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Night driving tips for older drivers can help everyone who drives at night. Night driving presents different challenges for some people and AARP has some driving safety tips that can inform and help us all.
(NAPSI)-Night driving, which can be problematic for everyone, can present particular challenges for older drivers. Even on familiar roads, motorists should use caution and watch for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists who will be less visible, especially during the first week of the return to standard time.
AARP urges all drivers to consider the link between night visibility and safe driving. If you have trouble seeing well at night, it urges you to get your vision checked and consider taking a driver safety course to learn more about how to compensate in dark conditions and make sure you're driving when you feel most comfortable.
To focus attention on roadway safety, AARP is proclaiming this November Driver Safety Month. Since folks will be driving more at night, they offer the following tips:
• See And Be Seen.
Get your headlights checked and turn them on one hour before sunset and keep them on one hour after sunrise to ensure maximum visibility.
• Stay Alert On The Road.
With reduced visibility, it's important to reduce your speed, be extra alert and maintain a three-second following distance.
• Recognize And Prevent Drowsiness.
The change in time can throw off your internal clock and may cause drowsiness, so run errands in the morning when you are fresher and more alert.
Refresh Your Skills
Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, the AARP Driver Safety Program has provided instruction to more than 12 million participants nationwide seeking to refresh their driving skills. The no-test course updates drivers' defensive driving techniques and knowledge about relevant laws and offers strategies to compensate for age-related changes that may affect driving ability.
The course also includes a section on assessing driving abilities, and since November is also National Caregiver Month, now may be a good time to have a "family conversation" about driving to help ensure your loved one stays safe on the road.
Depending on insurance providers and state regulations, participants of the AARP Driver Safety Program courses may be eligible to receive a discount on their auto insurance premiums. Check with your insurance provider for further details.
For information on course locations, call (888) 227-7669 or visit us at www.aarp.org/drive. For more information about AARP's online course, visit www.aarp.org/drive/online.