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  Nov. 17, 2010 12:22 p.m. triumph5 HalfDork

  "Older" drivers are a problem, it's clear. Telling a loved one to attend a course is often construed as challenging their sanity. AARP to the rescue, with a twist. By attending a course they just MIGHT SAVE MONEY on their insurance. which is not a bad tactic.

  Here's the link to find a course nearby. And there a LOTS out there. I found 5 within 25 miles of me.

  If the link doesn't work, let me know.

  http://www.aarp.org/applications/VMISLocator/searchDspLocations.action?cmp=NLC-EDO...

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  Nov. 17, 2010 1:37 p.m. Salanis SuperDork

  Thanks! My family has been really worried about my grandfather's driving. About a year back, he crashed his car after having blood sugar issues (he's diabetic). Most people don't want to ride with him.

  We've been looking for good ways to either get his head back in the game, or let him see that he is a problem.

  Watching videos of sportscar racing does not fully convey the experience. It's more like playing a three-way game of Speed-Chess while strapped to a chair... inside a giant beehive.

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  Nov. 17, 2010 1:44 p.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork

  The hell you say.

  

  Lord of drivel and harbinger of Floundering

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  Nov. 17, 2010 1:50 p.m. Rufledt Reader

  None near my parents, but they're not quite medicare age yet and quite clear headed and crash free, even on icy WI winter roads. My dad needs to watch his speed or watch for cops a little better, or at the very least remember to bring a radar detector! My mom, however, always remembers the radar detector

  I count myself lucky both of them aren't on the old person downward driving spiral yet.

  "A dog oversteers, which is more fun than an understeering hyeena, so you want a mazda mx5 because it's rear wheel drive."

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  Nov. 17, 2010 3:01 p.m. integraguy Dork

  My aunt in her '70s TAUGHT several of these classes for AARP. Unfortunately, her Master's degree in English, and her "honorarium" bestowed by AARP made her feel she was immune to traffic violations. She loved to speed.
  

  My father is 89-90 and my mother is 84-85, my mother had to quite driving when she contracted an eye ailment that is making her blind. She gladly gave up her car keys but now wonders what will happen when my father needs to?

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  Nov. 17, 2010 3:06 p.m. cwh SuperDork

  I AM Medicare age, and after a lifetime of driving fast, and getting the tickets to prove it, I find myself being one of the slower drivers on the road. It's weird when I realize that most cars pass me. But, truth be told, I'm just not in a hurry, and keeping away from the crazies here is a good idea. Occasional stop light grand prix, but done with great observation of what's around me.

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  Nov. 17, 2010 3:12 p.m. Toyman01 SuperDork

  I had a great aunt that was a freak behind the wheel. Not to mention she was under five feet tall driving a 1971 Impala. Had to sit on a pillow to see over the dash. At the tender age of 87 she passed my uncle on a two lane country road. He said he was running 70 in a 55. His best guess she was doing over 90. Two weeks later she stuffed the entire front of that car in a 36" culvert all the way up to the front doors. Talk about sticking a square peg in a round hole. The next day my dad and uncle had to tell her she wasn't allowed to drive any more. Not a good day needless to say.

  A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.

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  Nov. 17, 2010 3:22 p.m. triumph5 HalfDork

  In reply to Toyman01:

  That's why I posted the link. The family is no longer the hostile baddies that can be the scorn of A LOT of resentment. My mom was a retired School Bus Driver. When we had the driving discussion..ohhhh....But, she drove a mean electric wheel chair!! Thankfully it was all over rather quickly. Miss her.

  Anyway, in the link it explains 19 states mandate that by taking the course, the insurer must reduce rates, and insurance companies in 35 states voluntarily reduce rates.

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  Nov. 17, 2010 3:58 p.m. Don49 Reader

  I'm medicare age and still racing at the National level with SCCA. I always wondered what response I would get in one of those classes if I told the instructor I regularly drive north of 125 MPH. Not every older driver is less competent simply because of their age. Just sayin.

  2010 SCCA EP Sunoco Hard Charger

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  Nov. 17, 2010 4:06 p.m. triumph5 HalfDork

  Are you the guy who asked for the AARP entry-fee discount at the '09 Runoffs?. And agreed, not everyone who reaches medicare age is feeble, and incapable of driving.

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  Nov. 17, 2010 5:06 p.m. carguy123 SuperDork

  And what do you mean by older you young whippersnapper?

  Old is a relative term and I don't mean that all my relatives have gotten old.

  "mobilito ergo sum" I drive therefore I am!

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  Nov. 17, 2010 5:42 p.m. triumph5 HalfDork

  In reply to carguy123: Me and my AARP card appreciate being called a whippersnapper. I find "senior citizens" insulting and demeaning. "Old person/people", the same So, settled on "Older". Grasping for a title.. apologies to those who were insulted.

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  Nov. 17, 2010 5:59 p.m. Rufledt Reader

  Don49 wrote: Not every older driver is less competent simply because of their age. Just sayin.

  Quite true. I know people of all ages who can't drive safely! People definitly age at different rates as well. My 62 year old dad looks younger (and thinks better!) than plenty of people younger than him, but he stays very active, physically and mentally. He's planning on retirement, though, whenever he can't work anymore. And as he can still kill me in arm wrestling and figure about anything out, that'll probobly be a while.

  "A dog oversteers, which is more fun than an understeering hyeena, so you want a mazda mx5 because it's rear wheel drive."

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