AAA Arizona expands senior driver resources

AAA Arizona has expanded its products and resources for senior drivers to inform and educate them on the challenges they will face with age, so they can stay behind the wheel as long as safely possible, officials said.

Whether a driver wants to evaluate and improve their driving skills in the privacy of their home or with private instruction, AAA Arizona offers a variety of driver training programs that can help to assess functional areas of driving as well as redevelop particular driving skills. These products and programs include:  

• DriveSharp, the newest offering from AAA, is a computer software program that focuses on the visual systems in the brain that are essential to safe driving. It strengthens the brain’s ability to process what you see so that you can focus better, keep track of more on the road, and react faster while driving. Improvements in your visual processing skills decrease your risk of crashes and ensure that you feel more confident behind the wheel.  AAA members can purchase DriveSharp for $99 by visiting www.drivesharpnow.com/az.
• Keeping the Keys is a free 90-minute workshop that aims to educate and inform mature drivers on the effects that age can have on their driving. In addition, the workshop offers mature drivers tools and resources they can use to maintain their mobility. Workshops are offered at a variety of locations. To schedule, contact AAA’s traffic safety specialist at 602.241.2945 or rbravo@arizona.aaa.com. The next workshop will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. July 22 at AAA Arizona’s Phoenix headquarters.  
• Roadwise Review is a CD-ROM that measures eight physical and mental abilities shown to be the strongest predictors of crash risk among older drivers and provides feedback to guide the user’s decision about their ability to drive safely. AAA members can purchase this program for $8.99 at http://aaaazstore.com/pr/.
• AAASeniors.com provides expert advice about how aging affects one’s ability to drive safely.  Users will also find a step-by-step guide on how to begin a conversation with an older driver about the need to work together to develop an action plan for the transition from older driver to passenger.  Additionally, users will find a variety of tools and resources from educational brochures and driver improvement courses, to skill assessment tools and free community-based programs. 
• I Drive Safely’s Mature Driver Course is an online course designed for motorists 55 years of age and older who want to combine their years of driving experience with new tools and techniques that can lower the risk of collision. Upon completion of the course, drivers are eligible to receive a discount on their  AAA auto insurance.
• CarFit, a free assessment that offers mature drivers the opportunity to check how well their personal vehicle "fits" them. At the assessment, trained CarFit technicians check to see that motorists have a clear line of sight, properly adjusted headrests, easy access to the gas and brake pedals and more. There are several AAA branch offices across the state with trained CarFit technicians. Appointments are necessary. To schedule, contact AAA’s traffic safety specialist at 602.241.2945 or rbravo@arizona.aaa.com. 
• Mature Driver Assessment Training Program by Driving MBA, a AAA Approved Driving School, evaluates seniors’ reaction time, visual acuity, peripheral vision and motion capabilities through a two-hour driving test. AAA members receive a five percent discount on this program. To learn more, call 480-948-1648 or visit http://www.drivingmba.com/.

“Most people assume that older drivers are more dangerous when as a whole, they are one of the safest driving groups on the road.  However, with age, these motorists often face challenges which may affect their driving ability,” said Linda Gorman, public affairs director for AAA Arizona. “AAA remains committed to making sure motorists are able to drive as long as they are safely able to do so by providing tools and resources to help guide them through any challenges they may face that can affect their driving.”