PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Circuit Court Premiers Educational Video for Seniors

Released On 12/20/2002

Chicago, IL (12-20-02) – The Circuit Court of Cook County Community Safety Initiative, in conjunction with the Chicago Department on Aging, today premiered an educational video aimed at senior drivers called Keeping the Keys. More than 70 community leaders and senior representatives from the Chicago Department on Aging attended the premier at the Levy Center, 2019 West Lawrence Avenue in Chicago.

Cook County Circuit Court Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans said, "We are aware that as we age, driving becomes more challenging. The court is committed to raising public awareness on this issue to improve traffic safety for all citizens."

The video was developed to explain how the natural aging process affects eyesight, hearing, cognitive skills, and reflexes of senior drivers, which in turn effect their ability to drive safely. Keeping the Keys, aimed at drivers 55 or older, offers tips to help senior drivers stay on the road longer and safer. The video was written, directed, and produced by Circuit Court staff. Information on alternative transportation for seniors who decide it is time to limit or to stop driving is also presented.

Keeping the Keys will be incorporated into the court’s Drive Wise, Stay Alive Mature Driver Program that was developed to help bring the latest information to seniors to help them continue to practice traffic safety. The program is presented to senior citizen groups throughout Cook County. Presentations by medical professionals addressing safety-related needs of mature adults are a major part of the program.

Keeping the Keys is the fifth in a series of videos developed by the Circuit Court of Cook County Community Safety Initiative. Other videos include Deadly Decisions, developed for young drivers to examine the consequences of impaired and aggressive driving; the Polish language video, Cena Zycia, the Spanish language video, Que Precio Tiene La Vida? and Wasted, all of which present the legal ramifications of a DUI arrest.

The Circuit Court of Cook County Community Safety Initiative is funded by a grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Traffic Safety.

For more information, or to schedule participation in the Drive Wise, Stay Alive Mature Driver Program, senior citizen groups are encouraged to call the Circuit Court of Cook County’s Chicago Traffic Center at 312-603-4889.