Every year hundreds of Island seniors take steps to improve their driving skills and maintain their independence by participating in the 55 Alive Mature Driving Course. The course is offered by the PEI Senior Citizens’ Federation with support from the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal.
“It’s important we continue to take steps to refresh and sharpen our skills behind the wheel,” says Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, Ron MacKinley. “By providing support to this great program my Department helps seniors improve their driving skills which can also improve the overall safety of the Island’s roads.”
The course is offered regularly across the Island by the Senior Citizens’ Federation and costs only ten dollars. It teaches participants to adjust their skills to compensate for physical changes that come with getting older. The six-hour program is presented in a classroom setting using power point presentations, student workbooks and group discussions guided by the instructor. The department provides course manuals and certification for program participants.
“I think this is a very important course for seniors,” says the President of The PEI Senior Citizens’ Federation, Eric Hammill. “It demonstrates that seniors are aware that they need to improve their skills as they get older, and that helps combat the stigma of the older driver.”
Several 55 Alive Mature Driving Courses are being offered across the Island over the coming months. Courses will be held May 13 and 14 at the Murray Harbour Community Centre, May 17 and 18 at the La Co-operative D’Hebergement Le Bel Age, Wellington (French-language) and May 31 and June 1 at the PEI Senior Citizens’ Federation offices in Charlottetown. To register for one of these courses or to pre-register for a future course, contact Barbara Young of PEI Senior Citizens’ Federation at (902) 368-9008.