The Association for the Advancement of Retired Persons (AARP) has been offering refresher courses for drivers age 55 and older for the past 25 years. Now, the same driver’s safety course is being offered online. And for those that take the course, they are eligible for a discount on their car insurance.

After years of driving, the AARP says, bad habits start to set in. As one gets older, reaction time and ability to judge distances decrease, while rules of the road and car technologies continue to evolve. A refresher course is recommended for those over the age of 55, and is meant to do exactly that: refresh drivers on the proper rules of the road.

Some laws say that insurance companies must give drivers ages 55 and older a discount on car insurance if they take the AARP course. The discount is small, roughly 5 percent, as the law does not specify the size, but is good for three years. However, perhaps more important than saving a few bucks, is preventing accidents.

Topics covered in the course include:

• Tune up your driving skills and update your knowledge of the rules of the road.
• Learn about normal age-related physical changes and how to adjust your driving to allow for these changes.
• Reduce traffic violations, crashes, and chances for injuries.
• How to maintain proper following distance at all times.
• The safest way to change lanes and make turns at intersections, especially when turning left.
• The effects of medications on driving.
• Limiting driver distractions such as eating, smoking, and cell phone use.
• Properly using safety belts, air bags, and anti-lock brakes.
• City driving versus country driving.

If taking the course in a classroom is your preferred method, most are taught in two 4-hour sessions. If taking the class online is preferred, the course can be completed at your own leisure with round-the-clock customer support available via phone or email. The fee for the course in a classroom is $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members, while the fee online is $15.95 for members and $19.95 for non-members.

Since its inception in 1979, millions of motorists have improved their driving through the AARP’s driver’s safety course. Today, the AARP is proud to offer their knowledge and education on safe driving online. Their website is interactive, as drivers can take an exam to test their driver IQ, as well as find answers to frequently asked driving questions that many seniors have.

Without a doubt, as the name implies, accidents will continue to happen. However, a safe driver is a good driver, and a good driver is less apt to get into an accident. And at the end of the day, getting to and from work or school safely is half the battle.

For more information on the AARP driver’s safety course, or to register, please visit: www.aarp.org/families/driver_safety.