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20th Century Insurance Co Offers Senior Driver Education Aids

30 October 1998

20th Century Insurance Company Offers Senior Driver Education Aids

    LOS ANGELES, Oct. 29 -- Complimentary copies of "A Driving
Need," an educational video and resource guide for senior drivers and those
who care about them, are being offered to senior centers, libraries and other
community organizations in California for use in safe-senior-driving programs.
    The offer is being made by Los Angeles-based 20th Century Insurance
Company, which funded production of the program by the Los Angeles public
television station KCET/Hollywood as part of an aggressive educational effort
to encourage mature drivers to evaluate and sharpen their driving skills.
By the year 2000, 80 million Americans will be over 50 years of age and
drivers aged 55 and older will constitute 28 percent of the driving population
-- climbing to 39 percent by the year 2050.  Over the past 25 years, the
number of drivers age 70 and older grew three times as fast as the total
driver population.  Drivers over 65 account for more accidents per mile driven
than any other group except teenagers.
    "A Driving Need," hosted by Nick Clooney, includes check-lists, tips and
suggestions for improving driving skills and awareness, based on research and
contributions from a blue-ribbon advisory committee of authorities in the
field of gerontology and presented in a lively, upbeat fashion.  The program
is designed to encourage older drivers and their families to evaluate and
discuss how aging can affect driving, including changes in vision, hearing,
reflexes and decision-making skills.
    William L. Mellick, 20th Century president and chief executive officer,
said:  "It is our hope that by making 'A Driving Need' available to
organizations that serve our senior citizen population and their families, we
can have a direct impact on preserving both the independence and safety of
older drivers."
    The television documentary has aired on KCET and other public television
stations around the country.  It was selected for screening at the 44th annual
meeting of the American Society on Aging and was recently honored with three
Mature Media Awards for the video, the resource guide and the website at
http://www.kcet.org/drivingneed.
    To request a complimentary VHS video copy and 20 copies of the "A Driving
Need" companion booklet for a senior citizen club, center or library, write
to:  Joyce Prager, Community Affairs Manager, 20th Century Insurance Company,
6301 Owensmouth Ave., Woodland Hills, CA 91367.  According to Prager, requests
must be on the letterhead of the organization or library, together with a
statement that the materials will be utilized only in small-group
presentations (typically, 50 people or less) and which are free of charge to
those attending.
    Individuals interested in obtaining "A Driving Need" may purchase copies
from KCET VideoFinders at 800-343-4727.