ASF- AECAFE

By Alexis Economy

The Glad Shack, adjacent to the cafeteria, once sold drinks and snacks but now it sells school spirit items and apparel.

Currently a coffee shop is under construction in the school's library. As of now there is no definite date set for its opening.

The lay out of this high schoo l cafeteria is similar to the lay out of a mall food court.

The Clarke Central High School Cafeteria offers healthy lunch options, such as fresh vegetables at the salad bar.

The Clarke Central cafeteria has six lines that serve a variety of foods, including pizza.

Edited by: Lauren Willson

ASF- ABCar

Car theft is always a risk when leaving a car parked in an open parking lot or parking garage. Help yourself by protecting your car from theft.

The 10 most-stolen cars in Georgia for 2008, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau were:
1) 1994 Honda Accord
2) 1994 Honda Civic
3) 2004 Ford F150 Pickup
4) 1994 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee
5) 1990 Chevrolet 4x2 Pickup
6) 1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass
7) 2002 Ford Explorer
8) 2000 Dodge Caravan
9) 1999 Ford Taurus
10) 1997 Toyota Camry


Here are some tips from the UGA Police website about how to prevent vehicle theft:
1) Make sure you don’t leave the keys in your car or leave your car idling while unattended.
2) Check that your doors and windows are locked at all times.
3) Hide valuables, such as Ipods, GPS devices and cell phones, or take them with you.
4) Set your car alarm or use a steering wheel lock.

While nothing is guaranteed, taking measures similar to these will help prevent your car from being broken into and/or stolen.

Edited by: Dana Hortman

ASF-Zingo Athens profile

Who? Zingo Athens
What? Athens premiere designated driver/chaffeur service
Where? 398 Foundry Street, Athens, Georgia 30601
How? Call Zingo at 1-866-75- NODUI (66384)
When?
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Wednesday, 8 p.m.-3 a.m.
Thursday-Saturday 8 p.m.-4 a.m.
Closed Sundays. After hours service available by appointment.
Cost: $10 pick-up, and $2 per mile


Name: David Iezzi
Age: 23 years old
Hometown: Vidalia, Georgia
Employed: 8 months
Job description: Zingo dispatcher; answers calls, routes drivers; used to drive for Zingo.
Quotes:--“We have one driver that is on duty during the weekdays.”
--“The amount of customers we have using Zingo depends on if there is a home game in town or not. On game day weekends, we make about 25 to 35 rides. On nongame weekends, we have 16 to 18 rides.”
--“I like my job, except for the fact people get mad because of the wait time.”
--“I would agree that Zingo is better than taxis, because for one, you have your car the next day. Second, you know the person is legit. Not to mention it is cheaper if you pack more people in.”


Name: Brian Miller
Year/major: Senior journalism major at UGA
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Employed: working since mid-June, 3-4 months
Job description: Zingo driver
Quotes:
--“I have many stories, but nothing that can be printed.”
--“What I like most about my job is that I get to meet a lot of people, especially bar owners.”
--“I also like when I get big tips from customers.”
--“One time, I drove 98 miles, past Watkinsville to Madison, then back to Athens.”


Name: Winston Murray
UGA alumni
Hometown: Newnan, Georgia
Employed: Over a month
Job description: Zingo driver
Quotes:
--“I don’t have too many crazy stories; nothing that really sticks.”
--“I have one sad story though. I was driving this guy and his dog, Gizmo, home one night. During the ride to the guy’s place, Gizmo had pressed his paw down on the button and jumped out of the backseat window. We didn’t notice the dog had been missing until we got to the guy’s place. The guy was distraught, screaming and crying. It was sad. I didn’t ever find out what happened to Gizmo.”


Name: Matt Fuller
Year/major/school: Freshmen healthcare science major at Athens Tech
Hometown: Powder Springs, Georgia
Employed: A couple of months
Job description: Zingo driver
Quotes:
--“I really like my job a lot. It’s a good chance to make money. Also, I get to help people out.”
--“I lost one of my best friends recently. He was driving home one night and a person drinking and driving ran into him.”
--“On my first night as a driver, I made $100 on tips from the same customer. They tried to force me to go to a party with them. They even threatened to beat me up if I didn’t go.”


Edited by: Ashley Bene

Technology Devices Are Attractive in Car Break-Ins

by Ashley Bene

After a long day of classes, University of Georiga student Lindley Curtis walks to her car parked in the North Campus Parking deck without worrying.

