A driver safety program sponsored by AARP is 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 8 at the Douglas County Senior Center. You need not be a member of AARP to attend. Insurance companies may reduce insurance rates by 10 percent after completion of the one-day course. Class fee, $10. Sign up by calling the senior center at 783-6455.
AARP has offered the driver safety refresher course for more than 25 years. The program is designed to help:
-- Tune up driving skills and update knowledge of the rules of the road.
-- Learn about normal age-related physical changes, and how to adjust driving to allow for these changes.
-- Reduce traffic violations, crashes and chances for injuries.
-- Get an insurance discount. Auto insurance companies in most states provide a discount to AARP graduates.
Other issues covered in the course are maintaining proper following distance at all times, the safest way to change lanes and make turns at intersections, the effects of medications on driving, minimizing the effect of blind spots, limiting driver distractions of eating, smoking and cell phone use, properly using safety belts, air bags, and anti-lock brakes, maintaining physical flexibility and how to monitor your own and others' driving skills and capabilities.
The March 8 class is taught by Dennis Hogan. Future AARP Driver Safety Programs are scheduled for June 14, Sept. 13 and Dec. 13 at the Douglas County Senior Center, 2300 Meadow Lane, Gardnerville.
