ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, March 13, 1997 TAG: 9703130053
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO WHAT'S ON YOUR
SOURCE: RAY REED
Q: Your recent column about headlights being required when it's raining was timely. Can you provide us reliable data showing that having headlights on will prevent accidents? G.L., Roanoke
A: This is an aggressively researched answer: There have been no reliable studies on the effects of using headlights in the rain.
That's the conclusion of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the American Automobile Association and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
The Illinois Department of Transportation attempted a study, but its methods were questioned by engineers, and the study wasn't released. For what it's worth, the gossip grapevine says a beneficial effect from using lights would have been reported.
Information that's not scientific, but more on point, came from 18 focus-group interviews with truck and bus drivers for the Federal Highway Administration in 1994.
Truck drivers said cars often are hard to see, especially when weather reduces visibility. Suggestions included having all vehicles' headlights turned on any time wipers are in use.
That's reason enough. My headlights will be on whenever it rains, because I want truckers on Interstate 81 to be able to see me. Car drivers, too.
Tobacco fine points
Q: What are the detailed rules for limiting tobacco sales to people under 18? Can underage people buy cigars, pipe tobacco, rolling papers and loose tobacco? What are the specifics on advertising and vending machines? D.S., Roanoke
A: Teen-agers, who bought a reported $1.26 billion a year in cigarettes despite laws in 50 states, still can buy cigars and rolling papers.
Cigarettes and smokeless products, including snuff and chewing tobacco, cannot legally be sold to anyone under 18. Loose tobacco for roll-your-own cigarettes also is off limits.
"What's a cigar?" becomes the obvious question, because tobacco already is sold in cigarette-size packs labeled "cigars."
The Food and Drug Administration, which developed these rules, doesn't regulate or define cigars. A cigarette, the FDA says, is a "roll of tobacco wrapped in paper."
New rules on vending machines and advertising are to take effect Aug. 28. Tobacco companies are in court claiming these rules violate their First Amendment rights of free speech.
If these rules stand up, advertising will change dramatically. Black-and-white text will be required on billboards, store displays and in magazines teens read.
Those colorful "Joe Camel" cartoon ads will be history.
Tobacco ads on billboards and signs will be prohibited within 1,000 feet of elementary and secondary schools and public playgrounds.
Vending machines and self-service racks in stores will be allowed only in adult areas such as nightclubs where people under 18 are not allowed.
The rules would prohibit tobacco brand-name sponsorship of race cars and other sporting and cultural events. Sponsors still could use their corporate names, though.
It would be OK, for example, to rename NASCAR's Winston Cup racing series the RJR Nabisco Cup - for the holding company of Winston cigarettes.
Legal, yes, but not likely.
Got a question about something that might affect other people, too? Something you've come across and wondered about? Maybe we can find the answer. Call us at 981-3118. Or, e-mail RAYR@Roanoke.com
LENGTH: Medium: 70 linesby CNB