Despite the “crime emergency” the Athens-Clarke County Police declared near the end of the summer, the senior public relations major from Jonesboro, Ga., doesn’t worry too much about what she’ll find when she gets there.

Despite her friend’s car being broken into last year, she still doesn’t worry too much. Her friend left his iPod on the front seat, which she thinks sparked the break-in. She said she takes her iPod and GPS device with her whenever she leaves her car.

“I’m very conscious of my surroundings and I make sure every time I leave my car that I pick everything up off the seat,” Curtis said.

While the Athens “crime emergency” hasn’t affected on-campus crime, the University of Georgia Police Department warns students to be safe and keep their personal items out of their cars.

Corporal Darrell Ponder of the UGA Police Department said that while on-campus vehicle break-ins haven’t been on the rise this semester, students should always take precautions to keep their valuables like iPods or laptops safe.

“Lock your doors,” Ponder said. “Roll up your windows, and anything of value, take it with you.”

Thieves tend to be looking for things they can grab quickly, according to Ponder. Small electronics items like iPods, GPS devices, or even laptops are most likely to attract thieves. Even change in the center console can spark a break-in.

“The main thing we find is a lot of the time people leave items of value in their car,” Ponder said.

Although being on a campus can make students feel safer, Ponder warns against students letting their guards down. He says people forget UGA is an open campus, and its not just people from outside breaking into cars either. It can be students too.

“Sometimes people just walk by and pull on door handles and if the car is unlocked, they get your stuff,” Ponder said.

Jennifer Bell, a sophomore Spanish and geography major from Lawrenceville, Ga., says she went to a police seminar about staying safe around campus.

“After going to that, I definitely stepped it up.”

Bell said she keeps valuable items, like her iPod, on her at all times. The only things she leaves in her car are clothes or similar personal items.

“I set my car alarm, but I feel that no one’s going to steal anything,” she said.

Ponder warns that parking decks tend to be the most heavily hit. They are more difficult for police to patrol because of the many levels.

Parking lots closer to downtown are also more likely to be hit.

Felicia Johnson, the Digital Imaging Coordinator in the UGA Main Library, said she feels especially safe parking in the North Campus Parking deck, but she still tries not to leave items of value in her car.

“I don’t intentionally leave items of value in my car,” she said. “If I do, it was an accident.”

And as for using a car alarm, Ponder cautions that it’s not a sure-fire safety device.

“Alarms go off so much, they don’t mean anything to people,” Ponder said. “If the police hear an alarm, we’ll usually go investigate though.”

Ponder said sometimes students who come from small towns or affluent areas aren’t as diligent about locking their car doors as they should be.

Curtis said crime in her hometown has made her more aware.

“I have to take those precautions whether I’m at home or in Athens” Curtis said. “It’s just something that, because of where I grew up, it’s a habit.”













A student walks to her car in the Reed Hall Parking lot.
(Photo/Ashley Bene)

Edited by Dana Hortman

Shuttle 5500 hits a bump in the road, due to permit issues

By: Alexis Economy

Shuttle 5500 was off to a good start, and had found its niche in the Athens shuttle scene. Everything seemed to be running smoothly, until permit issues began to arise. These issues have forced Shuttle 5500 to stop running until November, in an attempt to sort out and fix their permit problems.

The service, started by business partners James Tomol and Jordan Dyce, is part of a management class, titled Management 5500 (also the namesake of the shuttle business), taught at the University of Georgia through the Terry College of Business. The class, taught by Christopher Hanks, allows students to formulate their own business plans and then actually launch the proposed business ideas during the semester.

According to Hanks, while many business schools offer similar classes that enable students to develop a business plan, only UGA offers a class where students are able to start and run their own businesses.

“We are the only entrepreneurship program in the country with an exclusive focus on launching the actual business,” Hanks said.

Why launch a shuttle service on game day in Athens when the city already has numerous taxis and vans?

According to James Tomol, a senior management major from Sarasota, Fla. and also the group leader of Shuttle 5500, to create an experience.

“We don’t want to be a commodity; we want to be compelling and provocative,” said Tomol.
That is what you get with Shuttle 5500; a new kind of game day ride experience.

That is what you get with Shuttle 5500; a new kind of game day ride experience. While on the ride guests can play trivia games about Georgia football or talk about experiences at the University and the Terry College of Business. By coincidence many of Shuttle 5500’s passengers are alumni of the Terry College of Business.

