Night-Driving Tips For Older Drivers (NAPSA)—Night driving, which can be problematic for everyone, can present particular mn challenges for older drivers. Even on familiar roads, mo- torists should use caution and watch for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists who will be less visible, especially during the first week of the return to standard time. AARPurges all drivers to consider the link between nightvisi- bility and safe driving. If you have trouble seeing well at night, it urges you to get your vision checked and consider taking a driver safety course to learn more about how to compensate in dark conditions and make sure you're driving when you feel most comfortable. To focus attention on roadway safety, AARP is proclaiming this November Driver Safety Month. Since folks will be driving more at night, they offer the following tips: e See and be seen. Get your headlights checked and turn them on one hour before sunset and keep them on one hour after sunrise to ensure maximumvisibility. e Stay alert on the road. With reduced visibility, it’s impor- tant to reduce your speed, be extra alert and maintain a threesecond following distance. Recognize and prevent drowsiness. The change in time can throw off your internal clock and may cause drowsiness, so run errands in the morning when you are fresher and morealert. Refresh YourSkills Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, the AARP Driver Safety Program has provided instruction to more than 12 mil- lion participants nationwide seeking to refresh their driving skills. If you have trouble seeing well at night, it’s a good idea to get your vision checked and consider taking a driver-safety course. The no-test course updates drivers’ defensive driving techniques and knowledge about relevant laws and offers strategies to compensate for age-related changes that may affect driving ability. The course also includes a section on assessing driving abilities, and since November is also National Caregiver Month, now may be a good time to have a “family conversation” about driving to help ensure your loved one stays safe on the road. Depending on insurance providers and state regulations, participants of the AARP Driver Safety Program courses may be eligible to receive a discount on their auto insurance premiums. Check with your insurance provider for further details. For information on course locations, call (888) 227-7669 or visit us at www.aarp.org/drive. For more information about AARP’s online course, visit www.aarp.org/drive/online.
