Driving Courses For Seniors

By Author: Norris Rios
Total Articles: 572
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It's a fact of life that, as we age, our bodies slow down. The reflexes we relied to get us out of trouble are no longer so sharp. Worse, the eyes of a hawk that helped us spot danger on the horizon now need spectacles. We can still see but, with reaction times slowed, the risk of accidents increases. Yet, because public transport remains so poor, particularly in the rural areas, we need to continue driving. It's what keeps us independent. Everyone wants to stay behind the wheel of a car for as long as possible.

The national statistics show insurance is cheap up to the age of 55. Then insurers begin increasing the rates. It's a slow increase at first, but once you cross 65, the premium hikes are more real. If you want to continue driving after 75, the rates start to match those charged to teens. This reflects the accident rates. Although the damage tends to be less because we all drive more slowly as we get older, most insurers prefer us not to drive at peak times. Hence, there are discounts for low mileage during limited hours of daylight.

The most common discounts are offered to older drivers who go through defensive ...
... driving courses. This would be a genuine gesture toward improving safety on the roads if all the courses were behind a wheel. Unfortunately, insurers are currently prepared to accept online courses as satisfying the requirements. This means you can get a discount simply by logging time in front of a computer screen. Most of these courses take between four and eight hours to work through with the most popular being offered by the AARP. There are two major problems with this.

First, there's no check on the identity of the person sitting in front of the screen. No doubt there are grandchildren with the right skills who will work through the courses for a few dollars. This lack of security makes a nonsense of the discount requirement if it's intended to promote real safety. Yet, this is the way insurers currently work. The second problem is about learning outcomes. Ask anyone who's studied education theory and they will tell you people who study practical skills using books or online materials, rarely benefit. The only way to learn a practical skill is by doing and receiving immediate feedback on performance. Older people are more set in their ways and it takes longer for them to change their behavior. Only by sitting with an instructor in a car can seniors be given the level of training necessary to change the way they drive. Except this is relatively expensive.

At present, twenty-eight states have special licensing requirements for older drivers, i.e. renewing the license more frequently or taking a driving test. For now, you can save money by going through online driving courses, typically up to 15%. Talk with the insurers when you get the next set of car insurance quotes. With online courses cheap, savings often exceed $100 a year. But, if you want to be a better driver, pay the extra for one-to-one tuition behind the wheel. You know you should. Cheap car insurance should be about more than you paying less.