Hospital Hosting AARP Driver Safety Program

DERBY — Griffin Hospital will host an AARP Driver Safety Program from 8:45 am to 1:15 pm on Sat, October 7 at the hospital, 130 Division Street.

The AARP Driver Safety Program is the nation’s first and largest refresher course for drivers. While the course is geared toward drivers age 50 and older, the course is open to everyone.

The training is designed to help you learn current rules of the road, how to operate your vehicle more safely in today’s increasingly challenging driving environment, and make some adjustments to common age-related changes in vision, hearing, and reaction time.

It also covers such topics as how to maintain proper following distance at all times; the safest way to change lanes and make turns at intersections; the effects of medications on driving; how to minimize the effect of dangerous blind spots; the importance of eliminating distractions, such as eating, smoking, and cell-phone use; proper use of safety belts, air bags, and anti-lock brakes and ways to monitor your own and others’ driving skills and capabilities.

Participants will gain a greater appreciation of driving challenges and how they can avoid potential collisions and injuries to themselves and others.

As an added bonus, participants can check with their auto insurance company about discounts for completing the course.

The cost is $20 for AARP members and $25 for non-members. Make checks payable to “AARP.”