Safety program for senior drivers

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November 13, 2008

By Judy Wakefield

Car insurance companies have joined the scores of other businesses that offer senior citizen discounts — but they offer theirs to senior drivers who have completed an AARP-sponsored driver safety program.

Local senior drivers have a chance to attend that AARP Driver Safety Program as Wingate Nursing Home on Andover Street is holding the class for two days next week.

"That discount varies, based on a senior's driving record and other factors, but seniors can get a discount by showing proof that they attended the class," said Debra Donovan, regional community marketing director for Wingate Healthcare.

Drivers must attend the entire class, which is split over two days, to receive a discount on their insurance, Donovan said. At the end of the class at Wingate, senior drivers who attended both sessions will get a certificate they can show to their insurance company, she said. Donovan said there is no test to pass at the end of the class.

The number of older drivers is growing as people are living longer these days. As a result, the number of car accidents involving senior drivers is going up as well. Drivers aged 75 and older have a 37 percent higher crash rate than younger drivers, according to the Elder Law Journal's Web site.

Lt. James Hashem of the Andover Police Department said the town does not compile lists of drivers involved in car accidents. So, there is no way to tell if Andover is mirroring the national trend of more seniors being involved in car crashes.

"We don't have that statistical data," Hashem said.

Donovan acknowledged the number of senior drivers involved in serious crashes is increasing and that's why her company is sponsoring this class. The purpose of this class is to refresh senior drivers about driving laws and driving safety.

"It's important for seniors to learn how to safely and comfortably adjust to age-related changes in their vision, hearing and reaction times. This class covers it all," she said.

She said the class is very interactive and instructors "really keep it moving."

"The course addresses everything from aggressive drivers, defensive driving techniques, and basic rules of the road to anti-lock brakes, car phones and new traffic laws," she said.

AARP Driver Safety Program

Tuesday, Nov. 18 and Wednesday, Nov. 19, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wingate Nursing Home

80 Andover St., Andover

Cost: $10

Class size limited to 25

Free lunch, door prizes, gas card raffles