Local Driver Safety Training
AARP
The AARP Driver Safety Program offers local classes for drivers aged 50 plus. The courses cover many topics related to being an older driver such as traffic rules, staying flexible, medications, etc. The course is designed to help you remain a safe driver. It covers normal age-related physical changes and how to adjust your driving to allow for these changes. Additionally, all insurance companies offer a discount to AARP Driver Safety graduates.
Courses are offered throughout the year. Each class is eight hours long, most commonly in two four-hour segments over two days. In San Mateo County, courses meet at nearly 20 locations throughout the county. AARP now offers a four-hour renewal course for previous graduates.
For information on AARP Driver Safety courses in your area, and for other helpful information, go to AARP’s Driver Safety website or call 888-AARP-NOW or 888-227-7669.
CHP
The California Highway Patrol offers an Older Driver Traffic Safety seminar in conjunction with the San Mateo County Commission on Aging and San Mateo County Supervisor Adrienne Tissier. The free class is three hours long and includes having a SamTrans bus demonstration at every event.
To register for the seminar or for more information, please contact the office of Supervisor Adrienne Tissier at 650-363-4572.
DriveWell
SamTrans staff is trained to present DriveWell information to interested individuals and organizations. DriveWell is a compendium of information assembled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the American Society on Aging (ASA) to create understanding of issues related to older drivers and later-life independence and mobility. It focuses on health, fitness, assessment of driving abilities, ways to counsel on safe driving habits, alternatives to driving and how to discuss driving retirement with a family member. Each session includes demonstration of a SamTrans bus to acquaint participants with public transit. This program is free of charge.
For more information call 650-508-6475.
Other Driver Safety Resources
Self Assessments
If you are becoming concerned about your ability to drive a vehicle, information developed by various aging and traffic safety groups may help you determine whether you need to have a more formal evaluation of your driving abilities.
Roadwise Review—AAA (online tool)
The AAA Roadwise Review is an interactive online tool that helps you identify potential aging-related driving issues, identify steps to reduce risk, and monitor your driving health in private.
Go to www.seniordrivers.org and click on “Measuring Your Driving Skills.”
Driving Decisions Workbook
The University of Michigan developed a 47-page workbook to help older drivers evaluate their ability to drive safely. The workbook is available online at www.umtri.umich.edu/library/pdf/2000-14.pdf.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Brochures
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has developed a series of pamphlets that address older adults’ ability to drive safely. These include “Safe Driving for Older Adults” and pamphlets dealing specifically with driving when you have had a stroke or have various conditions, such as arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, sleep apnea, diabetes or seizures.
Brochures can be ordered by calling the NHTSA at 888-327-4236 or can be viewed online at http://icsw.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/olddrive.
Adjusting Your Vehicle
Proper adjustment of seats, mirrors, headrests and the steering wheel can help keep you driving safely. A variety of simple devices can be added to help compensate for physical changes or simply to make the vehicle fit you more comfortably and safely. The American Society on Aging, the American Automobile Association and AARP have developed a program called CarFit, Helping Mature Drivers Find Their Perfect Fit. For more information go to www.car-fit.org or to www.aarp.org/home-garden/transportation/driver_safety/.
Talking to Family and Friends
The Hartford insurance company and the MIT AgeLab have developed
a guide to help families initiate productive and caring conversations with
older adults about driving safety. A 24-page free brochure called
"We need to talk…Family conversations with older drivers" is available
from:
The Hartford
We Need to Talk
200 Executive Boulevard
Southington, CT 06489
The information is also available at www.thehartford.com/talkwitholderdrivers/.
DMV Licensing
The Department of Motor Vehicles does not take away your driver’s license when you reach a certain age. Your mental and/or physical condition or your inability to follow traffic laws and rules regardless of age determines whether your license is renewed, restricted, suspended or revoked. All customers age 70 or older must renew their driver’s license in person at a DMV office. Restrictions may be imposed relating to declining physical condition.
The number one restriction for senior drivers is vision-related and usually requires the driver to wear glasses or corrective contact lenses. Some other common restrictions are no freeway driving, no nighttime driving, no rush hour driving and driving only with proper support to ensure a proper driving position.
| For more information: | 1-800-777-0133 TTY 1-800-368-4327 |
Disabled Parking Placards
You can get a Disabled Person (DP) placard or license plates if you have impaired mobility and a licensed physician, surgeon, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner or certified nurse-midwife certifies your condition.
The DP placard and plates entitle you to park your vehicle in handicap parking spaces, a blue or green curb, on street metered parking spaces at no charge and areas that require residential or merchant permits. You do not have to own or drive the vehicle to use the DP placard.
| For more information: | 1-800-777-0133 TTY 1-800-368-4327 |
Or www.dmv.ca.gov/about/senior/senior_top.htm (click on "Disabled Person Placard or Plates”). |
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