Safe driving course May 23

The Hot Springs County Senior Center will have a Driver Safety course on Wednesday, May 23 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The course, intended for senior citizens, is provided through the AARP with volunteer Barbara Gast instructing.

Gast has been teaching the course for more than four years, and the seven-hour class goes over topics such as physiology changes people go through as they age, including changes to their eyes and ears, as well as how any medication might impact their driving ability.

She also goes over changes on the road, such as increased number of drivers, new or changed traffic laws and how to be a better, safer driver. Since this a somewhat isolated area, she also provides information on how to pre-plan trips and what to do in case of an emergency.

Though much of the class is via textbook and video, there are also some practical activities.Most insurance companies recommend taking the course every couple year and those who complete it will receive a certificate that gets them a discount of at least 10 percent on their insurance.

The course is open to the public, with a cost of $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members. Those who want to get on the list for the course can call the senior center at 864-2151.