An AARP Driver Safety Program class will be held at the Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, 1120 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., on Wednesday, Oct. 12. The class has been revised to a four-hour session. Registration is at 12:30 and instruction from 1-5 p.m. Class size is limited, so reservations can be made by calling 704-216-7714.
The fee is $12 for AARP members. The member must bring the membership card to the class. If the card is lost, a new card can be obtained by calling the AARP national office at 1-888-227-7669 (1-888-AARP NOW). The membership number is also on the AARP magazine. The fee is $14 for non-members. The fee covers the cost of the workbook and materials. Participants must also bring their driverís license.
The center has sponsored an AARP Driver Safety Class in Salisbury every year since 1991. The senior center was presented a 20 year recognition award by AARP earlier this year for supporting and hosting the senior driver safety program.
The driver safety program is the nationís first and largest classroom driver refresher course specially designed for motorists age 50 and older. AARP volunteers have been teaching the course since 1979. Younger drivers can also take the course.
The workbook contains 25 pages of safety tips and much more.
The objectives of the program are to help participants understand the effects of aging on driving by getting them to know themselves, learn driving strategies that take into account the changes people experience as they age; identify the most common crash situations we face; reduce the chances of having a crash by reviewing basic driving rules, traffic hazards and accident prevention measures; update our knowledge and understanding of todayís roads, vehicles and other road users; plan and think about how we drive; the effects of medication on driving; identify when driving may no longer be safe.
Upon completing the course, graduates of the program may be eligible to receive a discount on their auto insurance premiums.
In addition to the driver safety program, the local chapter is sponsoring two additional senior driving safety programs during the same week. On Thursday, Oct. 13, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., the seminar ěWe Need To Talkî about tips and guidance on how to recognize the warning signs to change driving habits, learn about driving issues that can be corrected to allow continued driving, and how to talk to someone about driving retirement.
On Saturday, Oct. 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the program ěCar Fitî is a quick check of how well you and your vehicle work together. A 12-point checklist will be completed and reviewed with the driver. Both programs are free, and will be held at the Rufty-Holmes Senior Center in Salisbury.
The local AARP chapter meets the first Thursday of each month at Rufty-Holmes Senior Center starting at 1p.m.