POLAND, Ohio - Campbell resident Mary Kovach has more experience behind the wheel than most of us, although as she's aged, driving has become more of daunting task.
"It has changed a lot because there are a lot more cars on the road. The traffic is very heavy," Kovach said.
She's not ready to throw on the breaks and hang up the keys just yet, which is one of reasons why she's taking part in a state certified driving class put on by Triple A.
"It's worthwhile and you want to review these things at some point," Kovach said.
Statistics show that as people age, they're more at risk for becoming involved in accidents. Triple A's Safety Advisor, Lori Cook, says people over the age of 75 have a crash rate 17 times greater compared to people who are younger.
"A driver makes an average of 20 different driving decisions as they drive down the highway in the course of a mile and if you think about a senior driver trying to do that, it's not because they are not capable, it's just takes them a little bit longer," Cook said.
Which is why Triple A encourages seniors, like Mary, to look farther ahead, start doing things sooner, avoid left turns, adjust mirrors to eliminate blind spots, remove distractions like handicap signs and to sit at least three inches above the steering wheel.
"If you know anything about senior drivers they have all the experience in the world, but there are a lot of changes that they are going through. Their vision changes, their reflex time changes, so we try and put into the state approved eight hour course enough information to help them adapt their driving to driving better, longer and safer," Cook said.
"I've been driving for a long time and I needed that. I needed that refresher course," Kovach said.
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