Seniors group urges older drivers to take course
Vision blurred, ears plugged, medication squeezing judgment from muscles, and new-fangled gadgets buzzing and beeping in carnival-fashion from a dashboard - welcome to the older driver's view of the open road.
According to Rosalee Walker, president of the local chapter of the AARP, some of the more seasoned drivers on the road refuse to go graciously into the good night of public transportation and will not accept there may be some things they can't do as well as they used to.
So Walker teamed up with Juneau police officers to garner interest in an AARP-sponsored driving safety class for the "mature" driver. The AARP, formerly an association for retired people, provides a variety of services to older people.
"We may not be noticing it but our bodies are changing," said Walker. "Not only that, but we have to deal with these new gadgets in cars, and medications we're on are a factor, our hearing's going, our eyesight's going, we have to deal with teen-agers.
"People in my age group are stubborn. For them it may be their last hold on independence. They think they know exactly what they're doing and (say) 'Don't bother me' and won't accept maybe they need help. ... So we're encouraging the mature driver to take this class so even if they won't give up driving they will at least be doing it safely."
Police Capt. Tom Porter said he is encouraging officers to carry pamphlets in their patrol cars to hand out to people who may benefit from the class.
"It's about safety for everybody including the driver and anyone else on the road," said Porter. "If nothing else, it is a good review for people who have been driving for as long as some of our more seasoned drivers have. ... It's a natural part of the aging process that you may not drive the way you used to be able to. Hopefully these classes will help people adapt to that and keep people safe."
The eight-hour class is offered locally in one-day and two-day sessions.
The AARP said the class teaches its students defensive-driving techniques; how to adjust driving to age-related changes in vision, hearing and reaction time; when to use a car phone; and how to properly use anti-lock brakes, air bags and safety belts.
The class also shows students how to handle potential problem situations such as left turns, rights of way, driving near trucks, blind spots and aggressive drivers, according to AARP.
"Some mature drivers won't even wear safety belts," Walker said. "We want to show them that there's nothing to be embarrassed about, and in fact this class is open to anyone of any age. This is all good information to have and the mature driver can look at it as simply a review that will help keep them and everyone else safe on the road."
For more information about the class call 789-9807 or 586-2493.