Jil McIntosh

Why all the CAFE in the world won't make a difference ...

 My local landscape is changing again. A farm here has moved out all of its horses, the survey stakes are in the ground, and the "presentation center" is being erected to sell the cookie-cutter houses that will go up on the land. This is now a regular occurrence in the rural area where I live.

If it's like every other subdivision around here, it will consist of hundreds of single-family houses (and will be named for the farm/creek/forest/orchard it destroyed). Any non-house land use will be restricted to schools, parks, and perhaps a church. There will be no stores or businesses within the maze of cul-de-sacs. Public transit may run up and down the main street outside, but not within the development itself. If you want a quart of milk, you'll need to get into your car and drive to get it.

My area isn't unique. This is happening in areas all over North America, and it's why fuel economy standards and hybrid cars and electric vehicles are never going to be enough. For some reason, we only look at the puzzle pieces, and we never try to put them all together.

We complain about pouring tax dollars into truly improving public transit. We let various municipalities work against each other, rather than harmonizing their systems, effectively preventing the seamless bus and train service that we need to get from one end of a huge metropolitan area to the other. We've gutted our railways, making highways the only options between towns. We refuse to give up portions of our roads to bicycle lanes, making it dangerous and inconvenient to use them as serious transportation.

Our municipal governments bend over backwards to (or more likely in front of) developers, giving them access to huge tracts of unserviced rural land, while city lots surrounded by infrastructure stay vacant because it's not as easy to build on them. Adding insult to injury is zoning that prevents people from being able to work or shop within walking distance of their houses. If you want to live in a subdivision, you have to own a car.

And yet, the only ones held accountable in all of this are the automakers, who are under ever-increasing government pressure to squeeze out another quarter-mile per gallon, and keep in another gram of CO2.

We've put a Band-Aid on the bruised finger. The problem is, we then just keep hitting it with the hammer.

I'm MADD as hell ...

 ... or maybe more disappointed than anything, when I look at MADD Canada. In case you're not aware of it, that's the Canadian arm of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

This all stems from an article I did for Canadian Driver. I was putting together our last pieces before our Christmas shutdown, and it popped into my head that we should have something on how to get home safely after imbibing at holiday celebrations. I wanted to include such things as national or local designated driver services and programs.

I didn't have a lot of time to research it -- it had to be finished in about an hour -- and so I went to MADD Canada's website, figuring I could link to whatever list of options was there. To my absolute surprise, there was nothing.

There was no mention of the volunteer service Operation Red Nose, even though it operates in various communities across nine provinces, and provided over 68,000 rides in 2008. #TAXI's logo is on MADD Canada's site, but only because it's a sponsor. TAXIGUY is not mentioned.

There are no links to various public transit authorities across the country, where people can find out about holiday schedules. There are also no links to private designated driver services.

I understand that organizations often have to pussyfoot around corporate sponsors, that some of these services are supported by others, and that many of them are private, for-profit companies. But aren't we talking about saving lives here? Aren't we talking about a reduction in impaired driving? Why isn't MADD making available all information that can help reduce impaired driving?

No matter who runs it, no matter who supports it, MADD should have a comprehensive listing, from coast to coast, of services that drivers can contact when they've had too much to drink before driving. Write up a note saying you don't endorse the services, if necessary, but make them available.

What do you get on MADD Canada's website? From the front page, there are five links for various ways to spend money, including giving to the Red Ribbon campaign, getting a MADD affinity credit card, becoming a corporate sponsor, or shopping at MADD's online store. There's a big thank-you to the largest corporate sponsors.

Other links include an essay on why MADD doesn't want liquor stores privatized; a request for people to volunteer for MADD; a list of other don't-drink-and-drive organizations; and lots of statistics. In its favor, the association also has a great deal about its victims services, which is important stuff.

But the only thing I can find directly related to being on the road is a reminder to dial 9-1-1 if you see a suspected drunk driver, with a list of what you'll need to tell the emergency operator, and a few reminders to "drive sober."

Here's my belief: you can show people all the videos you want, throw all the statistics you want, offer all the victim services you want, and people will still get behind the wheel if it's more convenient for them to drive home.

MADD Canada should be the premier site for information on how to get home. It should be one-stop shopping for information on transit, cabs, programs, services, and anything else that gives people an alternative to driving home. It doesn't cost a lot: send out a request for links, have someone verify them, and then post them on the site. Simple and easy. When MADD does that, it will truly be a driving force in the fight against impaired driving.

Those who forget history ...

Chrysler has a new ad campaign, "Coming Home," meant to tell customers that it has emerged from bankruptcy and has a "healthy product plan," according to the company.

The ad shows a variety of Chrysler Group products, starting with a 1930s Airflow. It's considered a "classic" automobile today, but obviously someone didn't do enough homework. Back in 1934, the all-new Airflow was soundly rejected by buyers, and was actually the company's first sales flop.

Some Automotive Musings ...

Over the years, through more cars than I can count, I've noticed many little things. For no reason other than because they popped into my head, I've tossed them all together here. See what you think.

- I suspect that many vehicles have numerous cubbies primarily for the sake of the salesman, especially if they're in the back of hatchbacks. I'm talking about the tiny bins hidden between the main under-floor bin and the back of the wheel well, or pockets in the liftgate, or the little storage areas you uncover when you pull a plastic panel off the cargo area's side. I don't believe anybody actually puts stuff in them. Rather, when the salesman's walking you around the vehicle in the showroom, it's one more thing he can uncover, to oohs and aahs of potential customers who marvel at how many hidden compartments this thing actually has.

