FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Driving Decisions in Later Life – Hanging
up the Keys
August 5, 2003
Two of the most difficult times in life are when you want to get a loved one to stop driving and when you realize that you should begin thinking about giving up driving yourself. Yet, rarely, are these important topics addressed.
Victoria Schmall, Ph.D., Gerontology Specialist and President of Aging Concerns, will speak about Driving Decisions in Later Life – Hanging Up the Keys in Port Townsend and Port Ludlow. The sessions will cover age-related changes that can affect driving safety, how some medications and alcohol can impair driving skills of the elderly, suggestions on how to phase out driving by increasing use of alternative modes of transportation, and tips on how to talk with loved ones about their driving. Helpful information, including Dr. Schmall’s booklet entitled Driving Decisions in Later Life and Recommendation of Driver Reexamination Forms, will be provided free of charge.
It truly was a tragedy when an 86-year-old man seemingly mistook the gas pedal for the brake pedal and killed 10 and injured up to 25 others in Santa Monica, California this month, especially when he didn’t realize what he had done. Learn from his mistake and educate yourself on how aging affects driving skills and what you can do to keep unsafe drivers off the road.
Port Townsend Community Center,
Tyler & Lawrence
Thursday, August 7th 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Beach Club,
121 Marine View Drive,
Port Ludlow
Friday, August 8th 10:00 – noon
This
program is sponsored by Jefferson County Sheriff’s
Office through a grant from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
For more information, call Linda
Pfafman, Traffic Safety Task
Force Coordinator, 360-385-3831 ext. 521.