Page 31 - AAA Magazine – AAA Ohio Auto Club – September 2021

Kimberly Schwind is the senior public affairs manager for AAA Ohio.
Driver Improvement Courses for Seniors
Driving is a skill that can and should be continually improved. AAA’s Mature Operator course is designed to keep seniors driving safer and longer.
Classes are two days; four hours each day from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Class fee is $25 for AAA members; $30 for nonmembers. Couples discount fee: $40 for AAA members; $50 for nonmembers.
UPCOMING CLASSES: Sept. 16 & 17 Oct. 21 & 22 Nov. 18 & 19 Dec. 16 & 17
Register at
AAA.com/MatureOperator or call 614-431-7888
All classes take place at AAA Ohio headquarters in Worthington.
“The first 10 years of my career I got to investigate a lot of crashes,” said Todd Scales, who also recently retired from the Ohio State Highway Patrol. “Then, as I became a supervisor, I was the scene
commander of a lot of real bad crashes. When I retired, I had a void, because I wanted to be of service to somebody. Something kept calling me, and my mind kept flashing back to my last two years in the patrol where I saw a lot of kids driving with cell phones on and texting while driving, and I knew it was going to be a major problem, so I thought I better do something to try to help them.”
The instructors say some of the
biggest mistakes they see new drivers
make are poor visual scanning, speed
control, overconfidence, distractions and picking up bad habits from parents and family members.
AAA understands that parents are instrumental in teach- ing their teens to drive. That’s why AAA Driver Education engages parents through parent orientation sessions, check-ins after every drive, and resources to assist families through the learning-to-drive process and beyond.
THE BEST ADVICE FOR PARENTS?
“Be patient,” said O’Riordan. “And, really look at this as an adult responsibility.
Have those adult conversations about how important it is to
be safe behind the wheel.”
“Take a deep breath and understand that we are here to help you,” said Burkhart. “We are going to give you tools to be able to coach your child.”
Bottom line: This passionate team of instructors is truly focused on guiding families through the learning-to-drive process and producing
the safest drivers possible.
For more information on AAA Driver Education and
to register, visit AAA.com/DriverEducation.
AAA-Approved Driving
Schools for Teens
• AMERICAN DRIVING SCHOOL 419-621-1890 • americandrivingschool.org
• CARROLL LYN DRIVING SCHOOL 740-654-3748 • carrolllyndrivingschool.com
• MYERS DRIVING SCHOOL
888-693-7760 • myersdrivingschool.com
• SUPERIOR DRIVING ACADEMY 419-525-6192 • superiordrivingacademy.us
AAA-Approved Advanced Driver Training
• BETTER OHIO TEEN DRIVERS 614-273-3649 • betterohioteendrivers.org
AAA members receive 10% off driver education and a free teen associate membership* at any AAA Approved Driving School.
*Offer valid on new Classic associate memberships in Ohio Auto Club territory. Parent/guardian must be an existing AAA member to redeem.
SEPTEMBER 2021 | 29