Thursday, June 21, 2007

Police test drive Smart cars


Parking officers using environmentally and economically sound Smart cars in pilot project
Jun 20, 2007 04:30 AM Robyn Doolittle Staff Reporter

At 6-foot-4, things get a bit squishy for parking officer Otimoi Oyemu in his division's new Smart car.
His knees protrude eight centimetres above the bottom of the steering wheel. He can easily place one hand on the windshield and the other on the back window. And to reach the police radio, Oyemu has to twist his chest into the passenger seat to get around his own leg.
Despite the tight squeeze, Oyemu says he enjoys zipping around town in the Smart cars – even if they max out at about 100 km/h.
"It's a great little city car. We don't need to go too fast," he said yesterday on patrol. "And it's very easy to park. It can fit in all kinds of tight spots."
For the past month, parking enforcement officers have been cruising around in two Smart cars emblazoned with police logos and strips. The force is also testing out a pair of Civic hybrids. This environmentally – and economically – smart pilot program will run until next February. If suitable, Toronto police may adopt the pint-sized cars on a larger scale.
Read full story here.

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