Crime & Safety

Police Share Safety Tips, Classes for Mature Drivers

Livermore Police Department this month will focus on educational efforts for mature drivers.

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The Livermore Police Department will be focusing on educational efforts for mature drivers in the month of July as part of an on-going traffic safety program. Mature drivers are drivers over the age of 65 years.

Nationwide, mature drivers represent approximately 13 percent of the driving public. Those numbers are expected to increase and it is anticipated that by the year 2030, mature drivers will represent approximately 25 percent of the driving public. In 2007, nearly 200,000 mature drivers were injured in traffic collisions nationwide. It should also be noted that 79 percent of fatal traffic collisions involving mature drivers occurred during the day time.

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In the interest of public safety, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires all drivers at the age of 70 and older to physically go to their local DMV office when it's time to renew their driver's license. They are required to take both a written and eye test.

California DMV also has a re-examination process for persons who are diagnosed with recent physical or mental condition, or a poor driving record. Re-examinations are generated from many sources including, physicians, emergency technicians, family members, peace officers, and the driver license renewal application.

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The primary restriction for senior drivers is vision related and usually requires the driver to wear glasses or corrective contact lenses. Other common restrictions include, but are not limited to: Restricted freeway driving, driving a vehicle with an additional right side mirror and driving from sunrise to sunset.

Older drivers are often the safest drivers in that they are more likely to wear their seatbelts, and less likely to speed or drink and drive. However, older drivers are more likely to be killed or seriously injured when a crash does occur due to the greater fragility of our bodies as we age.

One way for the mature driver to stay up to date with new laws, roadway designs and safe driving practices is a class offered by the American Association Retired Persons (AARP). This class is for drivers age 50 and older. It is taught in one-eight hour class or in two-four hour classes. For a member of the AARP the class is $12, for a non-member $14. It focuses on vehicle code laws, safe driving practices and defensive driving. Many car insurance carriers will discount the mature driver’s insurance by showing them a certificate of completion. The class is offered through Livermore Area Recreation Parks District. For more information call the senior center at 925-373-5660.

If you are a mature driver and wish safety tips, don’t hesitate to call the Livermore Police Department. We would like to remind all drivers to drive safely and to drive within their limits.


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