“Most of our customers are UGA alum and more specifically Terry alum, so most of the time we just end up talking about Terry and different business related issues,” said Tomol.

Along with gaining business experience, the young men of Shuttle 5500 are also allowed the opportunity to network and talk business strategy, which is quite an asset.

According to Lisa Bedgood, an alumni of Terry College and an Alumni Relations Associate with the Terry College of Business, “Networking is one of the most important skills a business student must develop. Paired with a solid education, it is a vital component of a successful career. Established Terry alumni can render a large world intimately small. One contact turns into ten and ten quickly multiplies to 30. Subsequently, students should seize any opportunity to build these skills.”

In addition to trivia and good conversation, guests are offered the option of purchasing chips or soft drinks and are even offered free pizza. During its first weekend of business, Fox’s Pizza, a Pittsburgh-based pizza and sandwich franchise with locations in Athens and Watkinsville, sponsored Shuttle 5500 and donated pizzas to be distributed on the rides.

According to Tomol, the business is hoping to get more sponsors and to work out a deal where if you buy a Shuttle 5500 T-shirt and wear it to the sponsoring businesses, you would be eligible for different deals at the businesses on the T-shirt.

Through this T-shirt idea Tomol and his business partner Jordan Dyce, a senior management major from Atlanta, Ga. are hoping to make the service free. Currently Shuttle 5500 is looking for more advertisers to cover its main costs, so the T-shirt can be a benefit to using the shuttle service.

However, the search for more advertisers is not meant to imply that this business venture has been unsuccessful. In fact, it has been quite the opposite. With only one weekend under its belt, the business can already boast serving approximately 200 guests.

“On our first weekend we began running at around 9 a.m. and then started again about an hour after the game ended. We did not finish until around 4 a.m. It was crazy,” said Dyce.

The shuttle picks up at mainly the Howard Johnson, Hampton Inn, and the Country Inn Suites near the intersection of Atlanta Highway and Alps Road and makes pick ups and drop offs about every 30 minutes. The shuttle picks up guests at the three hotels and then drops guests off at the bus stop near the arch in downtown Athens.

With parking costs soaring to $40 and taxis costing $10 and upwards per person, Shuttle 5500 seemed to have found its niche in offering a unique and full experience (for nearly no cost) to Georgia fans on game day.

However as with any other business venture, there are risks involved and numerous problems often arise. The problem that arose for Shuttle 5500 was in relation to the permit required by shuttle services that charge its customers. Neither Tomol nor Dyce could not be reached to offer more information on the problem and possible solutions. All that is known now is that Shuttle 5500 is taking a break and will up and running again in November.

Christophter Hanks (above) is the instructor for Managment 5500.

(Photo/Alexis Economy)

The Hampton Inn, located at the intersection of Atlanta Hwy and Alps

Road, is where Shuttle 5500 picked up the majority of its passengers.

(Photo/Alexis Economy)

Edited by Lauren Willson

Designated driver business thrives in the Classic City

Students Jacie Hortman (Left) and Georgia-Kay Lumpkin (Right)

wait patiently on Zingo, Athens premiere desginated driver service.

(Photo by Dana J. Hortman)

By Dana J. Hortman

ATHENS, Ga., -- It’s Friday night in the Classic City.

You hit up your favorite local hot spots—Terrapin, General Beauregard’s, The Winery.

Several hours and drinks later, the world isn’t looking as clear as it had when you drove downtown. Panicked, you’re probably thinking, “How am I going to get home?”

The solution: Zingo Athens.

The popularity of Zingo Athens is continuing to prosper with business from university students who choose to use a more alternative form of transportation when leaving the bars.

It was launched in April 2008 by three local Athenians: Scott Allen, Matt Presnell and Travis Presnell. Zingo Athens is an Atlanta-based charter that offers Athenians a truly one of a kind driver/chauffer service.

The Zingo’s designated driver arrives at the customer’s location on a Di Blasi, an Italian manufactured folding motorbike.

Before using Zingo’s services, the customer must sign a Customer Service Contract.

Then, the R series Di Blasi motorbike, 64 pounds dry and 70 pounds wet, is folded up into a canvas tote and placed in the trunk of the customer’s vehicle.

Lastly, the Zingo designated driver drives the customer’s vehicle to his or her location, removes the motorbike, and returns to the Zingo headquarters located downtown.

