North Carolina Driver & Traffic Safety Education Association

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AARP has been involved in driver-improvement education since 1969, when AARP volunteers began teaching the Defensive Driving Course (DDC) of the National Safety Council (NSC). Between 1969 and 1979, more than 400,000 people completed the course. By 1979, more than 4,500 volunteer instructors had been trained to teach the course.

The only concern was that the DDC program was designed for all drivers age 16 and older. AARP was convinced that older drivers should have a training program of their own, so in 1979, we created one: the AARP Driver Safety Program (then called "55 ALIVE").

“55 ALIVE” continued to teach defensive driving techniques but added information on age-related cognitive and physical changes that affect drivers. As opposed to younger drivers, whose typical violations include speeding, reckless driving, and DWI offenses, older drivers’ typical infractions include failure to yield the right-of-way, improper turning, and incorrect lane changing. Generally, older drivers have problems in driving situations that require quick responses, full vision, and interaction with other drivers. So the program taught participants how to adjust their driving in response to those changes.

Program Growth and Changes

Between 1980 and the early 2000s, the program continued to thrive, mainly because of increased acceptance by insurance companies. In addition, many states passed laws that mandated automobile insurance discounts to participants in the course. The first of these mandatory discount laws was passed in 1981, and the most recent was passed in 2001. Currently, 36 states and the District of Columbia have passed such laws.

Impact on Driving Behavior

Government entities and insurance companies conducted numerous evaluations of the program during the 1980s and '90s. Most research showed a strong, statistically significant correlation between enrollment in the course and reduced traffic violations. In most cases, the relationship between the course and decreases in accidents was not statistically significant. However, self-assessments by program participants indicated behavior change, with four out of five reporting that they adjusted their driving habits after completing the course.

AARP Driver Safety Program Today

With more than 9 million graduates, the AARP Driver Safety Program remains one of our most visible community service programs. It is a key element of our effort to support "livable communities." Those communities ensure, enhance, and sustain mobility and housing options that enable persons age 50 and older to remain in their homes.

The AARP Driver Safety Program grows every year and undergoes major revisions and updates every few years. Currently the program is considering new ways to transmit driver safety information, including special seminars and online programs. As the number of older drivers swells during the next few decades, the AARP Driver Safety Program will be there to help individuals keep their driving competencies as long as possible.

 

Quick Facts

About AARP’s Driver Safety Program:

  • Each year, approximately 30,000 courses are held in communities across the country.
  • Every year, roughly 600,000 people nationwide complete the program.
  • The AARP Driver Safety Program is taught by more than 9,000 trained volunteers.
  • Approximately 1 percent of the eligible driving population age 50+ take our program each year.
  • 95 percent of our participants tell us they change their driving behavior while taking our course.
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The AARP Driver Safety Program is an 4-hour classroom course designed to help older drivers: 

  • Update  driving knowledge.
  • Sharpen  driving skills.
  • Compensate for normal age-related physical changes.
  • Reduce  traffic violations, crashes, and chances for injuries.
  • Drive more safely.

The course is structured into 8 units that cover a variety of issues:

Unit 1: Begins by turning the focus on ourselves to see what we recall about the rules of driving. We do this by taking a pre-course quiz.

Unit 2:  Begin to understand the various physical and mental changes that take place as our bodies age. For example, changes in hearing and vision are discussed. Knowing our limitations may help reduce the likelihood of being involved in a crash. This includes a demonstration of how slower reaction time associated with aging becomes a problem for many of us.

Unit 3: Look at the most important driver safety strategies that we can practice to avoid crashes. We start with steps to take before getting behind the wheel. Once on the road, we examine scanning techniques, driving strategies such as using a three-second following distance, keeping a safety cushion, being alert at intersections, safe backing, avoiding head-on crashes, and understanding the dangers of parking lots.

Unit 4: Discuss other road users, including those we need to be extra careful around, such as impaired, distracted and aggressive drivers. The risks of cell phone use while driving are noted here. Also, we learn about safe driving with large vehicles such as trucks and buses.

Unit 5: Review road signs, signals, and markings, and learn how to handle the unique challenges of city/rural driving. Tips are presented for entering, driving on, and exiting the highway. We also cover how to properly change lanes.

Unit 6: Cover the most important vehicle safety features for us to think about. These include air bags, safety belts and anti-lock brakes with information that can help get the most out of these and other features. Some of the new technology found in today's vehicles is discussed.

Unit 7: Discuss how to judge  driver fitness and to think about how we can extend our driving as long as possible. Warning signs of unsafe driving are examined. The sensitive issue of knowing when to choose to retire from driving and how to talk about it is addressed.

Unit 8: Review the course, measure lessons in a post-course quiz, and explore other transportation resources. We identify safe driving actions to take in the future. This unit contains the "Additional Information and Resources" section with "nice to know" as well as "need to know" information on safe driving practices.

Volunteer with the AARP Driver Safety Program

download a pdf application

 

The AARP Driver Safety Program is taught and administered by a nationwide network of AARP-trained volunteers. Without volunteers, the AARP Driver Safety Program would not exist! Here's what you gain by becoming a volunteer:

  • Reimbursement for facilitating courses or other approved expenses
  • The opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with other volunteers
  • Thorough orientation and training
  • Appreciation by the people you help
  • The satisfaction that you are contributing to the health, safety and happiness of others in your community