Posted on Friday, July 7th, 2017 at 7:02 pm
The California Highway Patrol is educating and raising awareness for safe driving habits by offering free driver safety classes targeted to both teenage drivers and senior citizens.
Class for Teen Drivers
As reported by The Sacramento Bee, The North Sacramento division of the California Highway Patrol is offering a Start Smart class for teenagers. Parent and guardian attendance is strongly recommended for both classes on June 13th and June 27th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the conference room at the Sacramento Water and Sewer Treatment Plant located at 5026 Don Julio Blvd in the Foothill Farms area of Sacramento. The class will provide information about driver responsibility, distracted driving, collision trends, collision avoidance tips, and the dangers of drunk driving. If you are between 15 and 19 years of age and would like to register for this class email Officer Chad Hertzell at chertzell@chp.ca.gov or inbox privately on the North Sacramento CHP’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/chpnorthsac.
Class for Senior Drivers
A separate free Age Well Drive Smart class is offered for senior citizens on June 26th at Esparto Regional Branch Library, located at 17065 Yolo Ave., in Esparto from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Age Well Drive Smart class is for senior citizens and will focus on refreshing the knowledge of road rules, evaluating driving skills, and learning how age-related physical changes impact driving ability for seniors. The class will provide corrective options for learned driving behaviors. If you are a senior and are interested in signing up for this class, call the CHP’s Woodland-area office at 530-662-4685.
A grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provided funding for both the Start Smart and Age Well Drive Smart programs.
Being a Safe Driver at Any Age
Whether young or old, all drivers can benefit from education on safe driving habits. The more that motorists know about safety and consequences when driving, the more aware that motorists can be if they realize they ae not driving within safe parameters.
Teenage drivers should practice these tips to assist in better driving:
- Put cell phones away while driving.
- Allow enough space between your car and the car in front of you
- Expect the unexpected. Never assume what the other driver is going to do.
- Travel at a safe rate of speed so that you can stop properly without ending on someone’s bumper.
- If a light is transitioning from yellow and red, do not gamble with your life and run the red light.
- Never drink and drive!
Senior drivers are safe and conscientious drivers. However, physical and mental aging issues can interfere with a senior driver’s ability to operate a motor vehicle safely. Senior drivers should practice these steps to stay safe while they drive:
- Drive a car that accommodates your needs.
- Plan your trip before you leave home. If a senior driver is unsure about where they are going, they should call for directions beforehand or use a GPS.
- Regular doctors’ visits to access appropriate medications.
- It is always good practice to have your vision check and prescriptions correct.
- If you have a physical immobility that requires modifications on your vehicle make sure that, they are to doctor’s specifications.
- Hearing aids are important to senior drivers who need them. Keep sounds in the car to a low minimum.
Do You Need a Sacramento Car Accident Attorney?
If you are injured in a traffic accident, the Sacramento accident attorneys of The Tiemann Law Firm can help. You can request your free legal consultation by calling our office at (916) 999-9000 or by visiting our website. Our law firm serves clients in Sacramento, Folsom, Roseville, El Dorado Hills and other communities in the greater Sacramento area.
