Documentary Marks First Anniversary of Deadly Farmer's Market Crash; Filmmakers Focus on Seniors Behind the Wheel.

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. -- One year ago, an 86-year-old California resident crashed his vehicle into the Santa Monica Farmer's market, killing 10 people and injuring many others. This tragic accident focused a national spotlight on the issue of elderly driving and catapulted the discussion of a serious and sensitive topic from America's dining tables to a national stage. To mark this important anniversary, San Francisco's PBS station KQED (Ch. 9) and 21st Century Insurance (NYSE:TW) will premiere "The Golden Road" on Saturday, July 17 at 5:30 p.m. with a simulcast broadcast at the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco.

This documentary-styled broadcast, produced by KQED and underwritten by 21st Century Insurance, is designed to help senior drivers and their families correctly assess their driving abilities and decrease driving dangers. The documentary was made in cooperation with the California Highway Patrol, which plans to use the broadcast as an integral part of its community-based senior outreach in conjunction with its Older Californian Traffic Safety (OCTS) Task Force. The CHP plans to distribute copies of "The Golden Road" to each of its 100 offices statewide.

"Even realizing that older drivers, as a group, tend to be safe, we have to realize that at some point, they may have physical and cognitive problems that do interfere with their ability to drive and that put them and other drivers at risk. In view of that, it's important for seniors to understand that self assessment is critical," said OCTS Task Force Chair and CHP Commissioner D.O. "Spike" Helmick.

There are nearly 36 million seniors (65 and older) living in the U.S and by 2030, that number is expected to more then double. In California alone there are currently 5-1/2 million licensed drivers aged 55 and older. Over 2-1/2 million of them are 70 and older.

"As drivers age, the changes to their bodies affect their ability to drive," said geriatric physician Dr. Irina de Fischer. "Diminished eyesight, increased fatigue, loss of limb mobility, as well as the body's reaction to prescription medications are all factors in an older driver's diminished driving abilities."

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, seniors are expected to represent 25 percent of the driving age population and 25 percent of fatal crash involvements by 2030. When measured by actual miles driven, elderly drivers are more likely to be involved in fatal car crashes than any other adult age group (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety).

"The deterioration of a loved-one's driving abilities can reach a point where families are confronted with a heart wrenching situation -- but one that must be faced," said Joyce Prager, Assistant Vice President of Community Relations for 21st Century Insurance. "We funded the production of `The Golden Road' to provide self-assessment tips for senior drivers, and give family members tips on how to talk to aging drivers about this important issue."

There are a number of signals that should alert seniors and their loved ones that they are losing their driving skills and need to examine their ability to maintain current driving schedules. Senior drivers should ask themselves the following questions:

--Have you come to dread the idea of driving during bad weather or at night?

--Do you find left hand turns and busy intersections more difficult to navigate?

--Have you noticed a change in the way other drivers behave? Do they drive too fast, tailgate, and have become more hostile?

--Is parking more difficult? Have you stopped trying to parallel-park?

--Do cars sometimes seem to appear from nowhere? Have the number of near misses increased?

--Do you forget your route? Do you pass roads and intersections where you intended to turn?

"I only drive at night when I have to, and I also try to avoid driving in the rain," said Kent Milton, CHP Older Driver Research Consultant. "I'm not to the point where I don't drive freeways but I know that's coming."

Friends and family should also pay attention to the changes in aging drivers. Some telltale signs include mysterious scratches and dents suddenly appearing on the older driver's vehicle or unexplained bodily injuries. Experts point out that to compensate for diminishing capacity, most seniors develop strategies for dealing with slower reflexes, deteriorating eyesight, and other physical changes. "The Golden Road" discusses ways for seniors to become safer drivers and prolong the number of years they can safely take to the road.

"Seniors are most concerned about losing their independence when they can no longer drive safely. But when family members and caregivers come together and assist elderly drivers to find alternative transportation methods it eases the transition," said Dr. Helen Kerschner, President and CEO of the Beverly Foundation, which provides research and education to improve the quality of life for older adults. "Although most seniors prefer the automobile, many have a number of other options available to them such as public and private transit as well as specialized transportation."

"The Golden Road" is thirty minutes long and is narrated by Wil Lymon, the instantly recognizable and trusted voice of PBS programming NOVA and Front Line. Free limited edition DVDs of the documentary will be available at the live San Francisco simulcast and for purchase at www.KQED.org. Numerous PBS stations in California and around the country plan to air this important program in the months ahead.

Founded in 1958, 21st Century Insurance Group provides personal automobile insurance to customers in California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. 21st provides a superior combination of policy features and customer service at a competitive price. Twenty-four-hours-a-day, 365 days a year, customers have the option to purchase insurance, service their policy or report a claim over the phone directly through our centralized licensed insurance agents at 1-800-211-SAVE or through the Company's full-service Web site at www.21st.com. Service is also provided at the Company's neighborhood centers during normal business hours. 21st Century Insurance Company is rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best and A+ by Standard & Poor's.

KQED Public Broadcasting operates KQED Public Television 9, one of the nation's most-watched public television stations during prime-time, and KQED's digital television channels, which include KQED HD, KQED Encore, KQED World, KQED Life and KQED Kids; KQED Public Radio, the most-listened-to public radio station in the nation with an award-winning news and public affairs program service (88.5 FM in San Francisco and 89.3 FM in Sacramento); KQED.org, the most visited station site in Public Broadcasting; and KQED Education Network, which brings the impact of KQED to thousands of teachers, students, parents and media professionals through workshops, seminars and resources.

SATELLITE TRANSMISSION SCHEDULE & INFORMATION

VNR PLAYOUT # 1

Date: Thursday, July 15, 2004
Time: 0800 - 0815 ET firm out / 5am - 5:15am PT firm out
Satellite: Intelsat A-6  C-BAND
Transponder: 18 ( EIGHTEEN) Analog 36 MHz
Orbital Position: 93 degrees West
Uplink Frequency: 6285 MHz Vertical
Downlink Frequency: 4060 MHz Horizontal
Audios: 6.2 subcarrier = English    6.8 subcarrier = English
Standard: 525 NTSC
PACTV to goodnight with Loral SkyNet: 800-631-3562

VNR PLAYOUT # 2

Date: Friday, July 16, 2004
Time: 1100 - 1115 ET firm out / 8am - 8:15am PT firm out
Satellite: Intelsat A-6  C-BAND
Transponder: 15 ( FIFTEEN) Analog 36 MHz
Orbital Position: 93 degrees West
Uplink Frequency: 6255 MHz Horizontal
Downlink Frequency: 4000 MHz Vertical
Audios: 6.2 subcarrier = English    6.8 subcarrier = English
Standard: 525 NTSC
PACTV to goodnight with Loral SkyNet: 800-631-3562

TRANSMISSION COORDINATOR:     Barbara B. Sipes of The Casey Company
                              Mobile: [phone]