Know someone that needs their driving habits tweaked to meet 2011 standards?
If you do, then you (or they) are in luck. There are a couple of local volunteers from the American Association of Retired People (AARP) itching to get folks up to speed with the latest information to help make drivers become safer operators.
The AARP offers its popular two-day “Driver Safety Program” once a month at the Gig Harbor Civic Center.
AARP zone coordinator, Harry Stameisen, said the program is aimed at arming drivers with new rules and laws, helping them to drop their (55 and older) insurance rates at the same time.
Stameisen, has been teaching the low-cost course for some 15 years. He said that the class is open to all drivers, but geared mostly for those 50 years old and older.
“What we do is to basically remind them that as we age, our hearing isn’t as good as it was years ago. Our eyesight isn’t as good, and reaction time isn’t as good either. So, we bring that to their attention and show them how they compensate for it,” he said before a recent class.
The course also covers basic laws, like red lights, and turning lights and pedestrian laws and school bus laws, to take the guess work out of the equation.
“So that’s one of the things that makes it safe for the driver, when it brings things up to the surface of the memory bank,” Stameisen added.
Teacher Debra Kloehn said that the students learn by example.
During the course, the participants get lectured, see videos, interact with traffic drawings in front of the class, and have homework, she said.
“The only way they’re going to get anything out of the course is to participate.
“So by them participating, it makes them aware of what they can or cannot do. We’re not here to teach them how to drive. We’re assuming these are all expert drivers that have been driving for many years. We’re trying to make them understand how we become a better driver as seniors,” she added.
Cindy Back from Olalla said the classes are fun.
“It’s a very relaxed feeling. Anybody can handle it. I think that every senior should come and take the class. It makes you feel more relaxed on the road. It makes you understand that people out there are sometimes nuts, but if you drive defensively, and be aware on your end, then maybe some of your good habits can soak into the other people,” Back said.
The AARP would like folks interested in the 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. classes to pre-register.
The cost of the program is $14, or $12 for AARP members.
The AARP also farms out its course, and will make arrangements to come out to a group, a home or neighborhood.
The next course offered will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 22 and 23 at the Gig Harbor Civic Center.
If you do, then you (or they) are in luck. There are a couple of local volunteers from the American Association of Retired People (AARP) itching to get folks up to speed with the latest information to help make drivers become safer operators.
The AARP offers its popular two-day “Driver Safety Program” once a month at the Gig Harbor Civic Center.
AARP zone coordinator, Harry Stameisen, said the program is aimed at arming drivers with new rules and laws, helping them to drop their (55 and older) insurance rates at the same time.
Stameisen, has been teaching the low-cost course for some 15 years. He said that the class is open to all drivers, but geared mostly for those 50 years old and older.
“What we do is to basically remind them that as we age, our hearing isn’t as good as it was years ago. Our eyesight isn’t as good, and reaction time isn’t as good either. So, we bring that to their attention and show them how they compensate for it,” he said before a recent class.
The course also covers basic laws, like red lights, and turning lights and pedestrian laws and school bus laws, to take the guess work out of the equation.
“So that’s one of the things that makes it safe for the driver, when it brings things up to the surface of the memory bank,” Stameisen added.
Teacher Debra Kloehn said that the students learn by example.
During the course, the participants get lectured, see videos, interact with traffic drawings in front of the class, and have homework, she said.
“The only way they’re going to get anything out of the course is to participate.
“So by them participating, it makes them aware of what they can or cannot do. We’re not here to teach them how to drive. We’re assuming these are all expert drivers that have been driving for many years. We’re trying to make them understand how we become a better driver as seniors,” she added.
“It’s a very relaxed feeling. Anybody can handle it. I think that every senior should come and take the class. It makes you feel more relaxed on the road. It makes you understand that people out there are sometimes nuts, but if you drive defensively, and be aware on your end, then maybe some of your good habits can soak into the other people,” Back said.
The AARP would like folks interested in the 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. classes to pre-register.
The cost of the program is $14, or $12 for AARP members.
The AARP also farms out its course, and will make arrangements to come out to a group, a home or neighborhood.
The next course offered will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 22 and 23 at the Gig Harbor Civic Center.
