Page 18 - AAA Central Penn – AAA Now! September/October 2015
P. 18
AAA
TM
DRIVING SCHOOL
AAA Driving School Keeps Mature Drivers in Safety Check
AAA has been working to enhance driver safety since its inception more than 100 years ago, so
it’s only natural that the AAA Driving School would be looking out for members throughout their lifetime of driving, from the earliest days as a young teen to the later years as a much more experienced driver.
Every year, AAA Central Penn’s Driving School offers several classes, throughout a large portion of the club territory, to assist drivers 55 years of age and up, to navigate the physical changes that occur as they grow older, understand how those changes affect the way they drive, and how they perceive the driving environment around them.
In addition to the physical changes, and how various medications may affect driving, our Mature Operator classes also cover the latest information on driving laws, techniques and other information geared towards making older drivers safer, better motorists who can maintain a high quality of life for as long as possible.
For example, did you know that the old “10 and 2” steering wheel hand placement that we were
all taught sometime in the Dark Ages (referring to the 10:00 o’clock and 2:00 o’clock positions on the face of a clock) has been updated to “9 and 3”? The recommendation was changed to accommodate the existence of airbags in steering wheels these
days, and is meant to help avoid or reduce injury to your arms and face in the event of a deployment.
As an added bonus to receiving great information, let’s not forget that you can get
a three-year discount on your car insurance premium by completing one of these classes as well. (Pennsylvania mandates a discount of at least 5% for qualifying drivers.) Our friendly insurance agents would be pleased to help you by providing a free, no obligation quote, so be sure to bring your current policy with you when you come to class to see if we can save you even more money.
If you are interested in further driver education, AAA offers an in-car component that transforms the Mature Operator classroom discussions into a real world, hands-on experience. Pricing is available for both singles and couples.
If you find that you’ve had a number of close calls on the road recently, your children are bugging you about your driving, or your doctor has expressed concerns about your safety behind the wheel, the AAA Driving School also offers
an assessment program for experienced drivers. During these assessments, one of our professional driving instructors will observe you while you drive in country, city and highway environments for
90 minutes.
Following the assessment, you will receive
a report in the mail with the results of that observation and objective recommendations as to what you may need to do to enhance your safety, and that of others using the roadway. The AAA Driving School is dedicated to your privacy, so this report will not be shared with anyone else without your permission. Please note that we are only permitted to administer assessments to those who are able to present a valid driver’s license.
The AAA Driving School wants to help you stay a safe driver for many years to come, so be sure
to look at page 19 for information on upcoming Mature Operator classes in your area. If you don’t see a class that fits your busy schedule, or there isn’t one available where you live, we also offer an on-line version. To register for an online course, visit our website – AAA.com/drivingschool. Registration forms for regular classes are available on the website. You may also visit one of our branch locations or call our office. Scheduling of assessments, or any other in-car services, may be arranged over the telephone or by appointment with AAA Driving School Supervisor Margaret Weinlein.
– Rick Ramsey,
Regional Manager, AAA Central Penn
18
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
Now!