FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Megan Sanborn
207-626-8405
November 9, 2012

Secretary of State Charles E. Summers, Jr. and AAA Northern New England Help Maine’s Aging Drivers Prepare for the Future

Secretary of State Charlie Summers will join AAA at Seniors Plus in Lewiston to host “Keeping the Keys”

LEWISTON- Maine Secretary of State Charlie Summers and AAA Northern New England have teamed up to host “Keeping the Keys” an initiative to ensure that senior drivers are aware of  resources available to them to enhance their driving skills and ensure mobility as they age . The free presentation will be held at Seniors Plus 8 Falcon Rd Lewiston from 9:00am to 10:30am on Monday November 12th.

Topics addressed:

  • How driving skills change over time
  • How drivers deal with these changes
  • How drivers can take action to extend their safe driving careers
  • How drivers can plan ahead for continued mobility
  • Resources available to help with decisions along the way

Older Americans today are healthier and more active than ever before. The aging baby boomer generation is the fastest-growing demographic in the U.S. By 2030, there will be more than 70 million people age 65 and older, and approximately 85-90 percent of them will be licensed to drive. In fact, seniors are outliving their ability to drive safely by an average of 7-10 years and for the first time in history; we must plan for our “driving retirement” just as we plan for our financial retirement

?The ongoing partnership that the Secretary of State?s Office has with AAA Northern New England continues to benefit Maine people by identifying solutions and promoting best practices. I think it is critically important to help assist seniors in maintaining their independence in such a rural state. I want to ensure that Maine people are able to continue driving as long as it?s safely possible,? said Secretary Summers.