Published: March 29, 2008 11:06 pm      

Online training offered for older drivers

EDMOND — Older Oklahomans now can learn how to be safer drivers and save money on their auto insurance, all at their home computer.

AAA Oklahoma is offering an online course for drivers age 50 and older which makes them eligible for discounts of up to 15 percent on their auto insurance.

“Until now, you had to spend all day in a classroom to receive these benefits,” said Chuck Mai, spokesman for AAA Oklahoma. “Many older drivers had difficulty finding a convenient class. Now, it’s open to anyone, anywhere, who has Internet access.”

Most of the insurance companies represented by AAA Oklahoma, as well as many others, offer discounts on auto insurance to graduates of this online program.

Drivers age 80 and older have higher crash death rates per mile driven than any other group except teen drivers, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. By 2030, people age 65 and older are expected to represent 25 percent of the driving population, according to the IIHS.

The mature driver safety course covers defensive driving techniques, traffic laws and ways to adapt to age-related changes that can affect the skills and abilities needed to drive safely. The program takes three to six hours to complete.

Information is available at the News & Safety section of www.AAA.com; click on Driver Training. The cost is $15.95 for AAA members and $19.95 for nonmembers.

AAA is working with online driving school I Drive Safely to offer the service. I Drive Safely’s online courses have helped more than a million people become better drivers and lower their insurance rates.

“Our members frequently contact us looking for training to improve their driving skills as they grow older,” Mai said. “Now, we have developed a way to help them.”