Some Canora residents may feel a little safer on the roads after taking a mature driver refresher course on November 9.
A total of 22 drivers at the age of 55 and over attended the course, which was organized by the Saskatchewan Safety Council and sponsored by Community Insurance Inc. Liz Bahnuik, an insurance broker at Community Insurance, said the turn-out for the event was quite high considering the good weather.
The strictly informational course was taught by Patrick Vigneron with the goal of reinforcing safe driving habits. Subjects taught in the course included navigating busy traffic areas such as highways and city streets, changing lanes, adapting to driving based on physical changes, taking time to look around, making left turns in an intersection, dealing with skids, head-on collisions and the use of an air bag, hydroplaning, protecting the driver, distracted driving, sign recognition, pavement markings, and the influence of medication on driving.
“Stressed in the course were how to use your eyes and making sure to look around instead of staring straight ahead,” said Bahnuik.
Coffee and lunch was provided at the six-hour course, which seems to have had a positive impact on the students.
“Everyone called the course a positive experience and I think they learned a few things they never knew about before,” Bahnuik said.
