Drunk drivers beware!

I doff my hat to national Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) Director Roberto Rosales for his present clamp down on drunk drivers.

It’s about time!

I have written about a case against a drunk driver who caused injuries to a group of employees who just came merrily from a badminton game some years back. The blockhead was reeking with liquor and incoherent (as documented in the police report) when questioned by investigators. This was despite the fact that it took him some time to show himself up to the police precinct in his efforts to appear sober.

The investigation showed that harebrain tried to beat the red light or to be more specific “ran a red light” and in the process “t-boned” the vehicle he hit or smashed it broadside.

Now, here’s what took the cake – he filed a suit against the driver and the owner of the vehicle the lamebrain smacked for damages.

Well, the case is still pending with another blockhead of a judge who, probably for a couple of thousands of reasons, keeps on postponing the hearing for every imaginable reason presented by his co-dunce.

I hope the concerned judge gets to read this and gets to know what he really is to the eyes of the public – that is if he even gives a damn.

If these efforts of Director Rosales were to be taken seriously by the higher authorities we would definitely have fewer accidents on the road, considering that driving under the influence of liquor or prohibited drugs is the number two cause of accidents second only to driver error.

Based on reports, the no-nonsense director of NCRPO has requested the DOTC, MMDA and LTO to provide the police with the necessary equipment (breath analyzers) to expediently determine the soundness of a person to take the wheel – calling on DOTC Secretary Mendoza, MMDA Chairman Fernando and LTO Chairman Lumibao to prioritize this over other expenses for the sake of the general motoring public.

It would also be best for the authorities to look into the clamor of many law-abiding drivers to institute a SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) to have drivers involved in accidents for a mandatory alcohol and drug test immediately after the incident and for the results of the test to be a required entry into the police report – mahirap bang gawin yon?

Mitsubishi’s new Galant

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines (MMPC) describes the newly launched 2010 Mitsubishi Galant SE as “a model that exudes class and sophistication, being loaded with stylish and high tech features that best suit an executive car.”

And last week, July 8 a slew of motoring journalists were invited to have a short hands-on driving and riding experience with the new 2010 Galant SE to Tagaytay City. MMPC avp for marketing services Froy Dytianquin and ad & promo manager Arlan Reyes deliberately designed a route that had a lot of turns, the final destination of which was kept a secret in order for us to totally utilize its fully functional Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) Navigation System, vaunted to be a first in its class. The system can direct you to your selected destination visually through the Galant’s 7-inch in-dash monitor located in the center of the dashboard. The system is also capable of providing other helpful information such as streets, major buildings and establishment names, speed limit of certain streets, etc.

Aside from having more legroom for its passengers, which, because of my having long legs, I couldn’t help but notice, the inside of the new 2010 Galant has seats that are wrapped in glove-soft leather, with an 8-way power adjust with lumbar support standard for the driver while the passenger seat has a 4-way power-adjust.

Powering the new Galant SE is a 2.4-liter MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve Timing and Electronic Control System) engine. The 4G69 MIVEC engine provides numerous advantages over its predecessors. Throughout its construction, Mitsubishi engineers were said to have found ways to increase efficiency and durability while simultaneously reducing weight and emissions. The power and efficiency of this 4G69 MIVEC is harnessed by Mitsubishi’s fully advanced and intelligent INVECS-II 4-speed automatic transmission with sportronic feature. This transmission studies the driver’s driving habits under a variety of conditions and uses two shift control programs to determine the best balance of power, control and efficiency. A tiptronic shifter is available and can be controlled on the shift lever or through the steering wheel.

The smooth ride and stable handling, which many of those who came for the test drive noted were attributed by MMCC engineers to an all-wheel independent suspension system with McPherson struts with stabilizer bars up front and multi-link with stabilizer bars at the rear.

Now here’s a real treat to all audiophiles, the new Mitsubishi Galant SE is also equipped with a full entertainment system which features an original equipment DVD/CD/MP3/FM & AM band audio system with Dolby Digital 5.1 feature. This Dolby Digital feature f the audio system is complemented by the 12-way speakers with 10-inch subwoofer and a center speaker.