“I think it’s about the same as taking a taxi,” said Ashley Hall, a senior advertising major from Lawrenceville, Ga. “The same risks are involved. Some random person is driving you home. Hopefully, you’re not alone in your own car; because the driver knows you’re alone and where you live.”

“I think Zingo would be safer for students, especially females,” said Jamarl Glenn, a University of Georgia alumnus. “The fact is most people can recognize the Zingo drivers because of their standard uniform and scooter. But, you don’t really know the taxi driver.”

The Atlanta-based company, Zingo Transportation, Inc., was founded in October 2005 by entrepreneurs Jim Valentine and Charles Barfield.

A year later, they were joined by PX Head, who is currently the company president.

According to an interview posted on DarynKagan.com, Head was involved in a drinking and driving accident that killed his friend and fraternity brother, Benjamin Hawkins on June 11, 2004.

Head and some friends, including Hawkins, had been out drinking and were on their way home when Head lost control of the car and hit a utility pole.

He was charged with vehicular homicide, and was sentenced to 30 days in jail and two years of probation.

As president, Head resides over all nationwide development of the Zingo concept.

The Classic City is the 12th city across the nation to adopt this extraordinary form of designated driver services.

“I’m not familiar with Zingo, but it seems like a good idea,” said Sumner Bain, a senior psychology major from Atlanta. “One of the main reasons I don’t go downtown is because I live out too far from downtown and taxis are expensive, especially going back and forth from the bars.”

“I guess I would try Zingo, because then, I know my car wouldn’t get towed or I wouldn’t have to find someone to drive me back to my car the next morning,” Hall said.

While some students would consider using Zingo, others wouldn’t because of the expenses.

“I think the price is still a little high for students,” said Ansley Burgess, a junior animal science major from Hartwell, Ga. “It wouldn't be too bad for people closer to town, but I personally would not pay that much for it.”

The cost is a $20 pick-up fee, which includes the first 3 miles, plus a $2-per-mile thereafter.

Pricing also includes a 25 percent discount for students, including those who attend the University of Georgia.

“The 25 percent discount does help, but overall, it is still too pricey for me being a college student with low funds,” Burgess said.

For customers interested in utilizing Zingo’s services, the Zingo Web site recommends calling 30 to 40 minutes in advance of when you want your driver to arrive.

The expected time of arrival for a Zingo driver can range anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes. However, times may vary.

Edited by: Ashley Bene

Shuttle 5500 has found its niche in Athens shuttle scene

By: Alexis Economy

Searching for something more than just a regular taxi ride to campus on game days? Then catch a ride with Shuttle 5500, Athens’s newest and most innovative game day shuttle service!

The service started by business partners James Tomol and Jordan Dyce is part of a management class taught at the University of Georgia, through the Terry College of Business. The class, taught by Christopher Hanks, allows students to formulate their own business plans and then actually launch the proposed business idea during the semester.

According to Hanks, while many business schools offer similar classes that enable students to develop a business plan, only the University offers a class that concentrates primarily on launching the actual business.

“We are the only entrepreneurship program in the country with an exclusive focus on launching the actual business,” said Hanks.

So why do a shuttle service on game day in Athens, when the city already has numerous taxis and vans?

The answer, “to create an experience,” said James Tomol, a senior and management major from Sarasota, Fla. and also the group leader of Shuttle 5500.

“We don’t want to be a commodity we want to be compelling and provocative,” said Tomol.

That’s what you get with Shuttle 5500, a new kind of game day ride experience. While on the ride guests can play trivia games about Georgia football or just talk about experiences at the University and the Terry College of Business.

“Most of our customers are UGA alum and more specifically Terry alum, so most of the time we just end up talking about Terry and different business related issues,” said Tomol.

In addition to trivia and good conversation, guests are offered the option of purchasing chips or soft drinks and are even offered free pizza. During its first weekend of business, Fox’s Pizza sponsored Shuttle 5500 and donated pizzas to be distributed on the rides.

According to Tomol, the business is hoping to get more sponsors and to work out a deal where if you buy a Shuttle 5500 shirt and wear it, you are eligible for different deals and savings at the businesses on the actual shirt.

Through this t-shirt idea Tomol and his business partner Jordan Dyce, a senior and management major from Atlanta, Ga. are hoping to make the service free. Currently Shuttle 5500 is looking for more advertisers to cover their main costs, so the t-shirt can just be a benefit or option to using the shuttle service.

