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AARP promotes clear view of driving during Healthy Vision Month
From staff reports
Because May is both Healthy Vision Month and AARP Driver Safety Program Month, the American Association of Retired Persons is reminding drivers to maintain their eye health to help ensure safe driving. A full 90 to 95 percent of the information needed to detect and react to danger while driving comes through vision.
Eyesight can deteriorate over time so it is crucial to be vigilant about maintaining eye health. Today about one in seven drivers is age 65 or older, but this figure is expected to rise significantly in the years ahead. By the time that the last of the Baby Boomers turn 65 in 2029, about one in four drivers will be age 65 or older, meaning that healthy vision will only continue to grow in importance over the coming years.
The AARP Driver Safety Program, offered through The Colony Senior Center, can help drivers recognize changes that can affect sight during aging and help them learn how to adjust their driving accordingly. For information about times, call the center at 972-624-2246.
*Have regular eye exams by a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist;
*Ask about getting separate glasses for day and night driving;
*Avoid driving at dawn, dusk and night when visibility is at its worst;
*Consider lenses with anti-reflective coating to reduce glare when night driving cannot be avoided;
*Be sure to keep the windshield and all windows clean both inside and out;
*Have a good pair of sunglasses readily available to counter daytime glare;
*The recommended hand position while driving is no longer 10 and 2 o'clock but rather 8 and 4 o'clock or even 9 and 3 o'clock to avoid injury from airbag deployment in case of a collision;
*When driving a car with anti-lock brakes (ABS) it is not appropriate to pump the brakes but rather, remember the three S's (Stomp on the brake pedal, Stay on the pedal, and Steer away from danger).
In addition to tips such as these, the course covers familiar topics such as negotiating busy intersections and defensive driving skills; understanding new car safety technologies like electronic stability control and air bags; and covering challenges such as learning new traffic laws and handling road rage.
"AARP Driver Safety refresher courses provide an excellent way to evaluate your current abilities, learn compensation techniques to accommodate for aging, and increase your safety while on the roads” Elinor Ginzler, AARP senior vice president of Livable Communities, said. “Ninety-five percent of our graduates tell us they change driving behavior as a result of taking our course."
More than 90 percent of participants say they would recommend the course to a friend, and from now through June 15, AARP members can bring a friend and they can attend the AARP Driver Safety Program classroom course together, for just $10 - a 50 percent savings. To receive this special offer, the AARP member must just show their AARP membership card upon arrival on the first day of the course. Members can also receive $2 off the Driver Safety Online Course fee during this same period.
AARP Driver Safety courses are offered by trained volunteer instructors throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Courses are now available in both a classroom setting and online. The program helps drivers 50 and up become more aware of changes that occur due to aging, and how to adjust driving accordingly. It can sometimes entitle those who enroll to apply for discounts on their car insurance. Information on the Driver Safety Program can be found at: www.aarp.org/drive or by calling 1-888-AARP NOW (1-888-227-7669).
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