Features of the 2010 Galant SE that safety-conscious motorists would value include dual stage SRS airbags, a rearview camera plus front and reverse parking sensors that make parking maneuvers effortless and safe. The central door locks also has an auto lock feature once the vehicle moves to 5 kph.

For those who can’t get away from incoming phone calls or making these while on the road, the 2010 Galant SE audio and video system has Bluetooth connectivity function with mobile phones. Taking calls while driving has been made easier and safer with this feature. Once the mobile phone is paired via Bluetooth, access through the phone’s directory as well as making phone calls can be made through the steering wheel mounted controls.

There’s no denying the remarkable sales performance of Mitsubishi Motors Philippines despite the current challenging times, having wrestled back the second highest sales rank in the country and the entry of the 2010 Galant SE is viewed as an added factor to further strengthen its present position in the market as confirmed by MMPC’s president and CEO, Mr. Masahiko Ueki statement, “The intro of the all new Galant reinforces MMPC’s passenger car line up and gives us the opportunity to improve further our total passenger car market share.”

MMPC’s present remarkable sales performance is also attributed to the record-breaking sales of their Montero Sport, which now comes in different variants including 4x2s and models with manual transmission. According to the friendly MMPC evp, Mr. Taizo Furuhashi, “We are currently selling an average of 700 units a month with a waiting time of 60 to 90 days, which we are working on to improve in order to satisfy our customers’ demand.”

MMPC’s current senior vp for marketing, Mr. Orlando Alvarez, Jr. in his first on-cam interview with our TV shows, Motoring Today and Auto Focus views the present welcome situation in a wider perspective. Buboy cites not only the remarkable line up of models that they currently offer plus the presence of their wide network of dealerships all over the country but also to include the goodwill that the brand has earned having been here in the country, through thick and thin, for quite a long time.

The 2010 Galant SE has an introductory price of P1,588,000.00 and is available in three colors – Merlin Black, Excalibur Silver and Nicolei Grey.

Congratulations to Mitsubishi Motors Philippines.

Watch the Singapore F1 race with a mint BMW

Well, it’s really as simple as that. You bring your BMW to any authorized dealer for service and maintenance and meet the minimum service and parts charge and you instantly receive a BMW-Sauber Driver Cap plus corresponding tickets to a raffle draw.

What’s the prize of the raffle draw?

The lucky winner shall get to watch the Singapore F1 Grand Prix for free – complete with airfare and accommodations for two, grandstand tickets plus invites to the BMW F1 Sauber Team Party at Zouk – a Formula One fan’s ultimate dream.

There will also be three winners to be flown to Macau to watch the World Touring Car Championship in November.

That’s a mint BMW after a professional check and service from an authorized BMW dealer and a chance to win an exciting opportunity to watch either the Singapore or Macau Grand Pries.

The BMW Pit Stop program is up to August 31, 2009.

What’s you favorite automobile?

Vote for your favorite vehicle model and help determine the country’s most popular automobile of 2009 – the Auto Focus Automobile of the Year – People’s Choice and get the chance to win fabulous prizes.

There’s a voting ballot here in The Philippine STAR’s motoring section and you can write in your choice for “2009 Automobile of the Year” and mail it or bring it to Sunshine Television, Valle Verde Country Club, Capt. Henry Javier st., Pasig City.

Should you want to vote for your favorite model in each of the 12 categories (sedan, SUV, AUV, van, pick up, sports car) you can get hold of copies of Top Gear or Speed magazines.

And if you’re a radio buff you can tune in to your favorite pop music station Magic 89.9, Monday to Thursday from 12 noon to 3 pm with hosts CJ and Susie guiding you on how to cast your vote.

Each vote translates to an individual chance to win fabulous prizes for the grand raffle scheduled right after the polls, which ends on September 30.

Happy Motoring!!!

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