Press Release
Thursday, January 11, the Carbon County Senior Center is sponsoring its quarterly AARP Driver Safety Class from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the center. A senior driver recently said: “I’ve been driving safely for years; what can this course teach me?”
By completing this course you will: learn research based strategies that can reduce the likelihood of having a crash, better understand the links among the driver, vehicle and road environment and how this awareness encourages safer behavior, learn how aging, medications, alcohol and other health related issues effect driving abilities and ways to adjust to allow for these changes.
Here is what you need to know: our abilities are changing, our cars are changing, our roads are changing and our state laws are changing. By the end of the class, you will become a SMART driver. The acronym teaches S: Seat belts save lives (fatal accidents to front seat passengers are reduced by 45%), Medications and driving. To help avoid drug impaired driving talk with your doctor or druggist about your medications and be aware of how your body feels or reacts to the drugs or supplements you are taking. A: Adverse weather tips. It is always important to be mindful while driving but especially in limited visibility conditions like rain, snow and fog. R: Right of way. Failure to yield the proper right of way is the most common traffic violation in crashes involving older drivers. T: Three second following distance. A three second following distance (or more) helps spot possible drivings hazards and gives you time to react.
Once completing the four hour class, participants will be given a certificate to present to their auto insurance agent to receive a discount on their premium (when both spouses complete the class, both receive the discount), which is good for three years. There are no tests, written or actual driving. The cost of the class is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members. This includes all handouts and manuals. Contact the center to register at (435) 636-3202.