- May 2, 2024
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Local senior citizens are learning safer ways to use the roads in AARP’s Smart Drivers course.
Like a lot of older citizens, Norman Daley has had a few close calls with angry, young drivers.
Years ago, when he was driving down Granada Boulevard towards Tymber Creek Road, when he noticed a young, female driver zipping in and out of lanes. As he went to change to the right lane to let her speed ahead, she zipped into the right lane to pass him.
“She came roaring up, so I changed to right lane as she changed to the right lane to pass me,” Daley said. “So she came swerving around past me and made the narrowing before I did. I smiled because I thought it was crazy. She gave me the finger. She looked in her rearview mirror and gave me the finger. I just smiled.”
As an instructor for AARP’s Smart Drivers Course, Daley said it’s important for people of his generation to keep updated with the rules of the road, like how you are not supposed to use your hazard lights unless the car is stopped.
“There are still some people who are not aware that we are supposed to put on our headlights while it’s raining,” Daley said. “Most of us don’t take the time to check out the features on our cars and that too can be a hazard.”
Though the majority of the participants in his class use the material to better their driving skills, he has had a few decide it was time to get off the road.
“I had a gentleman who took the course who was very animated as it went along,” Daly said. “When the course was over, he came to me and said ‘I’ve decided I’m going to turn in my drivers license.’ I told him that was a pretty big step and he said from the things that he saw and the information that we have given him that it was best move for him.”
In Daley’s opinion, medical status is more important than age when it comes to driving ability in senior citizens.
“There was a lady in the course who was 96 years old,” Daley said. “She was very sharp, took part in all of our discussions and had good input. I’m not going to put any age limit on drivers.”
Still, Daley said there are a few thing older drivers should take into consideration before hitting the road. The reaction time for senior citizens isn’t always what they think it is and a lot of older drivers get into accidents crossing intersections.
“I’ve had people in my class that will state rather than make a left turn across a lane of traffic, they will go around the block,” Daley said. “Which, if you know you have a limitation, then that is the best thing to do.”
Daley is offering the two day, three hour class Sept. 24 and Oct. 23 at Volusia Memorial Funeral Home. Call him 453-6056.
