Having "the talk" with your senior driver...

It has been a while since I posted to this blog. Most of my attention lately has been with my photoblog. I did come across this interesting article about when to have the "talk" with your parents and when they should stop driving.

Some of the things to watch out for include:

• Unexplained dents and scrapes
• Poor judgment
• Getting lost or confused
• Feeling uncomfortable or anxious while driving
• Delayed responses
• Difficulty staying in own lane
• Close calls or near misses
• Poor attention to signals, signs, and pavement markings

Related websites in the article:

• American Occupational Therapy Association: http://aota.org/older-driver/consumer.aspx
• Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists: http://www.driver-ed.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1
• California DMV Senior Ombudsman Program: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/about/senior/senior_ombudsman.htm
• Eldercare Locator:  http://eldercare.gov/Eldercare.NET/Public/Index.aspx
• AAA's senior driving site: http://seniordriving.aaa.com/

5 Key Talking Points:

• Have an ongoing conversations, not The Talk
• Sharpen skills and seek solutions
• Recruit support
• Plan for driving retirement
• Take your time selling the car

For the on-line article and more details: http://www.calif.aaa.com/westways/2012/09/Pages/retiring-the-keys.aspx

Westways: Here Comes the Sun

Oh no...another interesting read.  This one is about protecting your skin this summer.

This one covers 10 things to know about UV protection:

• Skin Cancer is More Prevalent Than Ever
• Sunscreen Can Give You the Illusion of Protection
• You Don't Use Enough Sunscreen
• You Don't Apply Sunscreen Early or Often Enough
• You Have Too Much Faith in SPF
• You Needs UVB and UVA Protection
• You Can't Relay on your Cotton T-Shirt
• Sun Damage is Cumulative
• Suntan = Damaged Skin
• Lips, Eyes, and Scalp Need Protection

Click here to go to the Westways website for further details about the above key points.

Westways: Time to Re-Tire?

Wow, this recent issue of Westways has a lot of potentially interesting items of interest.

This is not an article about not having to work as much as you used to, but about whether it is time to replace the tires on your vehicle.

In the June 2011 issue of Westways, it mentions the steps to choosing tires for your vehicle, budget, and driving style.  They include:

• Get the right size and speed rating 
• Understand tire types and trade-offs
• Compare prices
• Read the warranty
• Check the "freshness date"  (do not buy a tire more than one year old)

Click here for further details on their website.

Westways: Gas-saving tips

In the June 2011 Westways issue, they have a list of gas-saving tips. They are:

• Slow down
• Don't rev up the engine, and avoid "jackrabbit starts"
• Maintain your vehicle
• Anticipate traffic lights and stopped traffic
• Don't warm up your car
• Consolidate trips and errands
• Don't haul extra weight around

Click here for further details (you will need to scroll down a bit).

New Car Seat Advice for California

On the recent Westways June 2011 Issue it refers to new recommendations as follows:

• Children should be in a rear-facing car seat until the age of 2 years
• Children should sit in a booster seat with a seat belt until they are 4-feet and 9-inches tall and up to the age of 12 years

Currently, Westways says that California law currently requires children to stay in a booster seat until they are 6 years of age or weight at least 60 pounds.

Click here to view further details on their website (you will need to scroll down a bit).

AAA Westways: Don't Leave a Child in a Hot Vehicle

In the June 2011 issue of Westways there is a reminder to not leave a child in a hot vehicle.

Kaitlyn's Law makes it illegal to leave children 6 years of age or younger in your vehicle without being attended to. Make sure you do not leave pets there either.

Click here to read further details on their website (you will need to scroll down a little bit).

AAA Westways - Travel Resolutions for 2011

I like this!   In reviewing a recent issue of Westways (the magazine for AAA members), here are some travel resolutions for 2011 by Paul Lasley and Elizabeth Harryman:

• Participate in a community service project sometime during my trip
• Seek out a learning experience during a trip
• Let the kids plan a complete day of activities on our next family vacation
• Learn to travel with only carry-on luggage
• Build a relationship with a good travel agent
• Spend more time in sidewalk cafes

For more details, click here for the on-line entry.