The Church of the Good Shepherd in Tyrone is sponsoring a AARP Driver Safety Program, which is a refresher course for drivers ages 50 and older, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on September 29 and 30.
Both sessions must be completed consecutively. A $10 fee per participant is required to cover handouts and student materials. All participants must be pre-registered and pre-paid. AARP membership is not required.
Those who take the course and are 55 years old or over are eligible for a state-mandated five percent discount on their auto insurance for a three year period. If there are two or more individuals age 55 or older on an automobile policy, all must take the course to be eligible for the discount.
The sessions are designed as a refresher course to help drivers to improve driving skills and prevent crashes. It also covers age-related physical changes in perception and reaction time, rules of the road and local driving problems.
According to AARP volunteer driver safety class instructor Larry Hainley, it is important to register early because 30 people have already signed up for the class at the Church of the Good Shepherd, and there is only room for approximately five or so more participants.
“It’s a very popular class,” added Hainley. “Right now there are 10 classes scheduled around the area, and every class gets a lot of activity.”
Hainley said in the four county region of Blair, Bedford, Fulton and Huntingdon counties there is up to 75,000 seniors ages 55 and older who may benefit from this course.
Right now the driver safety program is gaining momentum in the area as more people become aware of its existence.
Currently, 11 individuals are certified to teach the course, which allows more classes to be offered. Tyrone resident Scott Hiller recently received his instructor certification and will soon be the area instructor for courses in the Tyrone area.
“It’s a matter of us going out and making the public realize we are here,” added Hainley, who is currently teaching up to four classes a month.
Hainley’s class focuses on general information AARP provides as the refresher course, but he also adds knowledge of current laws like the helmet law, work zone law or booster seat law. He also tries to make his class fun for all involved.
For more information or to register for the course at the Church of the Good Shepherd, contact Claudia Keith, Church of the Good Shepherd secretary, at 684-2472 from 8 a.m. to noon on weekdays.
Another area class is scheduled for November 4 and 5 at 9 a.m. at the Bellwood-Antis Public Library and is sponsored by Bellwood-Antis Council of Churches. Contact Mary Anne Edminston at 742-7965 for more information.
