1/17/08

Roughly 3200 New Mexican drivers who take AAA's safe-driver classes each year will have to turn to other sources, or go online, for classes after this Saturday. Why? The corporate offices of AAA are closing the in-person version of their classes, effective January 31, 2008.

According to AAA New Mexico's spokeswoman Jeannie Chavez said that the were also "…closing the government affairs department, which is responsible for administering the program."

Safety class instructors, like Roland De Rose who spent many years as the safety director at Kirtland Air Force Base, feel that canceling the classes and closing the department, which provided free information about safe driving, is going to be a disservice to area drivers.

De Rose and a second instructor each taught 30-40 classes per year, with the average class size being 35-40 people, the majority of them over 55 years old. Most, he says, took the class in order to get discounts on their insurance premiums, either personal or corporate, while others were referred by the court system. All, De Rose points out, left the class as safer drivers.

De Rose, and others like him, are especially concerned that older drivers won't bother with online courses, and also feels that the give-and-take of a live classroom is better at instilling knowledge and safe driving techniques.

Ms. Chavez points out, however, that the New Mexico Department of Transportation Traffic Safety Bureau website "… lists the current approved options for seniors to take a defensive driving course."