Our Maine Street's Aroostook Issue 24 : Spring 2015 | Page 80

take good care of your health and driving is one of
them. Exercising (physical and mental), getting
enough sleep, and eating nutritious foods can all
help you sustain the flexibility, stamina, strength,
and coordination it takes to be a safe driver. Also, ask
your doctor or pharmacist if any of your medications
might affect your driving. Have regular eye tests,
hearing screenings, and physical exams too.
• Take a refresher course. There are online and
classroom options to help you brush up on your
driving skills and road safety rules. As an added
benefit, many of these programs offer a discount on
auto insurance to those who complete the course.
• Get advice. Don’t be afraid to talk to your family,
medical provider, or law enforcement officers
about changes in your driving ability or concerns
about getting behind the wheel. Doing so doesn’t
automatically mean you’ll have to give up your
license. Be open minded about when, where, and
how you drive as you age. There are many things
you can do to safely continue driving well beyond
age 65. For example, a simple vehicle modification
might be all it takes to make it easier to steer or
operate the foot pedals.
The bottom line is that driving is a huge responsibility no
matter your age. When you’re at the helm with two tons
of vehicle underneath you, safety must be your primary
concern for your wellbeing and for the protection of
everyone on our roads and sidewalks. But don’t let all
the terrifying statistics keep you from enjoying your time
behind the wheel. With driving comes opportunity - a
chance to visit amazing places beyond where your feet
can take you…or to just get to work in the next town
over. So when you get behind the wheel, have fun,
be safe, and give a wave if you see me working on my
bucket list out on Interstate 80.
Sources:
Center for Disease Control and Prevention, “Older
Adult Driver: Get the Facts”
Drive-Safely.net, “The Cold Hard Facts About the
Dangers of Driving” by Mike Rogers
TeenDriverSource.org, “Facts About Teen Driving”
Autos.com, “Car Crash Statistics”
HowStuffWorks.com, “Top 10 Safe Driving Tips”
HelpGuide.org “Age and Driving”
Healthy You is a free community program from Cary
Medical Center that addresses your overall wellbeing
including physical, mental, emotional, social, and
spiritual health. For program information or calendar
of events, go to www.carymedicalcenter.org or call
Cary Medical Center’s Public Relations Department at
207.498.1361.
Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is
not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please
consult your healthcare provider for health questions
and recommendations specific to you.
78

SPRING 2015

Cary Medical Center and the Fort Fairfield
Chamber of Commerce are hosting a Senior
Driving Expo on Friday, May 15, 2015
from 9:00 AM - noon at the Fort Fairfield
Community Center. Stop by this FREE
event featuring informational displays,
presentations, vision and hearing screenings,
brake reaction time testing, demonstrations,
food, prizes, and more. In conjunction with
the Expo, an AAA Roadwise Class will be
offered; those who complete the class may
be eligible for auto insurance discounts.
For more information, contact Cary Public
Relations at 207.498.1361.