AARP driving course helps you know when to retire the car keys

You could make the case that our culture is automobile-centric. It's a right of passage to be old enough to drive, get a license, obtain access to a car and whoopee -- freedom!

On the other end of the spectrum, when does a person decide that he or she ought to turn in the keys and leave the driving to someone else?

AARP's Driver Safety Program helps individuals to refresh their driving knowledge and skills, and make that important decision. Started in l979, the Driver Safety Program is an intensive eight-hour session, usually presented in two four-hour segments. The course is designed for senior citizens but is open to all licensed drivers. In fact, the course covers much of the information needed to pass the Illinois state driver's license examination.

For experienced drivers, the program is a refresher course on the mental and physical skills needed to be a good driver. Eyesight, hearing and other physical changes are discussed. Also covered are safe driving habits such as how to avoid hazards, changes in roadway conditions and effective use of car safety equipment.

At the conclusion of the course, participants have a pretty good idea about their driving experience and whether it's time to consider retiring as a driver. As an added benefit, course graduates receive a certificate entitling them to a discount on automobile insurance. (Check with your insurance company as discounts may vary.) It is required that drivers take the class every three years in order to be considered for continuing the insurance discount.

Harold Sterling is district coordinator for the AARP Driver Safety program in this area. Sterling will be presenting the program at the Schaumburg Township District Library from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. April 8 and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. April 10. The program is free, but there is a $10 charge for materials provided to each participant. Call the library at (847) 923-3319 to register, as space is limited.

Sterling is not only district coordinator and an instructor in the program, but also a great spokesman and promoter of its benefits. "With every class, I enjoy being involved with this program," he told me. "We hear many life experiences from the students, often adding humor to the situations. AARP provides terrific materials complete with an audio-visual component. Since retiring, I have become an instructor because I believe in the program -- helping the students reduce the possibilities of a crash or save a life. I know I'm helping to make a difference."

Sterling is looking for additional instructors. He explained that the training prepares instructors to teach the program. "Taking the course is the first step," he told me. "After that, instructor candidates work one-on-one with an experienced instructor. He or she also participates by teaching sections of the program with three other instructors. This is a great approach because the instructor candidate gets to see other instructors in action. While there is a prescribed curriculum, there's room for each instructor to make the presentation his or her own. This is a very rewarding volunteer opportunity," he said. "AARP does reimburse the instructors for approved program-related expenses."

Anyone interested in becoming an AARP Driver Safety Program Instructor should contact Sterling at (847) 882-8346 or hgsterling@comcast.net.

Listen to my complete conversation with Sterling on my podcast accessible at www.sarahlong.org.