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The Citizen, 2003-12-17, Page 14PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2003. Drivers reminded to adjust driving habits to change Growing older doesn't mean you have to give up driving. No one loses his or her driver’s licence solely because of age. As we get older, we change. And while the years following the age of 50 can be wonderful, some of us become hard ot hearing, others need corrective lenses, and our reflexes may slow down. Drivers should learn to recognize individual changes and adjust their driving habits accordingly. Road Watch Huron wants to remind drivers that with the arrival of winter weather, all drivers should assess their driving ability and be aware of their individual limitations and the steps that they can take to improve their driving habits. Your health is a key factor in your ability to drive. In order to ensure that you can handle the demands ot safe driving you should: • Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure current and new medications will not negatively affect your ability to drive. Over-the-counter drugs and combinations of drugs can impair your driving. • Avoid driving if you are experiencing pain, because it can decrease your ability to concentrate and limit your movement behind the wheel • Have your hearing and eyes checked regularly. Peripheral vision and depth perception tend to decline over the years. • Your doctor can recommend an exercise program to improve your flexibility and maintain strength, which can improve your ability to drive. • If you are experiencing vision changes, unexplained dizziness, fainting spells or frequent, chronic or severe pain be sure to report it to your doctor. All drivers should evaluate their driving skills from time to time in order to ensure that they are not endangering their lives or those around them. The Ontario Ministry of Transpoitation and Road Watch Huron recommends that drivers ask themselves the following questions: • Am I experiencing an increasing number of near collisions? • Do I have difficulty concentrating while driving? • Do I get lost or disoriented on familiar roads? • Do I have difficulty co-ordinating hand and foot movements? • Am I experiencing vision problems, especially at night? • Do I get nervous behind the wheel? • Do I have difficulty driving through intersections, judging distance or seeing pedestrians, road signs or other vehicles? • Do other motorists frequently honk at me? • Do family members express MATCHES&LIGHTERt; Dangerous Teach young children to tell a grown-up when they find matches and lighters. concern about my driving ability? • How important is driving to me? Your answers to these questions can help you decide whether to continue to drive, cut back to certain times such as daylight hours, or to stop driving altogether. If you answered yes to one or more of the warning signs and you are concerned about your driving ability, talk to your doctor or family and get their opinions. Consider taking a driver’s course to refresh your knowledge of the rules of the Bunch of sheep Friends and family gathered at Blyth Public School on Dec. 10 for the annual Christmas concert rehearsal. Brandon Marshall and Morgan Howson are dressed up as little sheep and get ready for their performance. ABUNDANT STAFF WRAP UP CHRISTMAS! SCARVES • GLOVES • HATS • PYJAMAS SHEEPSKIN SLIPPERS • LEATHER MOCCASINS •■■'/•S'- S TWOOL COATS • BLANKETS • MOHAIR THROWS • SWEATERS JEWELLERY « LEATHER PURSES & LUGGAGE ♦ LINGERIE • CRYSTAL ...........' •. road and safe driving practices If you decide that you arc both healthy and sale enough to continue driving there are tips that you can follow to ensure you continue to drive safely: • Plan your route in advance. • Always wear your seatbelt. • Drive during daylight hours if possible, especially if your vision at night is limited. • Postpone driving in bad weather such as fog, heavy rain and snow. It is a good idea to keep a winter survival kit in your vehicle. • fisc familiar roads Avoid heavily I ravel led roads and peak traffic periods il these conditions make you nervous. • Slay alert • Leave enough distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you. • Avoid medications that make you drowsy, and don’t drive when you are tired, ill or under stress. It is especially important with winter weather right around the corner that all drivers follow these simple guidelines to take responsibility for the safety of their driving habits. For more information please contact Road Watch Huron at 482-3416 or long distance call 1- 877-837-6143.