AARP course keeps knowledge and safe driving skills up-to-date
AARP’s
“The Smart Driver”
with instructor Joe Borden
Thursday, June 8 and
Friday June 9.
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Fifth Avenue’s Activity Room — 500 W.
Hendrickson Rd.
360-683-3345
$15 for AARP members, $20 for non-members.
Sign up at Fifth Avenue’s Concierge Desk or
the Shipley Center.
Class size is limited to 20 people.
Everyone in the community is invited to attend this course.
What
is the most dangerous place on the road for a senior driver? Instructor Joe Borden will answer that
question and so much more in the AARP “The Smart Driver” at Fifth Avenue in
June. “It’s about keeping people driving safely longer,” says Joe. “My goal is
to teach the driver that behind the wheel of the car they need to think about
what they’re doing, where they are going, and how they will get there. It’s
concerning to all of us. As we mature, we all need to be attentive behind the
wheel.”
Fifth Avenue resident
Maud Krom has taken AARP’s driving course several times. “I think it’s
important for every senior who’s driving to take a refresher course. It’s been
a few years since the class in high school.” She says the class has helped make
her a better driver. “It’s a class to bring you up to date for the skills you
need to drive safely – a reminder. Both of my fenders have been backed into by
people. I sure don’t want to do that to anyone else,” she says.
During the course,
Joe teaches about driving C.P.R. – Courtesy, Patience, and Respect. Just like
that other C.P.R., this one can also save lives. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a
new driver at 18 or a mature driver at 92. The rules all apply the same to all
of us. We all need to think about what we’re doing. We all need to be safe,” he
advises.
The course reminds
people that as times have changed, cars, roads, and people change, too.
While the course is
designed to remind people of safe driving habits, there does come a point when
it’s no longer safe for the person to drive. “It’s difficult to talk to people
about whether it’s time to stop driving,” Joe says. He understands the
difficulty people face in this process. “Driving used to be a privilege. Now it’s
a necessity. It’s hard to get anywhere without driving,” he says. In the state
of Washington, any concerned citizen can report poor driving to the Department
of Licensing. The department officials then schedule a driving evaluation with
the individual. The person being evaluated does have the right to know who made
the report. Joe has helped many people through the process of discontinuing
driving and those who report a loved one or friend to the Department of
Licensing for evaluation. “We can help with that,” he says.“As we get more mature, our reflexes change, the medications
we take affect our driving. It’s something we need to think about every time we
get behind the wheel,” says Joe.
There is the added
benefit of an auto insurance discount for completing the course. Washington
State law requires that all insurance companies provide a discount to people
who complete the course; however, the monetary amount of the discount varies
with each insurance company.
Things are changing
rapidly with new innovations on cars (some of them literally park themselves
and automatically brake to avoid front-end collisions – that’s amazing!), and
traffic revisions have added “roundabout” to driving lexicon. Joe says, “There’s
always something new to learn every time. Even the materials have been updated
in the last 6 months, so it’s a little different.” The answer to the most dangerous place on
the road for a senior driver – an intersection. Anyone in the community can
take AARP’s Smart Driver course. It’s $15 for AARP members, and
$20 for non-members. Class is limited to 20 people, so sign up soon at the
Concierge Desk at Fifth Avenue or Sequim’s Shipley Center for this refresher
course and become a better, safer driver.
-- Christine Springer, Information Coordinator
Comments
Post a Comment