How to Locate a Local Senior Driving Course
Motorists who are older than 55 now can take the newly updated “55 Alive Mature Driver Program” to refresh their driving skills. Considering the usage of GPS and cell phones in cars, in addition to the increase in traffic control measures like roundabouts and red-light cameras, most drivers will benefit from and feel more in control of their daily drives by utilizing these courses.
Senior Driver Education Courses
The AAA is an excellent place to start looking for mature driver courses. The AAA conducts a senior driving education course called the AAA Driver Improvement Program, and you likely can find one nearby.
Look for AARP courses where you live. The AARP Senior Driver Refresher Course was founded in 1979 and has several decades of experience offering refresher courses for senior drivers. The AARP Driver Safety program involves more than 4,000 volunteers and Spanish-language resources. Over the years, the AARP has modified its driver refresher courses to include new modules of additional training that are especially beneficial for senior drivers. For instance, the revised training involves driving around roundabouts, compliance with stop signs, pavement markings and red-light compliance.
As traffic safety rules continue to evolve, several states have banned the use of cell phones and texting devices while driving, while others have mandated a minimum three feet of passing distance that motorists must maintain between their cars and bicyclists while passing bicycles. Seniors need to know of such state-specific changes in driving laws, and the AARP driver refresher course helps accomplish this.
Your state Department of Motor Vehicles is an excellent resource for information about senior driving programs near you. Contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles to find out about licensing requirements, vision tests required for a license renewal and other formalities for senior drivers.
Why Senior Motorists May Be at High Risk of Injurious Accidents
Seniors don’t have higher accident rates than the general population, but they are much more likely to be involved in accidents that contribute to serious injuries or fatalities, compared to drivers in other age categories. These are just some of the facts about senior driving.
Some of the more common age-related impairments that can affect a person’s driving skills as he or she ages are:
- failing vision (this may prevent a senior motorist from seeing and identifying accident cues around him or her);
- failing hearing (this can prevent a senior driver from hearing an approaching car or the horns of other motorists around him or her);
- slower reflexes (this may prevent a senior motorist from being able to respond appropriately when he or she identifies an accident cue, like a pedestrian darting into the car’s path);
- slower responses;
- poor coordination;
- muscular stiffness (this could prevent a senior motorist from being able to turn completely around to look for vehicles in blind spots); and
- lack of balance.
Physical exercise and activity can help reduce the impact of such age-related impairments on a senior’s ability to perform daily activities, including the ability to drive safely. Seniors can stay safe on the road by taking a driver education program that is specifically designed for senior drivers. In some states, the law requires senior drivers to undergo a senior driving course before renewing their licenses after a certain age. Check if your state has laws like this.
If you have suffered injuries in an accident and want to learn about your legal rights to compensation, discuss your case with an attorney at our firm. Initial consultations are free. Call 800-529-1222 to speak with a lawyer at our firm and schedule a free case evaluation. You also can fill out the online evaluation form to have a lawyer get in touch with you.
