Even after years of driving sometimes brushing up on your driving skills isn’t such a bad idea. There is a program that allows drivers age 50 and older to do just that and it’s offered through AARP.
The “classroom refresher course” is offered at various community locations, including the Pikes Peak Library District which will offer two classes this month.
According to the AARP website, www.aarpdriversafety.org, the class is designed to tune up driving skills, update knowledge of the rules of the road, learn defensive driving techniques, and discover ways to handle left turns, right of way, highway traffic and blind spots. It also covers the proper distance to stay behind a vehicle, the proper use of safety belts, air bags, anti-lock brakes and other new technology, the effects of medication on driving and how to eliminate distractions while driving such as eating, smoking and cell phone use.
“This is positive for seniors on two levels. They refresh their driving skills and they get a discount on their auto insurance,” said Angela Cortez, director of communications for AARP Colorado.
“Under Colorado law insurance companies are required to give a discount on insurance for people that sign up and complete a (driving) course,” she said.
Cortez added that the Federal Highway Administration indicates that there are approximately 82 million drivers in the United States, 40 percent of them being 50 and older. According to FHWA projections, the population of people 65 and older is expected to double by the year 2030, meaning there will be a significant number of older drivers on the road.
According to www.helpguide.org, as people age they experience problems with vision and hearing that affect their driving. And though teens and drunk drivers are more likely to get in serious car accidents, the elderly are more likely to receive traffic citations for failing to yield properly, turning improperly, running red lights and stop signs. These are indications of decreased driving ability.
The AARP program teaches drivers to learn how to make adjustments to common age-related changes in vision, hearing and reaction times. “AARP is committed to keeping the roads safe for everyone, helping drivers stay safe and expanding the ability of driver education programs,” Cortez said.
The AARP Mature Safe Driving Program started in 1979 and was initially called 55 Alive. Though intended for people age 50 and older anyone can sign up for the course. “It’s been very successful,” Cortez said.
The PPLD will be offering the course on May 17 at the Briargate branch and May 19 at the Monument branch. The cost is $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members. The class is four hours long and the library recommends bringing your own lunch. For more information you can contact the library at 531-6333 or visit www.library.ppld.org.
There is also an online course, which can be done at your own pace, but the cost is slightly higher. To register or find out more about the program visit the AARP website.