Never too old to learn

As teens, they were criticized as reckless drivers. Nearly 50 years later, those same people are again having to prove themselves.

"Peripheral vision: The older we get the less we have," Donald Mastro, 55 Alive Mature driving instructor, said to a group of seniors.

The group of 20 gathered at the West Flamingo Senior Center to take notes and whisper to one another.

As a licensed, mature-driving instructor for the American Association of Retired Persons' course, 58-year-old Mastro teaches students how to drive safely despite changes that come with age, such as hearing loss, depth perception and visual impairment.

Such changes can be detrimental when behind the wheel. Seniors have the second highest crash rates per mile. Teenagers have the highest.

It's a U-shaped curve, said Essie Wagner, researcher in traffic safety for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "The highest per-mile crash rates occur among the youngest and oldest age groups."

Crash rates are high for individuals ages 15 to 24. During the intermediate years rates swoop to the lowest risk. They start to creep up again at 65, Wagner said. "But it's still not as bad as teenagers until about age 85."

Accidents for those over 80 are more deadly, though. A 20-year-old is four times less likely to be killed in a crash of a similar nature than an 80-year-old, Wagner said. The fatality rate grows as people age.

As Nevada becomes increasingly popular as a retirement location, the state's senior population is growing as is the number of older residents behind the wheel.

More than 115,000 Nevadans over the age of 70 hold drivers licenses. More than 250,000 residents over the age of 60 are licensed to drive.

While seniors account for more crashes per mile, they drive less frequently than other drivers, keeping overall crash numbers and car insurance rates low. But even with insurance rates that generally run lower than other age groups, many seniors find the payments high.

The 55 Alive program gives them a break on the rates. Those 55 and older who have a clean driving record and complete the course get a 3 percent to 10 percent discount.

"We save about $220 a year," said Las Vegas residents Geraldine and Henry Spacone, who recently completed a course at Sutton Home Senior Center.

This year about 3,000 Las Vegans have attended the course. Last year more than 7,000 attended.

The course is offered in 23 locations throughout the valley each month.

The eight-hour refresher course covers basic rules of the road and any new regulations. The material is directed at senior drivers facing physical changes that can affect their driving ability. There is no testing.

"We're not here to teach them how to drive. We're here to make them more aware of the changes they're going through," Roy McGuire, Nevada coordinator for AARP's 55 Alive class, said.

Slower reaction time is the No. 1 reason for accidents caused by seniors, McGuire said.

"A lot of us are reluctant to admit we have these problems," McGuire said. "You'd be surprised how many of us really believe that we have the same reaction time as we did when we were 25."

It doesn't mean that older drivers are not safe drivers, he said. It just means they need to be aware. "We stress defensive driving," he said. "Be prepared to react."

Tips Mastro offers to seniors include:

Mastro encourages his students to eliminate distractions inside the car such as talking, smoking and eating.

"I think it makes you more conscious of your behavior in the car," Geraldine Spacone, 79, said.

Seniors wanting to have their insurance rates reduced must take the course every three years.

"I think you have to be reminded," Helen Hakam, 75, who has taken the course a number of times, said.

However, she added, the course should also be taken by teenagers. "They're often more daring," she said. "And everyone in high school has a car. Those over 18 should be required to take the class every three to five years."

Ruth Rushing, 68, agreed. "Seniors are more cautious. When you're cautious you drive better, you don't take chances."

The NHTSA reports that while speed is the primary error in 15 percent of the crashes involving younger drivers, it is a factor in only 5 percent of crashes of older drivers. Right-of-way violations are the primary error in 18 percent of older-driver crashes.

While anyone can take the course, those 55 and older are the only ones who can get the insurance discount.

Mastro said the AARP began the course to protect seniors from skyrocketing rates. The program has been in place since 1979 across the nation. Thirty-five national insurers offer discounts. Nationwide, more than 6 million individuals have taken the class.

In Nevada drivers do not have to take driving tests once they turn a certain age, but those 70 and over who are renewing their licenses through the mail must include a physician's statement listing any medical conditions that may prevent them from operating a motor vehicle safely, Kevin Malone, Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety, said.

If licenses are renewed in person a medical exam is not required. But those who look questionable may be required to take a written or driving test or may be required to have a medical exam, he said.

Metro officers also may come across drivers whose ability they think has declined with age. When they do, they notify the DMV, which then contacts the driver requesting a re-examination. DMV receives an average of five such requests each month, Kim Evans, department spokeswoman, said.

Anybody who appears confused or disoriented at an accident scene may be reported. Those records are not broken down by age. Drivers who are reported are asked to complete a vision, written or driving test or a medical exam.

Problems with vision or disorientation occur most often among seniors, Evans said. "That is the age group you see those problems in."

Families concerned about an elder driver, but who are unable to confront the individual may also contact DMV. However, the amount of civilian requests are even fewer than law enforcement requests.

Many families don't want their grandparents or parents to know that they are doing this, Evans said.

"Some people are not really willing to give up their right to drive because it cuts into their independence," McGuire said. "There comes a time when you have to hang up your keys. Not just for yourself, but for others on the road."

Rarely do incompetent drivers attend the class, he added.

"Seniors attending the course are actually good drivers," McGuire said. "They just need to be aware of some of the changes they are going through."

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