Refresh your driving skills at AARP safety course

The AARP Driver Safety Program consists of two four-hour days, and is a driving refresher for motorists age 50 and older; however, any licensed driver may attend. Registration and attendance for all eight hours is required to receive a certificate.

The class covers much of the information needed to pass the Illinois state license exam, and discusses the eyesight, hearing and physical changes that drivers experience as they age.

Also reviewed are safer driving habits, how to avoid driving hazards, changes in roadway conditions and safety equipment on automobiles. There is also a discussion of when to consider driver retirement.

The class costs $10, to cover materials only. Classes are offered all over the Chicago area on a regular basis. Drivers can call (888) 227-7669 to locate a class if the following classes don't fit their schedules or visit www.aarp.org/drive.

Classes are taught by trained AARP Driver Safety Program volunteer instructors. Anyone interested in becoming an AARP Driver Safety Program volunteer can call instructor/district coordinator Harold Sterling at (847) 882-8346 for more information.

Upcoming classes in the area include:

• Arlington Heights Senior Center, 1801 W. Central Road. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. To register, call (847) 253-5532.

• Palatine Senior Center, 505 S. Quentin Road. 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. To register, call (847) 991-1112.

• Wheeling Township Community Center, 1616 N. Arlington Heights Road. 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday. To register, call (847) 259-7730.

• Zion-Benton Public Library, 2400 Gabriel Ave. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. To register, call (847) 872-2811.

• Lyons Township Office, 6404 Joliet Road, Countryside. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. To register, call (708) 482-8300, ext. 211.

• Lincolnwood Senior Center, 6900 N. Lincoln Ave. 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. To register, call (847) 568-0181.

• Swedish Covenant Hospital, 2751 W. Winona (Anderson Pavilion), Chicago. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday and Friday. To register, call (773) 878-6888.

• Copernicus SC, 3160 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. To register, call (312) 744-6681.

• Pavilion Senior Center, 199 N. First St., Wheeling. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday and Dec. 12. To register, call (847) 459-2670.

• Libertyville Senior Center, 135 W. Church. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday and Friday. To register, call (847) 247-7659.

• Schaumburg Police Department, 1000 W. Schaumburg Road. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday and Friday. To register, call (847) 348-7273.

• Levy Senior Center, 300 Dodge, Evanston. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday and Dec. 13. To register, call (847) 448-8250.

• American Legion Memorial Center, 6140 Dempster, Morton Grove. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Dec. 15. To register, call (847) 470-5223.

• Park Ridge Senior Center, 100 S. Western. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 11 and 13. To register, call (847) 692-3597.

• Des Plaines Senior Center, 515 E. Thacker. Noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 12 and 13. To register, call (847) 391-5717.

• Hinsdale Community House, 415 W. Eighth St. 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 12 and 13. To register, call (630) 323-7500, ext. 217.

• Good Shepherd Hospital, 450 W. Hwy. 22., Barrington. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 17 and 18. To register, call (800) 323-8622.

• Oakton Community Center, 4701 Oakton St., Skokie. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 18 and 20. To register, call (847) 933-4960.