Page 12 - AAA Schuylkill County – AAA Now! – November/December 2015

Making the Roads Safer for Senior Drivers
Experience counts, and seniors are the most experienced drivers on the road. The also tend to drive safer cars. And, when they recognize signs of diminishing driving skills, many begin to limit their driving to daylight hours and familiar roads.
“A car provides a level of independence and,
in many cases, has provided that independence for decades,” said Susan Smyrl, Insurance Agency Manager with AAA Schuylkill County. But, there comes a time when driving skills may begin
to diminish. When older drivers update their understanding of the rules of the road and make a few adjustments to their driving style, they make the roads safer for all of us.”
DIMINISHING SKILLS
Drivers 70 and older have higher rates of fatal crashes, based on miles driven, than any other group except drivers who are 16 to 19 years old.
More than 5,500 people aged 65 and older were killed in traffic accidents in 2012 with another 214,000 injured, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. By 2020 there will be more than 40 million drivers in this age group on the road, up from 35 million in 2012.
As we age, or eyesight wanes, hearing falters and
we aren’t as physically flexible as we once were. To help older drivers, insurers have partnered with state and local governments to create programs designed to address these needs.
SENIOR DRIVING COURSES
Refresher courses such as AAA’s Roadwise Driver may be beneficial for older drivers. They explain new rules of the road and new vehicle features, such as lane departure warning systems, and help seniors recognize physical limitations in vision, hearing and mobility. These programs also help drivers understand how they can compensate
for these limitations. Courses may be offered in a classroom or online and may even result in a discount on auto insurance.
IDENTIFYING THE SIGNS OF DIMINISHING DRIVING SKILLS
If you have concerns about the driving of an elderly parent or friend, you may want to be aware of a few signs of possible unsafe driving behavior. Some indicators include drivers who:
• Have small dents, scratches or other marks on
their car
• May have trouble reading or seeing road signs while driving
• Are easily distracted or startled while driving
• Have difficulty turning their head from left to right • Experience a loss of hearing
Online quizzes and interactive driving evaluation courses from groups such as AAA can also help drivers evaluate their sills. Other resources can
be found at SeniorDriving.AAA.com. For more information about senior driving programs and insurance discounts for completing driver refresher courses, contact your local AAA office.
CUT PRESCRIPTION
Did you know that you can use AAA Prescription Savings and receive discounts on your PET prescriptions and save?
Just ask your vet to write a prescription that you can fill at a participating pharmacy and present it to your pharmacist. It’s that easy to save on prescriptions - for EVERY member of your family.
Start saving today! Simply present your AAA card to your pharmacist when filling your prescription. Visit AAA.com/prescriptions for more information and to locate a participating pharmacy near you.
* AAA Prescription Savings is NOT insurance. Discounts are only available from participating pharmacies.
up to 50%*
EXCLUSIVE AAA HOLIDAY SHOPPING EVENT
40% OFF YOUR TOTAL PURCHASE AT
REEBOK & ROCKPORT OUTLETS! December 5 - 20, 2015
Don’t let the savings end!
AAA Members SAVE 20% OFF every day!**
*AAA/CAA special member offer of forty (40) percent off is applied to the original outlet price of each item. Cannot be combined with any in-store promotion including: $.95 sale endings, Buy 1, Get 1, 50% Off, 2 For, % Off promotions, or with any other coupon, promotion, or member discount offers. Excludes styles with $.58 endings, prior purchases, & gift cards. Valid only at U.S. Reebok & Rockport Outlet Stores. Valid 12/05/15 – 12/20/15. **Some exclusions apply. For complete details visit AAA.com/restrictions.
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