail system
opens in September. Tri-M et, the
region’s transit agency, will be ex­
panding the bus service to provide
access to the new line.
The even works as a pledge drive
for 5K walk and run from W ater­
w o rk s P ark th ro u g h o u t fort
Vancouver Historic site and Officer’s
row. By bringing hundreds o f com­
munity service groups together, each
to raise their own funds, the Human
Race creates a collaborative event
showcasing the services available in
our community and non-profits to
raise funds for their organizations.
W ecoordinate all details o f the event,
provide materials and guide people
through the process, all they have to
do is to tap into their support net­
w ork,” said Sheridan Thompson,
ADVERTISE in
discount per ride. Each o f the 20
rides could be used at any tim e and
shared w ith others.
• Lift cash and ticket prices would
increase 25 cents - the new cash
and ticket price w ould be $ 1.25.
Lift fares currently cover less
than 5% o f the cost to provide each
ride, w hich is $ 15. D iscounts cu r­
rently offered through m onthly and
annual passes have resulted in fre­
quent Lift passengers paying as
little as 35 to 40 cents per ride.
The citizens C om m ittee on A c­
cessible T ransportation (CA T) will
review the revised proposal in a
public hearing on April 15. The meet­
ing begins at 9:30 a.m. with public
Jßortlanb ODbaeruer.
Call US a t: (503)288 0033
American Minorities Media
American Minorities Media
can print m arketplace.
As alw ays, Luisa Donis, AMM
M arket D irector, will continue to
handle all publication inform ation
and media recom m endations to our
national sales staff. She may be
reached at 805-968-8007 Ext. 1 14.
Please jo in us in w elcom ing Mr.
Tony Jones and Mr. Kent C arthan
to A m erican M inorities M edia e f­
fective April 6.
“ Releasing Our Faith In '98"
Rpril 24, 25 & 26, 1998
Friday: April 24th @ 7pm
Worship Service at Community A.M.C. Zion Church
360 5 €. 13th St. Vancouver. WA.
Saturday: April 25th @ 9am-3pm
Mentor fit Fellowship Day at Bagley Community Center
4100 Plomondon
Vancouver, WA.
Sunday: April 26th @ l l a m
Worship experience at Community A.M.€. Zion Church
3605 €. 13th St. Vancouver. WA.
9 TO 5
SPECIALS!
Popeyes knows you work
r hard for your money so
w ere giving you a h ard ­
working chicken deal! Choose
ither New Orleans spicy or
Louisiana mild chicken, then
choose either our 9-pc. spe-
L cial for just $ 7.99 or our
■
5-pc. special for just
£4.49.9 to 5 has
w
Human Race Event Coordinator.
Many groups and individuals that
have participated in the past have
already signed on for this year.
T here w ill be several inform a­
tional m eetings scheduled in the
near future for interested non-prof­
its and other organizations to at­
tend.
For more information and regis­
tration details contact one o f the fol­
lowing volunteer centers:
In Vancouver: The Volunteer Cen­
ter at 360-694-6577
In Portland: The Human Services
Council at 503-222-1355
com m entât 10:20 a.m. The meeting
is scheduled in the Portland Build­
ing, 1120 SW Fifth Ave., Second
floor, Room “C .” Comments are also
invited by writing to: Tri-M et Board
o f Directors, 4012 SE 17th Ave.,
Portland, OR 97202; or by calling
238-RIDE (7433), TTY 238-5811,
or by e-mailing to com m ents@ tri-
met.org
The Tri-M et Board o f Directors
will formally hear the proposal, along
with other proposed general fare in­
creases at its April 22 meeting. The
Board meeting begins at 3:30 p.m. in
G resham C ity H all, 1333 NW
Eastman Parkway. The public is in­
vited.
T o n y J o n e s, Vice President
Annual City Wide
YouthEnrichment Program
J
n o v a r b o o n F io ttp rl
01998 AFC
Enterprises, Inc.
Tri-Met Proposes Smaller
Lift Pass Increase
ri-M et is reducing a proposed
increase for the Lift in response
ustomer comments.
ri-Met m onthly pass is now pro-
:d to increase $ 10, effective Sept.
998. The new pass would cost
. Earlier proposals suggested
linating the monthly passorrais-
the fee to $44. The Lift provides
r-to-door rides for seniors and
pie with disabilities.
)ther elem ents o f the earl ier pro-
ais remain intact:
onthly passes would allow un­
ted rides and would be non-trans-
ible
20-ride punch card for $23 would
:stablishcd, providing a lO cent
K e n t C a r th a n , Vice President
Youth
Jam
•98
1998 Volunteer Centers' 6th Annual
Human Race Accepting Registrations
The Volunteer C enters’ are once
again gearing up for their annual
Human Race. The Volunteer Center
in Portland and The Volunteer Cen­
terin Vancouver will again join forces
to create a great walk and fun run in
beautiful Vancouver. The event has
been scheduled for Saturday, July
25.
Ir\its short five year life, the Hu­
man Race has raised over $500,000
in contributions for participating non­
profit organizations. The event is
designed to help any non-profit
agency or organization raise much
needed funds.
I ndustry
j Triple Play |
«gpexes
i
cM( ÇK1 N 8. fl)S € |j> r s
■
I
I
$3."
3 Legs, Thigh & 3 Biscuits i
Spicy or Mild
S
Present coupon when ordering. One coupon pcrvisit. Void where prohibited. Not valid with any other offer. I
Good at participating Popeyes only. 1998 AFC Enterprises, Inc. Otter Expires: April 26.
■