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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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AR AARP Helping Folks Be ‘Smart Drivers’

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Monday, November 25, 2013   

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - A class from AARP is helping Arkansans be smart about driving, and about when not to drive.

According to Steve Gregory, who coordinates the program for the state AARP, it's designed to help people drive safer, for longer, and could help them decide for themselves if they might want to change their driving habits. Insurance companies give discounts to most people who complete the four-hour classes. Gregory advised that those interested check with an agent to be sure, and he said that although drivers of all ages can and do take part in the classes, a lot of the information is especially useful for older drivers.

He said that includes "being aware of some of the new state laws, being aware that as we age we slow up a little bit, our different medications that we're on, how they may or may not affect our driving."

He said that starting in January the classes will roll out a newly-revised curriculum, which was written in part based on the input of some older drivers.

Gregory said the class is offered in person and online. He noted that not every insurance company accepts the online version for the discount, but an agent would know. He said the classes may also help families with one issue that can come up around the holiday dinner table, because a section of the class is a self-assessment, a series of questions designed to help people figure out if it's time to change their driving habits.

"'Are you nervous when you drive in heavy traffic? Do you have a hard time driving at night?' At the end of that self-assessment, it kind of gives them an idea of the things that they may or may not need to change," he said.

He said many people can feel more confident if they decide not to drive after dark, for instance, or try to avoid rush-hour traffic.

Gregory said many people can drive safely into their 80s, but he noted that older people can be more seriously injured in an accident. Gregory stressed that they don't test anyone's ability or try to tell them what to do. He said they just give them a way to make smart driving decisions for themselves.

"We do not get involved in suggesting to anybody that it's time for them to restrict their driving," he said. "We give them the information."

For more information, contact a state AARP office or go online to AARP.org.




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