However the search for more advertisers is not by any means meant to imply that this business venture has been unsuccessful thus far. In fact, it has been quite the opposite. With only one weekend under its belt, the business can already boast serving approximately 200 guests.

“On our first weekend we began running at around 9:00 a.m. and then started again about an hour after the game ended. We did not finish until around 4:00 a.m. It was crazy,” said Dyce.

The shuttle picks up at mainly the Howard Johnson, Hampton Inn, and the Country Inn Suites near the intersection of Atlanta Highway and Alps Road and makes pick ups and drop offs about every thirty minutes. The shuttle picks up at the three hotels and then drops guests off at the bus stop near the arch in the downtown.

With parking costs soaring to $40 and taxis costing $10 and upwards per person, Shuttle 5500 seems to have found its niche in offering a unique and full experience (for nearly no cost) to Georgia fans on game day.

Volvo's Alcoguard gets mixed reviews in the United States

By: Alexis Economy

Soon it may be mechanically and physically impossible to drive while drunk, at least in Europe.

Many leading car manufacturers are conducting tests and research in Europe and Asia with new technological devices that will not allow a car engine to start if the driver has had more than the legal limit to drink.

While this is good news for Europe and Asia, the big question is when will this device make its debut in the U.S.?

The answer to that question is not anytime soon.

According to Brian Buffington, Sales Manager of Volvo of Athens, the Alcoguard is not something that Americans are interested in or receptive to.

“The American public has not bought into the product, so I don’t think we are looking to bring it to the U.S. just yet,” said Buffington.

Despite the consensus of the American people, students at the University of Georgia seem to be more receptive to the idea.

Paul Brieske, a freshman and history major from Stone Mountain, Ga. said that he would definitely use the device.

“Well, I don’t have a car right now, but yeah if I could I would get one so that I can tell whether I was safe to drive or not,” says Brieskse.

Cortney Dodson a senior and nutrition science major from Carrollton, Ga. agrees with Brieske.

“I would definitely do it. It makes a lot of sense and it keeps people who shouldn't be driving off of the roads. It benefits not only the actual driver, but also everyone else who could potentially be driving at that time” said Dodson, when asked if she would add the device to her car.

While there is enthusiasm amongst students about the device, University of Georgia police Chief Jimmy Williamson does not think that Alcoguard is necessary. Despite the fact that 520 out of 600 alcohol and drug related offenses reported were alcohol related, according to the UGA police Web site.

“I’m not real big on implementing these devices. Most of our DUI and alcohol-related offenses could be dealt with if people just changed their drinking habits. When I talk to students I ask them why they have to get wasted every time they go out. If they could just change that mentality then we would not have problems, said Williamson”

Chief Williamson also said that the DUI rate has decreased significantly in recent years and has hit a plateau. He credits this to risk takers. “Laws are for law abiding citizens, they set the social standards. However you are always going to have those risk-takers who do not think that the law applies to them."

Regardless of differing opinions on the matter, Swedish-based Volvo exclusively offers the Alcoguard as a feature on cars mainly in Sweden. The company launced the device in 2007, and is expected to release the devices in all of Europe within the next few years, and eventually to the United States.

Alcoguard is handheld and allows drivers to blow in and receive instant results on their blood-alcohol content level.

It is stored in the center console and has a simple color system to notify drivers of the their results.

In Sweden, the legal limit is .02 g/l.

If the driver has results of less than .01 g/l, the engine will start and a green light will appear. For a 150 pound man or a 120 pound woman, this means consuming one beer over a period of one hour.

If the results are close to .02 g/l, the engine will start and a yellow light will appear. However, the driver will be notified that he or she should not drive. For a 150 pound man or 120 pound woman, this means consuming one and a half beers over a period of one hour.

If the results are greater than the legal limit, the engine will not start and a red light will appear. For a 150 pound man or a 120 pound woman, this means consuming two beers or more over a one hour period of time.

The device will also notify the driver if he or she needs to exhale for a longer period of time.

The results are stored for thirty minutes, and then the test must be repeated.

Alcoguard is removable so it does not have to be used on a daily basis or for a quick trip to the grocery store.

According to Volvo's Web site, this device was developed to decrease alcohol-related accidents. As a result, insurance companies are discussing the possibility of a discount on insurance as an incentive to use Alcoguard.

For more information on Alcoguard, contact your local Volvo dealership or log on to the official Volvo website: http://www.volvecars.com/us.

