Editor:
Friday evening on Highway 101 there was thunder in the air and a smell that gave motor enthusiasts of bygone days the label “petrol heads.” Unsurprisingly, there was no shortage of such people gathered along the road to watch the annual Sleepy Hollow Run as both classic and hot-rod cars cruised to Halfmoon Bay.
There is something about old automobiles that appeals to both older people, teary-eyed with memories of their childhood, and small children, who seem enthralled by the roar of old cars rushing by.
Nevertheless, as popular as the Sleepy Hollow Run is, there is a problem…a serious one.
Generally I’m not a killjoy or over sensitive about safety. But I have owned classic cars from the 1950s and ‘60s and I do know that unless modified, old vehicles don’t usually stop as quickly as modern vehicles.
This may not have mattered at the front of the rod procession where two police motorbikes ran side by side, and travelled so slowly that they caused the early cars to move at a snail’s pace. However, once the vehicles were strung out along the route, some drivers were inclined to hold back until they got to a group of people by the roadside and then let rip — to the delight of a great many children.
This in itself might be considered a problem, but drivers of old vehicles tend to know their limits and barring a freak accident, this might not be of primary concern.
However, combine the behaviour of the occasional “burst of speed” driver with those who were driving slowly to allow passengers to throw handfuls of candy, and the real danger emerges: most of the sweet treats arrived safely on the verge, but many a bright sugar rush fell short and bounced along the road, followed by an inevitable rush of small children.
This happened, and on a variety of occasions, by which time parents were better prepared. It might therefore be reasonable to request that in future years, participants not dispense candy from moving vehicles. Any accident involving a child would most likely cause the run to be cancelled, which would be a sad legacy for an enjoyable annual event.
Stephen Bolwell, West Sechelt