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Mon voyage a commencé à Milan où j’ai récupéré ma voiture de location, une Yaris Hybride. Je demande toujours la plus petite voiture que je puisse obtenir, et les hybrides sont un bon choix, car certaines villes italiennes, dans le but de motiver les gens à acheter des véhicules plus écologiques, interdisent l’accès au centre-ville aux véhicules énergivores.

His story starts in his hometown of Windsor, Ont. The son of two Lebanese immigrants, Merheje went to Catholic school and discovered comedy when an uncle showed him videotapes of comedians such as Eddie Murphy, Andrew Dice Clay and Richard Pryor.

Finally finding myself in a position to be selective, I was determined to explore all my options. I was leaving behind a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan (the anti-Porsche), which had given me stalwart service. I routinely insulted my car but, truth be told, I couldn’t have asked for a better vehicle to transport kids, luggage and dog. It bears many dents and scars. The Grand Caravan has looked better, but it has “character” – much like me.

Most travel guides will tell you that mid-to-late August is not an ideal time to visit Italy (there’s no such thing as “not a good time to visit Italy”). The majority of Italians are on vacation, and it is extremely hot. For passionate drivers, however, this period offers exhilarating driving. The roads – which are normally congested – are empty. On the highways, you can open it up. On the idyllic side roads, you can enjoy a casual yet intriguing driving experience.

I must admit the fundamental reason I’m not a fan of personalized plates is that they smack of self-satisfied bragging. It’s about calling attention and, in some cases, being shocking. Each year, many personalized licence plates are refused. Last year in Nova Scotia, for instance, Global News reported that the following plates were among 107 disallowed: WARPIG, SWATT, SMRTASS, SHOTGUN, EVILONE, DAWIFE and BLAZIN.

Panicked. That’s the best adjective to describe automobile manufacturers around the world. They’re panicked because Millennials and Gen Z (those born between 1995 and 2015) aren’t interested in driving and, what’s worse, not too keen on buying cars. “Owning and driving a vehicle will…

Summer hasn’t hit Canada yet, but there have already been reports of dog owners leaving their pets to suffer inside cars in sweltering conditions. On May 22, a woman in Victoria was fined for leaving her dog in her car for over an hour….

So, I plan to give it to my oldest daughter, who is getting her licence. It seems the natural course of action. After all, I’ve been on the receiving end of a few old beaters.

As a kid growing up in the 1970s, I was addicted to the show and mesmerized by the car. The infatuation never subsided. In the 1990s, when I was starting a career as a freelance writer, I watched the show on A&E and Jim Rockford seemed like the champion of self-employed writers everywhere.

I’ve made it my personal mission to combat these vile driving practices. I devote a column every year to lamenting such poor driving. I have to admit that, so far, I’m failing badly at my mission.