The American Association of Retired Persons is honoring veterans during November by offering AARP Driver Safety classroom course at no charge to veterans. The course is set for 8 a.m.-noon Nov. 10 at Tiffin AMVETS, 1909 S. SR 100, Tiffin.
Tom Joseph, advocacy volunteer for AARP Ohio and a veteran, is hoping other veterans take advantage of the class. Because he often drives to Texas to visit his grandchildren, Joseph attended the class in Sandusky last year and met the instructor, Jim Seiler of Fremont.
"He has been doing the safe driver course for AARP for a number of years. He's very good, too, because I went to the class," Joseph said.
After that, Joseph contacted the AARP office in Mansfield to see if Seneca County could host a class. Welden Neff, another local veteran, had distributed fliers to veterans organizations, and he also asked if Tiffin could offer the four-hour course. He even offered the AMVETS hall as the venue. Joseph then called Kenneth Kilby, director of AARP Ohio, who gave the OK to make arrangements for the class in Tiffin.
A press release states AARP Driver Safety for drivers age 50 and older first was offered in 1979. Since then, it has helped millions of older drivers with proven safety strategies. Motorists can maintain confidence behind the wheel, whether they are driving around their community or across the country.
Military personnel who are serving or have served in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard, Reserves or Coast Guard and thir dependents are eligible.
The course is open to non-veterans at a cost of $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-AARP members. Participants must register by calling (419) 448-1901.
The class includes video presentations and a booklet for participants to take home. Joseph said he found the course helpful and informative. For example, guidelines for adjusting the rear view mirror have changed over the years.
"When I went to driver's ed back in the 60s, I was taught you set up your rear view mirror so you can see the corner of your car while you're backing out of the garage. Well now, you set it so you can see the guy coming up on the outside lane passing you in your blind spot," Joseph said.
In addition, each person completing the class is to receive a certificate. Joseph said most insurance companies give policy holders a discount for taking the course. People should contact their insurance agents for details. Veterans who cannot attend in person Nov. 10 can receive a 50 percent discount on the online version of the course Nov. 1-30.
