By Julie BUTCHER

As part of its national effort to support senior drivers, AARP has partnered with academic and corporate sponsors to bring vehicle safety and accident avoidance technology training to communities across the country. On Saturday, local resident Phil Downs taught an introductory class to a small group in a conference room at Verdugo Hills Hospital.

“The fact is that you and I – the ‘mature’ driver – are statistically, per mile, the most unsafe on the road,” longtime driving instructor Downs told the group. “We’re not what we used to be. We’re older and slower. We’re distracted by music and our phones, same as everyone else. We’re not good at multi-tasking. But knowing about what we’re doing is the best way to keep us hanging on to the steering wheel for as long as we can.”

“And that’s the aim here,” Downs emphasized, “to hang on to that steering wheel for as long as we safely can.”

The workshop introduced participants to various safety measures found on new cars and provided a checklist of devices and options to look for when purchasing a new or new-used vehicle. While the 90-minute training does not trigger an insurance discount, the successful completion of AARP’s eight-hour training results in a three-year certificate that is recognized by insurance companies in 38 states, by law. The eight-hour course is offered both in-person and online at a cost of between $15 and $25.

The AARP Smart Driver course teaches drivers how to reduce distractions and offers techniques for dealing with aggressive drivers, handling left turns, right-of-way, “roundabouts,” and the proper use of new technology “found in cars today.” For more information on this training, call the AARP at (877) 846-3299 or find them at www.aarp.org/drive.

“It’s a reasonable expense that will save you way more in the long run. Once we’re aware of what to watch for, our shortcomings, we can learn to be better drivers,” said Downs, who volunteers his time teaching these workshops. “I sincerely believe in what we’re doing here.”

The class was interactive and lively.

“I’m here because my wife said [to come],” said one class member.

According to the instructor, 47% of mature drivers (drivers older than 50) learn about the technology in their new cars from the owners’ manual, 20% from the dealer, and 26% by trial and error. To address that, Downs urged folks to schedule time with a local dealership to learn how to use all of the available assistance.

“The technology does not replace us, but it sure can help us,” he said. “This is that important to the insurance industry. For me, it costs $8.11 a day in insurance, every one of 365 days, every year. And the only way it goes is up.”

Downs spoke about aging and “giving up our keys.”

“This is going to happen to each of us,” he said but advised that by doing attending this simple workshop, “we can improve our driving performance by 37%. I’m going to do everything I can to hang on to my keys. What about you?”

As a local program supporter and part of this larger effort to help seniors be safer drivers, Downs noted that Bob Smith Toyota on Foothill Boulevard will provide introductory training by appointment for local seniors, regardless of what kind of car they drive or where it was bought.

AARP is the “nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age,” according to its website.

  Julie BUTCHER