Officials with the State Department of Public Safety and the American Association of Retired Persons say even elderly motorists need to brush up on the rules of the road.
Given a slower ability to react to dangerous situations, and the fact that the majority of senior motorists haven't had a driver's course since they were 16, experts say freshening up on defensive driving skills couldn't hurt.
To sweeten the deal, Utah law allows for a multiyear discount on auto insurance premiums for people older than 55 who take the course.
AARP will be holding classes in their driver safety program beginning this month at various locations throughout the valley.
"It's meant to be a refresher course," said AARP associate director Laura Polacheck. "It goes through highway driving, basic defensive driving, going through intersections and how to use your mirrors. There are certain things that you just forget."
According to accident statistics from the Utah Department of Public Safety, senior motorists aren't the most dangerous drivers on the road. Statistics show that the majority of auto accidents are caused by motorists in their teens and early 20s. However, seniors are more likely to die in a car accident than their younger counterparts.
"It helps those who take the class to kind of refresh them on what's important and what to do while driving," said Utah Highway Patrol spokesman Wade Brewer, who said delayed reactions by older drivers could explain some accidents but pointed out that inexperienced younger drivers were the most dangerous.
One state insurance official said because seniors tend to drive less, their skills may wane.
"Typically, you see that seniors use their cars less, because they don't have to drive to and from work as much," said Brad Tibbitts, director of the property casualty division with the Utah Department of Insurance. "As we get a bit older, sometimes we get a bit confident in our driving."
Tibbitts said although a discount in insurance for taking the class is part of the law in Utah, the actual amount of the discount is left up to the insurance carrier.
Polacheck said the driver safety program has been offered by AARP for many years. To find a local class, call 1-888-687-2277 or 1-888-227-7669.
Upcoming classes for motorists
Kearns Senior Center, 4850 W. 4715 South, Kearns, 965-9183, today and Tuesday, Aug. 10, both 12:30 p.m.
Harmon Home, 4090 S. 3600 West, West Valley City, 966-5540, Thursday, Aug. 12, and Friday, Aug. 13, both 10 a.m.
St. Joseph Villa, 451 Bishop Federal Lane, 272-2642, Thursday, Aug. 19, 12:30 p.m., and Friday, Aug. 20, 4:30 p.m.
South Jordan Senior Center, 10778 S. Redwood Road, South Jordan, 302-1222, Monday, Aug. 23, and Wednesday, Aug. 25, both 10 a.m.
West Jordan Senior Center, 8025 S. 2200 West, West Jordan, 561-7320, Tuesday, Aug. 24, and Wednesday, Aug. 25, both 12:30 p.m.
Mount Olympus Senior Center, 1635 Murray-Holladay Road, 274-1710, Thursday, Aug. 26, and Friday, Aug. 27, both 10 a.m.
E-mail: gfattah@desnews.com