Wednesday, July 29, 1998 ICBC’s new graduated licensing program hits the road this Saturday By Lee Torgalson Peninsula News Review At first, Justin Robertson thought it was a big rip-off. Just five days before his 16. birthday, the Insurance Cor- poration of B.C. introduced the first steps of their new graduated.licensing program. Under guidelines for the pro- gram, new drivers applying for their learner’s license between May 4 and July 31 were required . to wait a minimum 90 days — in- stead of the previous 30-— before taking their road test. The GLP comes into effect in full this Saturday, August 1. . “I was kind of upset at first. I thought it was a rip-off that was missing out bya mere five. days,” Robertson told The Re-» view last week. ‘But after thinking about it for awhile, the Sidney teen _ now says he sees the value. in the new program. . “Actually, I think it’s pretty good. If it keeps new drivers from ‘having’ so many acci- “dents'and getting killed, then ° it's OK by me,” “he said: “Many » first-time drivers . = flocked to local licensing agen-: OF EXPERIENCE IS KEY Justin Robertson, 16, agrees graduated licensing will help | young drivers get a better feel behind the wheel. = tween. the doors before the new regulations are officially os put i in place this Saturday: - After that, new drivers will: a be required to pass written and “ vision tests before moving into - “the learner stage. = _ That stage lasts a minimum : six: months,’ but can: be’ re ‘must display a red sign with - the letter ‘Lin their rear win- rent driver's license, and can’t _.drive: between the hours of.’ midnight and 5 a.m. =. LOCAL NEWS ~ During that. time, drivers © apply for a commercial license. “?’'m really in favor of the zero tolerarice for alcohol. That. dow, must be accompanied by. an adult in possession of a cur- “even have halfa beer: and ‘go driving,” Robertson said: } ‘any amount don’t mix, soit’s a - means that new drivers can’t: “New drivers and alcohol in. LEE TORGALSON PHOTO termediate stage, which lasts ‘18 months. Some of the previ-” ous restrictions are lifted, but - drivers are still required to dis: “. play a sign in their rear window © . — this time a green letter ‘N’: “Once through this’ stage, drivers take another road test PENINSULA NEWS REVIEW S Program lengthens learning curve for new drivers er: = ae Pe Soe: TE Pe AR ne ge ee ac receive a full, unrestricted dri- ver’s license. “It takes a lot longer, but I think it’s worth it,” Robertson said. And local law enforcement officials agree the new pro- gram holds promise, espe- cially for young people apply- ing for their first licenses. “When you look at it from a broad perspective, it can’t be anything but good,” said Cen- tral Saanich Deputy Police Chief Andy Rosequist. “It may seem like a bit of a hassle for some, but we lose so many young people through accidents that really could have been prevented. with more experience.” Sidney-North Saanich RCMP Sgt. Brian Muir said he has just reviewed the statistics from a similar program in On- tario and hopes to. see the game results here in B.C. _“There was a significant drop i in numbers of serious-in- . » jury accidents and fatalities. I think that’s very promising. | think it’s an. excellent pro- gram,” he said. " The main thing, he said, is - ‘that. the program targets. prime. candidates for vehicle accidents — new ‘drivers. -And.as a young, new driver ward to getting his experience behind the wheel... “At least I kaiow: rm have: himself, Robertson looks for- ~ “cies before the program’s May | “As well; there is a zero toler- «:: good rule,” he said: aod introduction, and many.more. : : -ance.of alcohol allowed in their. After passing a road test, the : that’s designed to be more dit jots of confidence when Ym fie 2 duced to three months if an ap.” “are expected to try to slip be. proved driving course is taken By Lee Torglson : Peninsula News Review ~The Ministry of Transportation and Highways. ‘won't be fale ing any decisions regarding Highway 17 without a member of Central Saanich council sitting on its advisory board. MOTH is currently on the verge of reviewing, assessing and developing “optimal and affordable highway improvement alter- natives which meet the short: and long-term objectives of High- way 17 in the vicinity of Central Saanich.” Part of that process 1s is to establish an advisory board, which MOTH officials envision would consist of a member of the min- istry, the Transportation Finance Authority, District of Central - Saanich and an individual representing the industrial and com- mercial sector of Central Saanich, ©: mas erat wt oe ia oad, Li ere Siunicipal & engineer Al Mackey, there was no room cane at the 7 blood stream and they can not. table for an elected member of council. : But Central Saanich politicians have told Jay Cunningham, Se “