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Seniors driven to be safe on roads
October 18, 2004--FRAMINGHAM
-- It was not much different than any other driver's education course --
an instructor and students going over the rules of the road together,
reading from a booklet and discussing driving safety.
But for two days last week, the students
were people who have been driving for decades.
The Framingham chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons
sponsored a Safe Driving course at the Memorial Building. Thirty local
seniors took part in the two-day, eight-hour course.
"We're all interested in being alert and good drivers," said Lucy Booth,
programs coordinator for the AARP and a participant in the course. "We
brushed up on a lot of things. Our reaction time is longer than it used
to be when we were younger."
The course was conducted by Harold Homefield, an AARP voluntary
instructor. Much of the two days was spent discussing safety.
Other safety measures include taking three right turns instead of a left
turn across busy traffic, Homefield said.
"It may take an extra minute, but so what, unless you're at the end of
your existence," he said.
Drivers who do not like to drive the high speeds necessary for the
highway should seek alternate routes, Homefield said.
Above all else,
drivers should not do anything that makes them uncomfortable, Homefield
said.
"If something scares you, don't do it," said Homefield. "Sometimes it's
better to be smarter than to have valor."
Diana Aykanian said she took the course because she wanted a refresher
on winter driving. She said she feels better about her driving.
"I think that's the whole idea," said Aykanian. "I think anyone taking
this course will feel more confident."
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