Drunk Drivers-a bane in our roads

We are happy to note that the MMDA or the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has finally taken up keen interest in curbing the deadly practice of driving while drunk – the cause of innumerable loss of lives and limbs.

But with all due respect to the new leadership of the MMDA, the approach being applied to address the problem, which is to ask or compel business establishments, to limit the sale of alcoholic beverages especially at night may be a little roundabout aside from being problematic or impractical.

To begin with, limiting the right of “non-driving” individuals to have some form of entertainment and relaxation through drinking in order to stop those “who actually drive” from having “too much” may be a case of human rights violation.

Now how to define “too much” can also be debatable. As we all know different people have different levels of tolerance for alcohol, medicine or anything. The effect of six bottles of beer on some people can be the equivalent of just one or two to some.

In the light of all these complications, the best thing to do for the MMDA is to lobby among all Metro Manila Mayors for an immediate “Metro-wide” passing of an ordinance that would make it unlawful for anyone to drive under the influence of liquor with a specified illegal level of blood alcohol content. Simultaneous to this should be the purchase of all necessary equipment to measure blood alcohol content, which should be readily available for use of our law enforcers.

Think about it.

Successful Auto Review Run

It was a five o’clock early morning call time at the Bonifacio Global City last Saturday, September 25 for some 2,000 runners that participated in the 4th Auto Review Run for Road Safety and Courtesy.

Organized by the TV producer/host Ron delos Reyes, the event also marked the 16th year of broadcast of the television program Auto Review, which spotlights the latest automobile models, auto industry events and developments plus other features of human interest like travel, etc.

The event, aside from being a race, also included the display of some of the current automobile models highlighting their safety features.

Autoindustriya is 10 in 2010

It was in September 5, 2000 that the Philippine automotive website autoindustriya.com was born in cyberspace. A brainchild of partners Brent Co and Benjamin Ngo, the website was envisioned to be for all things automotive and as a forum in which automobile enthusiasts can have their say and interact.

To commemorate the momentous event a party dubbed AI 10@2010 was held at Amber Ultralounge at The Fort of the Bonifacio Global City last September 22.

The automotive website offers unique contents like the Industryfinder, an automotive business directory for automotive service shops and a Car Buyer’s Guide wherein users can browse through the vehicle specification for all models available in the country from Philippine manufacturers and authorized importers distributors.

Congratulations, Brent et al.

It’s turning out to be a tight race

We have here the latest tally (as of Monday, September 27) of votes for the BDO 2010-2011 Auto Focus Automobile of the Year – People’s Choice Awards.

Subcompact                Sports Car

Kia Rio                        Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Toyota Vios                 Audi R8

Hyundai i10                 Chevrolet Camaro

Compact SUV             Compact Sedan

Hyundai Tucson          Isuzu Crosswind

Kia Sportage                Chevrolet Cruze

Toyota RAV4              Toyota Altis

Midsize SUV               Midsize Sedan

Kia Sorento                  Hyundai Sonata

Mitsubishi Montero      Sport    Audi A6

Hyundai Santa Fe        Toyota Camry

Minivan                       Large SUV

Kia Carens                   Toyota Prado

Toyota Previa              Porsche Cayenne

Mitsubishi Grandis       Toyota Landcruiser

Large Sedan               Fullsize Van

Porsche Panamera        Hyundai Grand Starex

BMW 7 Series              Kia Carnival

Subaru Legacy             Toyota Hiace

Pickup Automobile of the Year

Mitsubishi Strada         Kia Sorento

Nissan Navara             Hyundai Tucson

Toyota Hilux               Hyundai Grand Starex

The last Philippine STAR ballot (worth 3 votes) can be found today here in the motoring section and you have up to October 2, 2010 to send this ballot together with those from the July, August and September issues of Top Gear magazine (by mail or courier) to Sunshine Television, Valle Verde Country Club, Capt. Henry Javier Street, Pasig City. The online voting through our website  www.autofocus.com.ph closes at midnight of September 30.

Those who vote stand the chance of winning prizes like overnight stay for two at Vistamar Beach Resort & Hotel at Anilao, Batangas, dinner for two at the Sports Den of Valle Verde Country Club in Pasig City and Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards T-Shirts from the September draw of the names of all those who voted to be held on the first week of October.

This is the last chance for you to vote and win.

Viewers’ Advisory

We have received inquiries regarding the airing of Auto Focus, the country’s premier auto TV news and features magazine, especially from those that subscribe to Global-Destiny Cable who have been missing the show for several weeks now.

For one reason or another, which we are not privy to, HSN or the Home Shopping Network, where Auto Focus, the weekly Motor Show on television airs, had ceased its broadcast on the Global-Destiny Network.

However, its broadcast over Sky Cable Network continues and Auto Focus can be watched by Sky Cable subscribers, as always every Thursday evening at 10 o’clock.

In the same token, Motoring Today, the 23-year old “weekend viewing habit” can now be viewed on Sky Cable, Channel 70 every Sunday at 12 noon while you guys are having your Sunday lunch.

Motoring Tip of the Week

You may not be aware that a vehicle’s leaking exhausts pipe or busted muffler can cause death directly or indirectly.

When the exhaust pipe or the muffler, or worse both are not working well and have leaks, your vehicle’s emissions could seep into the cabin, especially if your automobile is not very new.

Carbon dioxide or CO2, the greater part of your vehicle’s emissions presents itself naturally as odorless, which means that the possibility of inhaling it in big quantities without knowing it is not remote. And ingestion of too much CO2 can cause the loss of consciousness and eventual death.

Indirectly, the loss of consciousness due to the body’s absorption of too much carbon dioxide, especially while driving can lead to a fatal accident.

It’ll only take a while to have your exhaust pipe and muffler checked at the service station for leaks. That’s time worth spending if it can mean your life or the life of others.

Happy Motoring!!!

For comments: (E-Mail) [email protected].