Edited by Dana Hortman and Ashley Bene

Students have growing interest in GPS as smart phone applications

Students have growing interest in GPS as smart phone applications

By Ashley Bene

Stand alone GPS devices are being phased out for GPS applications on smart phones.
(Photo/Ashley Bene)

Smart phones are a hot commodity on the University of Georgia campus.

Already these phones have taken over the jobs of many other devices. Students can store and listen to their music and use the Internet, among other downloadable applications, on these phones. But what about using their phones to find their way around Athens when they are new to the city as first year students?

In past years, the sales of stand-alone GPS devices have increased consistently. With the recent economic downturn, however, the trend has taken a new direction.

2009 has seen an increase in the number of people buying iPhones and other smart phones that will allow them to use GPS instead of having to buy a stand-alone GPS device, according to an article in the New York Times.

Brandon Banks, a sales associate at the Apple Store on Lexington Road, said he has seen a lot of college-age students looking for iPhones in the store. While the GPS application is not their main concern, he said it is a beseeching feature.

“In general, it makes the iPhone more appealing,” said Banks. “It’s just one less thing that you have to carry around and keep up with.”

Sarah Burr, a sophomore double major in history and philosophy from McDonough, Ga., seemed to have the same opinion. She said she would find a GPS device very helpful in Athens, and she would be interested in having GPS as an iPhone application instead of a stand-alone device.

“Then I’d have my music, phone, and directions all in one place,” said Burr.

Devon Gibson, a freshman majoring in international business from Cartersville, Ga. and Ryan Michalak, a junior majoring in real estate from Valdosta, Ga., shared different opinions.

Michalak felt that paying the one-time fee for a stand-alone GPS device was a better deal than buying an iPhone and paying a monthly fee for the application.

Gibson, who already owns a GPS-application-capable Blackberry, just doesn’t see a need to pay the monthly fee for the feature. He just uses Yahoo Maps to plan his trip before he leaves.

Banks says the cell phone GPS applications run off the same operating system as the stand-alone devices, so there usually are not discrepancies between the two. There are no added features that the smart phone GPS devices have that the stand-alone devices do not.

There are some changes that could be made to GPS devices to make them more appealing to college students, however.

For Burr, it’s all about the cost. She said her main reason for not already having a GPS is the price.

“I just have other expenses that are more pressing,” said Burr.

Michalak expressed interest in a GPS that comes with Lane Assistance.

“It shows you a picture on your GPS so you can see which lane you’re supposed to be in,” he explained. His doesn’t have the feature, which would help him navigate the interstates through Atlanta.

Gibson said he would use GPS if it was free on his cell phone, or he said he could see himself using it if he moved to a different part of the country. Until then, GPS manufacturers will probably not be receiving his business.

While some students choose to stick to planning their trips ahead of time through Google maps, many are opting for the spontaneity a smart phone with GPS can provide.

Edited by Alexis Economy and Dana Hortman

Georgia follows cell phone ban trend in U.S.

by Dana J. Hortman

ATHENS, Ga., - Athens drivers, be on the lookout for new legislation regarding cell phone bans.

With the latest restrictions going into effect in Texas on Sep. 1, many states, including Georgia, are cracking down on cell phone usage while driving.

The new Texas state law forbids the use of cell phones by 18 year olds and under.

In addition to this law, Texas also banned cell phone usage in school zones during enforceable hours unless the vehicle is stopped or a hands-free device is used.

Six states including California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from talking on handheld cell phones while driving.

A recent study done by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute showed that the average driver talking or listening on a cell phone is at a 1.3 times greater risk of crashing than a non-distracted driver.

In addition, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that cell phone usage and other driver distractions contribute to 25 percent of all police-reported traffic crashes.

Georgia has a law that prohibits the use of a cellular phone and other communication devices by a school bus driver.

There is one other Georgia law on distractions causing accidents.

“If a person involved in an accident was distracted by anything, cell phone, loud music, they’d be charged with a misdemeanor offense,” said police Lt. David Coker, head of Traffic Division with the Athens Clarke County Police Department.

Besides these two restrictions, no other state law on cell phone usage while driving exists.

However, a bill proposed in the Georgia legislature, House Bill 23, could change that for Georgia, which will affect Athens drivers, if passed.

The proposed bill prohibits the use of wireless telecommunications devices by persons under 18 years of age with an instruction permit or Class D license while operating a motor vehicle.