- I think tire pressure monitoring systems, or TPMS, are among the most unnecessary auto technologies thrust upon us. I've had at least a half-dozen false warnings due to changes in temperature so far this winter. They let drivers believe that it isn't necessary to check their tires, because "the car will tell me" -- even though the systems are designed to warn at a level that may be dangerously low. That level was set when the government listened to the automakers, who wanted one simple percentage across the board, and not the tire manufacturers, who wanted individual warnings for vehicle and tire combinations based on safe pressure. The U.S. government has mandated TPMS. Transport Canada says it won't unless the systems are proven worthwhile. So far, we don't have TPMS up here. What does that tell you?

- Artico leather, Alcantara suede, Escaine leather -- how fancy they all sound. I wonder when the auto brochure writers will figure out that we know they're fake cowhide.

- And am I the only one who firmly believes that the vast majority of "spy shots" -- upcoming models supposedly snapped by photographers who somehow gained access to the vehicles at test tracks or hidden locations -- are actually released by the automakers themselves? C'mon, folks, there's no way on earth the carmakers are dumb enough to let the paparazzi in on it if they really meant to keep it quiet.

Electronic stability control: Now in Canada

The Canadian government has announced that, as in the U.S., electronic stability control will be mandatory on all new vehicles as of August 2011. Transport Canada says that vehicles so equipped are involved in fewer severe collisions involving loss of control.*

This means that anti-lock brakes will also be standard, along with airbags, new roof standards, and in the U.S., tire pressure monitoring systems. I fully expect curtain airbags and active head restraints to be added in future, too.

Our roads won't be safer because cars are equipped with all these systems. Our roads will be safer because no one will be able to afford a car anymore, and there won't be as many people actually driving.

*And all of this is after-the-fact, because the governments will never mandate the two things that would truly make a huge dent in the number of vehicle collisions and fatalities -- real driver training with periodic re-testing, and properly-maintained, season-specific tires.

My Best and Worst of 2009

Each year, the paper asks the writers to describe their best and worst experiences of the year. You can find mine by clicking here.

In review: 2010 Hyundai Tucson

In today's Toronto Star, I have a look at the 2010 Hyundai Tucson, which you can find by clicking here. 

Lexus: The end of an era

Automakers always trumpet the latest-and-greatest technologies, but they're usually quiet when they retire something. That's the case with the features list on the Lexus SC 430 convertible.

Younger readers won't get this, but those my age will: it's the end of an era. Unlike the 2009 model, the 2010 offers only a CD changer. The cassette player is gone.

Lexus was the last holdout, and now the music system that I remember taking the world by storm has officially gone to its grave. R.I.P., tape cassette. I wonder how long the CD will reign in your stead.

The greatest car chase movie EVER!

Forget Bullitt. Forget The French Connection. Forget The Italian Job and Ronan and Jade.

THIS is the greatest car chase movie EVER.

What's weird in the auto world ...

Huh? That's pretty much my reaction when I read some of the stranger tidbits from press releases, owner's manuals and news snippets. So, being the packrat that I am, I collect them all and send them out once each year for all to enjoy. This year's are online in the Toronto Star and you can find them by clicking here.

Traffic Cones: A Scientific Study

You drive by them on the side of the road, and never give them another thought. You notice some are different, but then your attention goes back to whatever's playing on the radio. Sometimes, you've even mowed them down in cold blood on a racetrack.

They're traffic cones. And it's time you paid attention to them.

You can find out more at the Traffic Cone Preservation Society. Spend some time getting to know these fascinating creatures. I'll bet you didn't know that they've evolved over millions of years, that there are numerous species, and that some are even endangered. You can even join the Society and help to make others aware of how important these cones really are.

Chip Foose loves tractors, too!

John Deere got in touch with me and told me about a new project -- Chip Foose is customizing a 1970s Model 4020. Not only that, but someone will win it. Canadians can enter the contest, too. The full story's at John Deere.

Goodness, I'm famous!

The group Autowriters.com profiled me for this month's newsletter! It was quite an honor to be asked. You can see the article by clicking here.

In review: Jaguar XFR

 On Canadian Driver, I have a review of the 2010 Jaguar XFR, which you can find by clicking here. 

Trucks, trucks, trucks ...

I have a series of articles in the Toronto Star's special truck and SUV supplement.

First up is my list of Top Five SUVs Under $35,000. Then I have three information stories: one on truck terminology, another on the difference between an SUV and CUV, and information on towing.

Jaguar wins Women's World Car of the Year

Earlier this week, the winners of the Women's World Car of the Year awards were announced, with the Jaguar XF taking the overall crown.

I was one of the judges, and my editor at the Toronto Star asked me to put together an opinion piece on the award. You can read my response by clicking here.

A sneak peek at the Ford Heavy Duty pickup

  In today's Toronto Star, I have a look at the 2011 Ford Heavy-Duty pickup -- they didn't let me drive it, alas, but I did get to spend time at the farm show! You can find it by clicking here.

In review: 2010 Toyota Sienna

On today's Canadian Driver, I have a review of the 2010 Toyota Sienna, which you can find by clicking here.