YOUR AUTO COLUMN
Presented by Kevin & Sue Anne Donohoe

When families and friends go for rides, it is a time-honored tradition to stake an early claim on the “shotgun” position (the front passenger seat). However, if you find yourself relegated to the middle of the backseat, you can take consolation in the knowledge that it is the safest seat in the vehicle. According to researchers from the University of Buffalo, people riding in the middle of the back seat are 25 percent safer than other backseat passengers. They are also 59 percent to 86 percent safer than front-seat passengers. The reason for this is that the backseat middle is surrounded by the largest crush zone, which is the area of the vehicle that absorbs shock during an impact.

This column on safety is brought to you by our entire staff. We take safety very seriously, always treating your vehicle with the utmost care because we know how much you and your passengers rely on your vehicle. We appreciate your business, and provide personal service to each and every customer. Let us perform preventative maintenance on a regular basis before that happens. Here at Pacific Motor Service, we are committed to excellent customer service, and quality work. That’s a promise.

P.S. Failure to use a seatbelt in the backseat reduces your chances of surviving a crash by a factor of three.

Kevin and Sue Anne are the owners of Pacific Motor Service

Located at 500 E. Frainklin St. here in Monterey