Motoring Today Column

Jul 13, 2016

I'm sure a lot of you who are reading this are already wondering and thinking that somehow that's not how the old adage goes. It should be, "If it ain't broke, why fix it?"

Let me assure you that you are absolutely right. It sort of looks like it's all jumbled up but it's not. My column headline ain't jumbled up.

When we say, "If it's broke, why bring it back?" we are referring to what some recent newspaper reports say that there are moves to bring back drug testing for those who apply for driver's license.

This idea is broke, so why bring it back? It doesn't work. So why adopt it again. As a matter of fact an amending legislation was crafted and passed into law just to put a stop to it. Because it simply doesn't work, at least not the way it was being done.

I took a drug test myself when I applied for renewal of my driver's license. And I surely found out that a rogue applicant could easily go around the requirement because nobody strictly checked whether it's really the applicant's urine that is placed into the receptacle that's provided. A vial can easily be hidden inside the pants of the applicant and deposit somebody else's urine (a non drug user's) inside the container unhampered and pass the test with flying colors.

Besides, some doctor-friends of mine have assured me that all an applicant for a driver's license has to do to pass the test is to stop using drugs for a couple of weeks before the drug test. Even if the applicant were a habitual drug user it would not show, not the way the drug tests were being done before.

It would take another kind of drug test, a prohibitively more expensive one, which looks into hair strands that can determine drug use and abuse of even months past.

I also have a friend who used to run drug-testing centers who apprised me that the system of the exercise actually assured its failure. If I'm not mistaken the protocol called for the drug-testing center to report drug test failures and underwrite the cost of a confirming second drug test on these applicants who were found positive. In such an arrangement the drug center's more practical reaction is to just advice the failing applicant to clean up for a couple of weeks or months and come back to take the test again.

I hope I won't be misunderstood here. I believe in drug tests for drivers but perhaps it would be better if they would be mandated and required for all drivers who get involve in serious road accidents that cause extensive damage, injuries or death, immediately after. It can also be done randomly on all drivers of public utilities (jeepneys, city and provincial buses and tricycles).

A law that would surely unmask illegal drug users, especially when they have caused serious road accidents may more effectively deter drivers from using drugs while driving. Or if they had, they would have to be extra careful that they don't get into any accidents for they would surely be detected and punished. Or even be shot in sight, which is getting to be fashionable lately?

Transporting commuters while deliberately under the influence of drugs, consciously endangering passengers' lives is more unconscionable than petty drug pushing. Both are wrong and illegal but the former can have more devastating immediate effects with prospects of causing the loss of life and limb to many.

Let's forget about reviving drug tests for driver's license applicants. It doesn't work. Let's just require drivers involved in road accidents to take them immediately after, aside from regular random drug tests in PUV terminals. Probably just a Presidential Executive Order can make this happen. I really don't know. One thing I do know is that it's simpler and less expensive.

Honda was one of those that came up with notable figures in their models' fuel efficiency. Out of their eight models that participated, the Honda Jazz 1.5 VX CVT registered the highest rating of 28.60 kilometers per liter of fuel. It was also the best fuel performance in the country's overall class of sub compact Hatchbacks.

Here's how the other Honda models extraordinarily performed during the 280 kilometer run where the speed is constant at 80 kph with the aircon running at full blast.

According to Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) president and general manager, Toshio Kuwahara as early as 2004 they have started introducing Euro 4 ready car models in the Philippines and by 2015 was first among auto brands to obtain Euro 4 certification from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for its locally manufactured and imported vehicles.

Aside from Honda's clearly stated concern for the environment through its pioneering efforts in the country in promoting the use of Euro 4 fuels, Kuwahara-san adds, "Moreover, in the midst of the increasing fuel costs, Honda believes that the new technologies and advancements in its engines promotes fuel efficiency and help its consumers save on resources for other essential commodities."

"Since the introduction of the all-new Ciaz, the number of inquiries and request for test drives we have been receiving has pleasantly surprised us. With this overwhelming response, we believe that the Ciaz will one of our bestsellers this year and contribute significantly to the company's continuous growth" stated the beaming Shuzo Hoshikura, general manager of Suzuki Philippines after the spirited test drive of the approving bank executives.

Last year Suzuki Philippines registered a whooping 52% year-on-year growth owed greatly to the Ciaz's very impressive market acceptance.

And if you missed any of its past episodes, check out its website, www.autofocus.com.ph.