From a press release issued by Infineon Raceway, which we’re running because senior citizens can be a major hazard encountered by street riders, and because we’re in favor of anything that makes them better drivers:

Senior Citizens Learn Valuable Skills at AAA Senior Safety Challenge

SONOMA, Calif. (IMMEDIATE RELEASE) – Seventy senior citizens from around Northern California were treated Tuesday to a half-day course at Infineon Raceway designed to help assess their driving skills, as well as provide valuable tools when driving on the roadways.

The raceway hosted the first AAA Senior Safety Challenge, which attracted seniors from Pleasanton, Novato, Sonoma, Alameda, Napa, Santa Rosa, Fairfield, Sacramento, and other areas. The seniors received free hands-on training from instructors from the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School, AAA traffic safety experts and occupational therapists from the Bay Area and Southern California.

People over 65 are the fastest-growing segment of the population in the United States, and by 2020, there will be more than 40 million licensed drivers age 65 and older. That being said, senior crash fatality rates have climbed while overall fatality rates for all ages combined have remained stable since 1991. It made the AAA-sponsored program on Tuesday a great vehicle for seniors.

Instructors worked with the seniors at three different driving stations: backing up, accident avoidance and lane change. Occupational therapists, meanwhile, assessed flexibility and also provided seniors with tools they could use when behind the wheel.

“The people did well today and we’re hoping we gave them some tools that will help them become even safer drivers,” said Steve Molinari, an occupational therapist from John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek. “They seemed pretty in touch with their skills.”

The seniors, who ranged in age from 65-87 years old, were pleased with the program.

“I thought this was very beneficial,” said Gretchen Berendt, an 83-year-old from Pleasanton. “They impressed upon us that we, as seniors, need to be very alert to what’s going on around us. We also need to drive defensively, but not be afraid.”

Added Napa’s Ann Fink, 71: “I learned my reactions are slower than I thought they were. This day taught me quite a bit.”

AAA, which partnered with Infineon Raceway and the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School on the program, was pleased with the results.

“The day was rewarding for everyone. I hope we were able to share some great information with the seniors and give them some solutions that they can use when they get behind the wheel,” said Merry Banks, manager of community and safety services at AAA.