Older Drivers Class At CV Library
Older drivers can top up their skills at the Castro Valley Library on Wednesday, January 18, in a popular annual class being offered again by the library and the California Highway Patrol.
"We want seniors to drive as long as possible and as safely as possible," says Officer Dan Jacowitz of the Highway Patrol, who teaches the class.
Topics likely to be covered include new laws that affect drivers, rules of the road, safe driving tips for any age, and compensating for the physical changes that come with aging, said Jacowitz.
“We want seniors to drive as long as possible and as safely as possible.”
It is a state-certified safe driving class, and insurance companies are authorized to give discounts to those who have taken it — but while many do, they aren't required to. Librarian Nathan Silva suggests checking with your insurance company first to avoid any surprises.
The class always fills rapidly, and while the spots are currently taken for this session, Silva is urging people to get on the waitlist. The library notifies people by e-mail when spaces open up.
"We'll try to get as many people in as possible from the waitlist, and consider offering it again soon if we know there are more people who would benefit," said Silva.
Because of the way the website works, people need to sign up individually even if they're coming together, he added.
To sign up, start at the Alameda County Library's website, https://aclibrary.org/, go to "Visit," then "Locations." Choose Castro Valley, then "Events," and click on the class.
One issue dealt with diplomatically at the class is that as we age, there often comes a time our bodies need us to switch to other ways to get around. Often it's friends and family who suggest this as gently as they can, but some aging drivers resist the message.
"If somebody told you at age 19 that a physical condition prevents you from driving any more, you'd resist this," said Jacowitz. "So do older people, wo have had decades more experience driving themselves places."
There are other ways to get around, particularly in the Bay Area, said Jacowitz. There are shuttle buses, regular buses, friends and family members often happy to drive, and various forms of car pooling, for instance.
"All transportation increases social networking," he said, "while in your car you're usually alone."
"It can open up a whole new world," Jacowitz said.