Spring is the perfect season for motorists age 50 and older to sharpen their driving skills and update their driving knowledge by participating in the AARP Driver Safety program, presented through a partnership between AARP, Spectrum Generations and Knox County TRIAD at Spectrum Generations, the Central Maine Area Agency on Aging's Rockland location on Friday, April 18 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Do you know how to best adjust your side view mirrors to eliminate blind spots? Do you know how to apply the three-second rule, and important here in Maine, when that should become a 4, 5 or a 6-second rule? The main thrust of the course is about giving yourself every possible advantage now, and as you age, to be able to continue to drive safely for as long as you can.

Throughout this driver safety seminar participants will be encouraged to look at their current driving habits while reinforcing the good ones, consider new habits, and increase awareness of changes in the roads, cars, and themselves. There is no exam, all work is in the classroom.

Those attending will learn defensive driving techniques and strategies, review new traffic laws, rules of the road and more in the four-hour course. They will discover how to adjust driving to age-related changes in vision, hearing, and reaction time through an interactive discussion about the changing technology on newer vehicles and the warning signs that suggest it's time to give up the keys. Best of all, in Maine drivers 55 years or older who successfully complete the AARP course are eligible for a car insurance discount, good for three years.

Course seating is limited; there is a $20 fee, with a $5 discount for AARP members; advanced registration is required. Remember to bring your AARP membership card so that your membership number can be recorded on the registration form. Summer residents and visitors are always welcome.

Driver Safety instructor Joyce Polyniak's second spring 2014 seminar will take place on April 18 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Spectrum Generations Knox Community Center, 61 Park Street, Rockland. There is a half-hour scheduled for your brown bag lunch. Beverages provided. To reserve you seat, call 207-596-0339 by noon on April 17.

Coastal Community Center located at 521 Main Street in Damariscotta will be hosting an AARP Driver Safety workshop on May 17 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. To reserve a spot in Joyce's Damariscotta class call 207-563-1363.