It also details the penalties for these violations such as adding penalty points to driver’s licenses and possible suspension.

“I would be more than pleased to see this bill pass. It would actually make me feel better and have a peace of mind when I am on the road,” said 18 year old Mary Grimshaw, a freshman theatre major from Marietta, Ga. “I also think it is especially good for our demographic, because we haven’t had enough experience on the road.”

Earlier this year, the Georgia House of Representatives voted and passed the proposed bill on to the Senate.

“I voted in favor of the bill because there are some classes of drivers, obviously, who need these provisions such as ones with learner’s permits,” said state Rep. Doug McKillip, D-Athens. “But, it should not be limited for other drivers.”

Though the proposed bill places cell phone restrictions only for younger drivers, many others outside the proposed bill demographic are concerned with the general population and safety issues.

“I think banning cell phones, in general, is a good thing,” said Chelsea Colgan, a junior marketing major from Statesboro, Ga. “I’ve read that most car wrecks are caused by this. They need the restrictions for safety purposes. Is it convenient? No, but it’s safer.”

Aaron Paul, a sophomore pre-dentistry and biology major from Athens, Ga., said, “The ban would make the roads much safer for everyone. Also, it would not have many implications for the social lives of people either. The call can wait until you are at your destination.”

As of March 26, the Georgia Senate read the proposed bill for a second time and is awaiting further review. The next Senate session begins in January.

To learn more about the bill and other Georgia state bill proposals regarding the usage of cell phones, log on to the official Georgia General Assembly Web site http://www.legis.state.ga.us/.

Edited by Alexis Economy/Ashley Bene

Not all Georgia drivers will be affected if the bill is passed.

(Photo by Dana J. Hortman)

Alcoguard: the newest technology in drunk driving prevention

By: Alexis Economy

Soon it may be mechanically and physically impossible to drive while drunk, well in Europe at least.

Many leading car manufacturers are conducting tests and research in Europe and Asia with new technological devices that will not allow a car engine to start if the driver has had more than the legal limit to drink.

The leader among the manufacturers is Swedish-based Volvo. Volvo currently offers the Alcoguard, which it launched in 2007, as a feature on cars mainly in Sweden. Volvo is expected to release the devices in all of Europe in the next few years, and then eventually to the United States.

This device is handheld and allows drivers to blow in and receive instant results on their blood-alcohol content level. The device is stored in the center console and has a simple color system to notify drivers of the their results.

In Sweden the legal limit is 0.2 g/l, so if the driver has results of 0.0 to0.1 l/g the engine will start and a green light will shine. If the results are 0.1 to 0.2 g/l the engine will start and a yellow light will shin, however the driver will be informed that he or she should not drive. If the results are 0.2 g/l or greater then the engine will not start and a red light will shine. The device will also notify the driver if he or she needs to exhale for a longer period of time. The results are stored for thirty minutes and then the test must be repeated. The device is removable so it does not have to be used on a daily basis or for a quick trip to the grocery store.

The Alcoguard was developed to lessen alcohol-related accidents and as a result, insurance companies are talking about offering a discount on insurance as an initiative to use the device.

While this is good news for Sweden, and Europe in general, the big question is when will this device make its way over to the United States. The answer to that question is not anytime soon. According to Bryan Buffington, Sales Manager of Volvo of Athens, the Alcoguard is not something that Americans are interested in or receptive to.

“The American public ahs not bought into the product, so I don’t think we are looking to bring it to the U.S. just yet,” said Buffington. Despite the consensus of the American people, students at the University of Georgia seem to be more receptive to the idea.

Paul Brieske, a freshman and History major from Stone Mountain, Ga. says that he would definitely use the device. “Well, I don’t have a car right now, but yeah if I could I would get one so that I can tell whether I was safe to drive or not,” says Brieskse. Cortney Dodson a senior and Nutrition Science major from Carrollton, Ga. agrees with Brieske. “I would do it…I think it’s smart,” said Dodson, when asked if she would add the device to her car.

Other manufactures such as Toyota, Nissan, and Saab are said to be developing similar devices and conducting similar studies, yet when contacted, no sales representatives at Toyota, Nissan, or Saab could offer any type of information. They simply said to check the Internet.

For now it does not look like the Alcoguard will make its way across the ocean to the United States, but if DUI and drunk driving accident statistics continue to rise that could very well change.

For more information on the device, contact your local Volvo dealership or Brian Buffington of Volvo of Athens.