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EnCompass®
The AAA Companion |
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January | February 2005
Volume 79 Issue 1
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Member Feedback
Thanks for
saving teen lives
We applaud your work on behalf of teenage drivers. The statistics bear the truth of how dangerous driving is for our teens and how unprepared they are for the responsibilities of the road. You are saving lives with your public campaign! Thank you.
—Beth and Aaron Long, email
Common sense
out the window
I felt I had to respond to the letter in the Nov./Dec. issue about teen driving laws. Leaving the responsibility to parents just isn't the answer.
When I was a teenager, my parents taught me everything about driving safely. Yet, when I got into a car with several of my friends, all common sense went out the window and I was very lucky I didn't hurt myself or someone else with some of the stupid driving I did.
The laws are put in place to help young and inexperienced drivers
gain the maturity they need on
the road. It's not a punishment. Parents and these laws need to
work together.
—Eric Parriott, email
Parents need to
be responsible, too
As the mother of a teen son that just got his permit, and living in Colorado, I am all too aware of the issues with teen drivers. Too many children are dying. My observations have led me to the conclusion that parents need to be responsible for
the types of cars they are buying
their children...16-year-olds are
driving souped-up cars that can
go 200 mph... That, and when there are more than two teenagers in any situation together, they all lose their minds!
—Sherri Flesner, email
Rollins Pass
correction
I especially enjoyed your article in the November/December issue about Winter Park. However, I believe there is one mistake…You wrote that Moffatt Tunnel cuts under Rollins Pass. If my information is correct, Moffat built his "compromise," non-profitable railroad "over" Rollins Pass. Moffat Tunnel was completed in 1928 under James Peak, mainly to bring water from the western slope to the cities along the Front Range.
—Mary Lou Harvey, Colorado Springs
Editor's Note: EnCompass checked with Jim Bain, director of the Ski Train. He states that a temporary train track was laid over Rollins Pass before the tunnel was built, but the tunnel does, in fact, go under Rollins Pass. Additionally, he added that the tunnel (started in 1923, finished in 1927 and opened in 1928) was built primarily for the train, not for bringing water to the Front Range, as Ms. Harvey says.
Principal differences
Yes, probably "many of us know little" about annuities (as declared in an article in the November/December EnCompass). But can we trust a financial writer who does not know the difference between "principle" and "principal"? It is good when your investment advisor has upstanding "principles" so he/she can guarantee return of "principal," but they are not the same.
—Mary Hatlestad, Lakewood
Editor's Note: Thank you for the correction. While our proofreading abilities failed in this case, the financial advice offered in the article is still sound.
The truth
about octane
Your article on "Car Tales or Truths?" brought up a question we have had for a long time regarding availability of various octane ratings in Colorado. Although 87 octane is available in surrounding states as "regular gas," in Colorado, "regular gas" is only 85 octane. In Colorado, 87 octane is considered mid-grade and is priced about 10 cents per gallon higher. Our question is: why do Colorado drivers have to pay more per gallon for the same gas (87 octane) that is considered regular gas in any other state?
—Dale and Joan Alyea, Pueblo
Editor's Note: The Energy Information Administration (EIA) of the Department of Energy defines gasoline grades as: Regular: Octane rating greater than or equal to 85 and less than 88. Midgrade: Octane rating greater than or equal to 88 and less than or equal to 90. Premium: Octane rating greater than 90. For high altitude locations, such as Colorado, the EIA also says that octane ratings may vary by 2 points.
Because of such latitude, refineries have set regular grade at 85 octane, mid-grade at 87 octane and premium at 91 octane in Colorado. Other factors involved in pricing include supply and transportation costs as well as local taxes which vary from state to state.
What does this mean for your car?
AAA Colorado recommends checking with your auto technician to determine which grade level would work best for the type of vehicle you have and your driving needs. Your car might operate well using the next lower grade of gasoline such as 85 octane.
Let us hear from you
Reader comments and questions are welcome. An editor's note may be printed along with your letter, if deemed necessary. Letters under 200 words are considered first. Letters published in EnCompass do not necessarily reflect the opinion of AAA Colorado and, due to space limitations, we reserve the right to edit for length and clarity. Send letters to the editor, EnCompass, 4100 E. Arkansas Ave., Denver, CO 80222. Fax to: 303-300-7710. E-mail:
editor@colorado.aaa.com. Letters become property of AAA Colorado and are not returned.
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