The Lucknow Sentinel, 2014-11-26, Page 88 Lucknow Sentinel • Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Seniors' Driving
)Guest Speaker at
Dungannon
Seniors Hall
Valerie Gillies
Lucknow Sentinel
The potluck and guest speaker
were cancelled for the November
Dungannon Seniors group due to
weather and poor driving condi-
tions. In light of this, it seemed the
most opportune time to share the
driving advice of the previous
speaker, retired OPP Officer Andy
Burgess who presented 55 Alive, a
program to educate senior drivers.
Once a driver reaches 80 years
old, they must now retest for their
license every 2 years. Burgess
advises that to keep your driver's
license you will need to know how
to use a computer as the test will be
online.
Burgess stressed that in Ontario,
holding a driver's license is a privi-
lege not a right. A knowledge test is
no longer included for seniors, but
Burgess recommends that drivers
keep studying, not to keep up with
changes, but also to refresh their
memory on details.
One thing that Burgess got used
to while on the job was doing a
walk -around inspection before get-
ting in and starting up his vehicle.
He recommends that all drivers
should take the time to do this safety
check before starting the car.
Drivers should always read news-
papers and search out tips and skills
for driving. There are generally some
timely ones printed for specific sea-
sons and conditions.
It is recommended as you get
older to back into your driveway at
the end of a driving session when
you are still alert and in driving
mode. This gives you the advantage
having fresh practice at maneuver-
ing from having just completed driv-
ing. Doing this also eliminates hav-
ing to back out of the driveway when
you are just getting in the car cold to
begin a drive.
While driving, Burgess states you
should follow the COKE principal.
The C is for consentrate. This is a
reminder that you should stay
focused on driving and only on driv-
ing the entire time you are in
motion. The 0 is for observing.
While driving you should be con-
stantly observing what is going on
around your vehicle in all directions
and planning an escape route. Con-
stantly making sure things are OK. E
is for execute. When you see that
something is happening, you need
to take evasive action.
Further to this discussion on stay-
ing alert to your surroundings and
taking evasive action, Burgess gave
advice on dealing with deer. He says
do not try to stop quickly, but keep
driving and concentrate on driving
safely while under control.
Specific tips for seniors when
driving are focused on making
allowances for physiological
changes that occur naturally within
an aging body. The first most impor-
tant tip is to plan your route. Adjust
for everything. Drive in daylight
hours whenever possible as eyesight
will be declining. Avoid driving in
bad weather. Use familiar roads so
that you know where the bad spots
are. If there are places you are
uncomfortable driving, such as
tricky intersections or heavy traffic
areas, plan to take a different route.
The second tip is to know what
signals mean and make allowances.
Leave more distance between vehi-
cles than is recommended for
younger drivers to adjust for slower
reaction time, as well as leaving
more room at Stop signs. Stay in
your own lane, rather than making
frequent lane changes. If you take
medications that make you drowsy
or have other adverse effects, wait
GUST() MER
APPRECIATION
THURS. NO 27 — SAT 0V29
Thank ou,
nd ee of o mers!
We sincerely appreciate the fact that you choose to
shop locally, with us.
We are proud to serve you and hope to continue serving
you for many years to come.
lalli—IV
tvies toe
CO.A4 e
vie 6 • Decorations
In
Store
Specials
• Toys
r;Tr1
BBQ
Thursday Nov 27
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Support your local 4-H Clubs
Come see how you can
earn bonus airmiles.
TRUcwiiii"
&GARDEN
Valerie Galles
Retired OPP officer Andy Burgess spent his whole career policing in Kincardine.
He has been presenting the 55 Alive program for senior drivers for 20 years and
was the guest speaker at the Dungannon Seniors Potluck on October 17, 2014.
In the photo with Burgess is President of the Dungannon Seniors Barbara Smyth.
until the medications wear off.
Think of alternatives to driving. Seek
out other options, which admittedly
in a rural area and not as easy to
find.
Drivers were reminded that the
act of driving is a full time job. You
must have your full focus on the
driving. Driving safely as you age
involves continuous learning and
planning. When you do not have a
specific schedule to stick to, use that
to your advantage and do not go out
when there will be a lot of buses or
in rush hour or known busy traffic
times.
At age 80 all drivers must take a
cognizance test. If a doctor sus-
pends your license, think of it as no
difference as it being a prescription,
not a punishment. Wait until you get
better and the condition is no longer
an issue then take the test on a com-
puter-based program to get your
license reinstated.
Because the cognizance test is
computer based, seniors need to be
familiar with a computer keyboard.
Burgess recommends planning
ahead to have hands-on computer
experience. This can be by visiting
the CAA website which has tests you
can practice with. There are several
sites only to practice up on cognitive
abilities to keep your mind sharp.
Burgess recommended 5 web-
sites where seniors can practice
their cognitive skills: 1) https://
www.yd.com/CogniFit.aspx, 2)
http://www.lumosity.com/app/v4/
personalization, 3) http://www.
brainmetrix.com/cognitive-train-
ing/, 4) http://www.happy-neuron.
com/cognitive-training, 5) www.
minddabble.com.
There are 2 other websites of
interest for senior; ontario.ca/sen-
iordriver and seniorsdriving.caa.ca.
TIME IS RUNNING OUT
THESE SALES ARE ENDING
0% Purchase Financing up to 72 months on select models
0% Leasing up to 48 months on select models
up to $10,500 Delivery Allowance on new 2014 models
Winter Safety Package, Tires, Rims & Sensors on most 2014 & 2015 Models
SEE MONTGOMERY FORD IN LUCKNOW & KINCARDINE FOR DETAILS.
ONTGOMERY1
Lucknow: Kincardine
519-528-2813 519-396-3436