Losing the ability to drive can mean that an older person can no longer live independently. On this episode, we talk about aging, driving and how to know when it's time to stop. We hear from Justin Mason, associate research scientist at the University of Iowa's Driving Safety Research Institute, and Anne Dickerson, director of the research for Older Adult Driver Initiative (ROADI) at East Carolina University, about what happens to our driving abilities as we age and making plans to stop driving. We also talk with John McCurdy, executive director of the Southwest Iowa Planning Council about alternative forms of transportation and maintaining independence.
Sheila Brummer
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Iowa Public Radio
Samantha McIntosh
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Iowa Public Radio
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Changes to the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) will start on June 14. The bus system currently has 27 routes that are being consolidated into 10 main ones. -
The Lincoln and Jefferson highways were two of the nation's earliest transcontinental roads. These two highways intersected in Colo, Iowa, where a farmer named Charlie Reed had the idea to sell gas to motorists in 1923. He also let travelers pitch tents overnight on his property. On this episode, we learn about the history of the Reed-Niland Corner, with a former Reed Station employee, Scott Berka, who was also instrumental in the site's restoration project of the late 1990s to early 2000s. Then we learn about a new nonprofit, Reed-Niland Corner, Inc. that recently bought the site from the City of Colo to keep the history alive into the future. Later, we head east down the Lincoln Highway to Lisbon, where the McElmeel family has formed their own nonprofit to restore the Meyers Farmstead Historic District and open it to the public as Pleasant Grove Heritage Park. -
Two more immigrant truck drivers picked up by the Iowa State Patrol and ICE officers along Interstate 80 are suing the federal government.
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As a federal program that helps school districts buy electric buses is under review, one of Iowa’s largest school systems is putting new EV buses on the road this week. -
The federal government issued a regional emergency declaration that waives regulations for truckers carrying residential heating fuel in 10 states, including Iowa. Truck drivers carrying propane, natural gas or heating oil are allowed to exceed the federal limits on driving hours until Jan. 15 due to pipeline disruptions. -
Former U.S. Senator and Ambassador Jeff Flake on party politics and restoring balance in Washington — plus how nature is shaping the future of vehicle safety.
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The Des Moines metro's regional transit network introduced a major redesign of its bus routes, with a new focus on high frequency, local routes in denser parts of the metro. The scaled back services are aimed at cutting back on a projected budget deficit. -
Iowa's hands-free driving law aimed at combating distracted driving goes into effect July 1. Under the new law, drivers can't hold their phone in any way. -
The nonprofit works to reduce barriers to cycling through its bike checkout service and programs aimed at Spanish-speaking, gender diverse and limited mobility individuals.
