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Show wm “DHE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 3 October 1, 2005 Major Construction on I-15 Begins Guest Commentary Different Types of Impairment as at a party the other night when I noticed a friend of mine leaving to drive home down the canyon. He was noticeably intoxicated after having several drinks in last hour. When I approached him with concern about his driving ability, he eased my apprehensions by saying that he was a great driver and not to worry, “Alcohol really doesn’t affect me like most people, and it’s the other people that you need to worry about on the road—NOT ME.” With his simple statement, I felt fine and helped his wife and kids into the car for their long journey home. Does this sound absurd? Well, it is, and it never happened because, like you, I would never let anyone drive home that had been drinking—not only for his safety, but also for all of the other drivers’, pedestrians’, and cyclists’ that may be on the road. But every day when I drive, there are numerous people that I kno and care about driving with cell phones plastered to their heads A recent study done at the University of Utah showed that motorists who talk on cell phones are more impaired than drivers with blood alcohol levels of 0.08—the legal limit in Utah. We, as a society, have decided that driving while impaired by alcohol is completely unacceptable. Yet, for some reason, driving impaired while talking on a cell phone is completely acceptable. When I have approached my friends and commented about the dangers of driving while talking on a cell phone, the response is almost always the same, “I know it is dangerous, but I am a very good driver and it doesn’t affect me While you may think that you are the best driver in the world and not affected by distractions, | am sure that the perception of those driving behind you, when you are oblivious to your “drunken like” cell phone driving, differs. The same researchers at the University of Utah found that 18- to 25-year-olds acted with the response time ofa 70 yearold while driving and talking on a cell phone. The research also noted that there was no difference between hands-free cell phones and hand-held cell phones, noting that the problem is not physically with the phones, but with “inattention blindness.” Do know of any parent that would allow their child to drive while drunk? Teenagers have a hard enough time driving safely without the influence of alcohol or drugs. Yet, I know of numerous parents who talk to their children on cell phones while their children are driving; thus, considerably impairing their driving abilities. Try to imagine yourself, or your child, holding a beer instead of a cell phone and leisurely driving down the road. So the next time you get into the car, do yourself and everyone else a favor and turn off the cell phone. I am sure that everyone can handle 25 minutes of not keeping in touch with you. If it is impossible, simply pull off the road for a minute when you answer the phone. You will not only make the roads safer for yourself, but for everyone else. Just remember that it is seldom the first time that someone drives drunk that they get in an accident. But if you drive impaired long enough, sooner or later the split second it took to dial the phone will be the time needed to stop or swerve. n September 15, the Ogden-Weber Chamber of Commerce and the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) hosted an open house and presentation for businesses potentially impacted by the I-15 NOW Expansion project. I-15 is in urgent need of repair and expansion in Weber County. The I-15 NOW project includes adding lanes and improving interchanges from 31st Street in Ogden to 12th Street in Marriott-Slaterville. Then, as funding allows, the project will continue northward to 2700 North in Farr West. For more information, visit http:/www.udot.utah.gov/il Snow or call (801)620-1641. Advocate for CERT By Shanna Francis Ogden Valley News Honored CERT team at their last meeting held at the Ogden alley Library. Linda has worked tirelessly for r ten years teaching and organizing CERT c aia Emergency Response Team) classes that equip participants with the tools and information needed to allow them to effectively respond in emergency situations. She and her husband Dennis recently moved to Plain City, but states that she is Linda Spencer, formerly of Ogden Valley, was recently honored by members of the Ogden Valley still involved in CERT. Linda is a member of the Weber County CERT team that is composed of representatives from every community within the county. The countywide team works directly with FEMA and the department of Homeland Security. A firm believer in the nationally adopted CERT program, Spencer traveled to Salt Lake City to become trained as a CERT trainer shortly after moving to Ogden Valley in 1995. She quickly established a CERT program here with a core CERT cont. on page 13 Linda Spencer Don't Miss the Event of the Year! Carver's Cove Craft Fair in Eden Featuring Local and Regional Crafter October 13, 14, 15 Thursday and Friday 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.~ Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p. For more information, call 801-745-3018 Come in and sign up for your birthday discount and bring a new friend who has never been and receive 10 Alan Wheelwright, Eden _ HOME ~ Come Aspen Ridge Funding, In aN LE IONS check ont HALLOM & ee our new EEN DISPLAY "where money grows on trees" 2 Specializing in the Valley ° All types of loans A- D credit Purchase, ILLLE EC AC 5522 E. 2200 N. EDEN (Nex: to Eden General Store) SET mentionares ad for 10% OFF your purchase Expires October 31, 2005 ReFi’s 2nd Mortgages 801-745-6225 abprocess@yahoo.com c A presents the first ever SUN VALLEY RESORT Oct. 22 & 23. Don’t Miss the Last Weekend of Summer Gondola Rides 11am-5pm Uphill/Downhill Race & Fall Festival Saturday~ October 1, 2005 atts Folkatonics, Mariachi Zavala & Alpenhorns Gondola ticket holders entered into a drawing for a Snowbasin Winter Season Pass. Admission Beginning October &, 2005 Saturday Breakfast 9:30 - 11:30 am. Sunday Brunch in the Huntington Room 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. “Earl's in the Evening” Aer Special Season Pass Pricing Job Fair Climbing Wall Please call 801-620-1021 x a for reservations. For more information call 801-620-1000 or www.snowbasin.com Fest Featuring “Animals of Montana” Fine Dining in the Huntington Room. Saturday evenings only, by reservation. 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. e Howl Bobbing A for Apples $3 WeyMountain Howling Contest Bounce House Name The Mascot Contest Carved Pumpkin Contest (bring your entry) Great Food Music by The Solutions and Flew The Coop For more info visit www.wolfmountaineden.com XIE | |