Countywide : Residents Urged to Not Drive Alone

The American Lung Assn. urged all Ventura County residents to car pool, take the bus or ride a bicycle to work today in honor of “Don’t Drive Alone Day,” an event scheduled this week to coincide with Clean Air Week.

Taking cars off the road for one day is not expected to have any significant effect on the county’s air pollution, which fails to meet state and federal health standards for ozone, a major constituent of smog.

About 50% of the county’s smog comes from motor vehicles, with the rest coming from industry and other sources, officials say.

“While we may only make a dent in that figure with one day of reduced driving, we hope that motorists will see how easy it can be for them to take a personal role in cleaning up the air,” said Dr. George Yu, a lung specialist and American Lung Assn. board member.

Yu said smog contributes to lung disease--the third leading cause of death in the United States.

To participate in “Don’t Drive Alone Day,” Ventura Mayor Greg Carson plans to ride his bike throughout the day, and Ventura County Supervisor Susan Lacey will take the bus.

American Lung Assn. volunteer Dick Reiner, a former smoker who has emphysema and who requires 24-hour oxygen, will accompany Lacey on the bus.

In addition, employees at the U. S. post office on Wake Forest Drive in Ventura have agreed to form car pools, walk or ride their bikes to work.