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Show lmh. April pae S2 Davis County Clipper 1997 11, DAVES AARP reports... continued from page Transportation issues: When should grandpa hang up the keys? is h transportation an important issue for older persons? The issue according to the AARP is really mobility. Transportation provides access to shopping, adult day care and health facilities; and to social work, recreational and community activities. Mobility is critical to a persons independence and overall quality of life. The isolation imposed by restricted mobility can have a negative impact on a person's physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. t ry one needs transportation. Are older people any dilferent? Of course not, but their travel needs differ from younger adults. In most American communities, older persons continue to depend primarily on their own automobiles for transportation. Transportation provided by friends, family or public transit selves as secondary transKv portation However, people tend to drive less as they grow drives only half as far each older; the average And travel patterns of the as year average older adults often differ from those of younger drivers. For instance, many older adults live in suburban areas and may not need to travel to downtown employment areas during rush hour. 5 1 manufacturer." he said. Much ol the work is referied to Dave's Import Auto by other shops x the We nightmare eases because we have the equipment You can get everything under one root here. We re members ol Auto Fngme Rebuilders Association as well as Auto Service of America." he said "W e are the biggest independent shop m Davis County m size and volume, as well as one of the largest m the state. 1 Dave's Import Auto Service does everything but body work, uuluding brakes, stiuts. shocks, tires and alignments. "We have a very clean shop." he points out The large shop is so clean, so well oiganied and so modern that he is eager to bring the customers back into the shop area lor a tour and educate them on what it takes to li a car today Dave's Import Auto Service brings a new level ol professionalism to car repan. II your car is one of those nightmare cases the shop specializes m ot it it just needs new brakes it's reassuring to see those serious technicians at vvoik. ld How does aging affect transportation choices? Fltimatelv, physical or functional changes have the greatest impact on transportation choices. These changes vary tremendously among individuals, and are generally the effects of normal, healthy aging. Still, older persons who drive tend to have increased difficulty reading road signs and markings, reduced night vision and slower reaction time in emergency situations. As functional changes increase, older drivers who enjoy the freedom of unrestricted driving may become totally dependent on other tiansportation services. An estimated 50 percent or more of those over 80 years old use transit services. It is also estimated that the number of or potential transit users, will grow to 14 million by 2020. However, many transit vehicles and facilities are not accessible to the mobility-impairenon-driver- s, d. What can be done to develop transit alternatives? First, federal, state and local governments should consider the mobility needs of all citizens in comprehensive transportation planning. Options such as vehicles accessible by physically-disable- d citizens, transportation vouchers and other innovative transit services should be considered. Second, private sector and community resources should support local government transportation efforts. For example, some AARP chapters and Retired Teachers Association (RTA) units already sponsor special transportation systems at the local level; other civic organizations and businesses can do the same. Such initiatives are becoming increasingly important in the delivery of local Do you have a great car story? Do you know an auto buff? Call the Davis County Clipper 295-225- 1 ext. 126 We had fun, fun, fun till Ford took our away T-Bi- Cherie Huber Contributing Writer The Ford Thunderbird was the subject of a song by the Beach Boys in those happy long gone days of the sixties. But the fun is all over now because Ford Motor Company, not Daddy, is going to take the away. Motor Ford Company announced recently that the Ford Thunderbird and three other of their slower selling vehicles will be discontinued later this year. The big Thunderbird. however, may return after the year 2(XK) as a smaller sport coupe with much of its style and character derived from the early history as a 950 1 roadster. Thats because Thunderbird still has a strong image and, in fact. Ford Motors sees the Thunderbird as one of the strongest brands that the company has. Along with the Thunderbird, Ford Motors said that the Mercury Cougar, the Ford Probe sports coupe and the Aerostar minivan will end with the 1997 model year. That means that 1998 will be the first year since 19.84 that Ford has not had a Thunderbird to show off at the annual Detroit Auto Show. rd The Thunderbird was first introduced as a competitor for the then new Chevrolet Corvette and very quickly became an American favorite. It was celebrated in 1964 in a Beach Boys song with the words, she'll have fun, fun; fun, till her daddy takes her away. In the 1970's the Thunderbird style changed from a sporty roadster to a larger coupe. First it's appeal grew but then coupes fell out of style and by 1990 the Thunderbird Couple had fallen from grace. Sales fell to about only 79,700 in 1996 compared to a high of 325.000 in 1977. Jac Nasser, president of Ford's automotive operations, however, has hinted that the possible new Thunderbird in the year 2000 will bring back memories of the sporty roadster that many two-seat- people still envision when they hear So several the name "Thunderbird. years from now some California girls may again be having tun in her daddys new Thunderbird. Tread lightly, save the land Tread Lightly! is dedicated to protect public and private lands through education. While most outdoor recreation-ist- s have a respect for the land, there are still those who for whatever reason continue to damage the environment. Over the last three decades, millions of acres of land have been closed or restricted because of potential and real damage. Closures continue. This startling statistic, com- - bined with an increase in outdoor recreation, had made the Tread Lightly! message a crucial one. The major points ot the Tread Lightly! education program can be easily summarized: Travel only on designated routes Respect the rights of others Educate yourself Avoid streambanks, meadows, wildlife, etc. Drive responsibly South.PavisCounty 32? (fee? QjtT53jD OcdOtltD 1234 North Main Street (801 ) 544-580- - Layton 190 North Main St , Bountiful 566-962- 4 transportation services. Third, innovative transportation alternatives such as transit service routes and safe pedestrian walkways with proximity to housing and services must be included in all community development planning. 1800 S. Main, Bountiful 292-443- 3 What can be done to make our roadways safer for older drivers? d Vision diminishes with age, and nearly of all drivers are age 50 or older. Highly conspicuous signs, signals and road markings are needed to make our streets and highways safer for all drivers. Signs that are easily read and seen by older drivers will be easily read and seen k brakes, air by everyone else. Features such as windshields should become standard bags and features on cars. In addition, AARP supports research to develop additional improvements to vehicles. one-thir- anti-loc- non-tint- ed What is AARP doing to encourage improvements in transportation? Tumi? 2S' Bountiful 295-447- BORBERi 2023 South 625 West, Woods Cross 298-886- 8 cJVIenlove TOYOTA Dodge 2380 South, AARP has taken forceful positions on a number of major transportation issues and has sponsored university research related to driver skills and mobility. For example, AARP is promoting the development of improved driver testing and screening by identifying and researching predictive measures based upon performance rather age. Based on this research, AARP is tools to help people underdeveloping stand how aging affects driving. than chronological self-evaluati- AARP is involved in monitoring federal legislation implementation, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, to find opportunities to improve transportation services to communities. AARP continues to work with many states to implement programs that link people with transit sendees. Finally, AARPs 55 434-256- Hwy 91, Bountiful 295-348- 1 m ITit,Iiul GG0 2375 South 625 West, Woods Cross 298-809- 0 ' einer BOUNTIFUL 955 North 400 East, NSL 298-516- 3 Ken Garffs ROl'NUH'L ALIVE MATURE DRIVING the nations oldest and largest driver improvement program for older persons has helped three million older drivers since 1979. AARP also offers programs safety belts, addressing driver skill alternative transportation options and pedestrian safety, vehicles. recreational For further information contact: Public Affairs 2 (202) program 7 M 01 OH 2773 South Highway 89 292-720- 1 Jeep 2929 S. Hwy 89, Bountiful 298-341- 7 |