PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Safety Program for Mature Drivers Offered By Circuit Court of Cook County

Released On 07/30/2002

Chicago, IL (7-30-02) - In an effort to address the needs of senior citizens as they get behind the wheel, the Circuit Court of Cook County today presented the Drive Wise, Stay Alive Mature Driver Program to a group of seniors in Wheeling.

Explaining the purpose of the Drive Wise, Stay Alive Mature Driver Program, Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans said, "Programs such as this help guarantee that senior citizens on the road have the latest information that will help them to continue to practice traffic safety. The judges of the Circuit Court want to ensure that seniors have an understanding of how medical conditions can affect their ability to be safe drivers and to inform them of other community resources at their disposal."

Judge Pamela Karahalios, Chairperson of the Third Municipal District's Circuit Court of Cook County Community Safety Initiative, said, "As the number of senior drivers on the roads increases, we need to provide them with safe driving information to meet their unique needs. The court invites senior citizen groups throughout Cook County to contact the Circuit Court of Cook County Community Safety Initiative to schedule participation in the program."

The Drive Wise, Stay Alive Mature Driver Program was presented by Robin Mazzuca, a registered nurse and injury prevention instructor, and included the TAKE CARE (Thoughtful Adults Keep Enlightened) Program. Created to address safety-related needs of mature adults, the TAKE CARE Program focuses on interaction of prescription and non-prescription medication, alcohol use and abuse, doctor/patient relationships, drinking and driving, seatbelt use, and pedestrian safety.

Sharon Bellhoff, MS, LPC, presented information about the Senior Advocate Program available at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital. The Senior Advocate Program assists seniors in creating customized wellness programs, and provides information about available community services. Through this program, seniors have access to financial counseling to assist them with Medicare and to numerous educational seminars and health fairs.

More than 75 seniors attended the presentation at the Wheeling Township Offices, 1616 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. The event was co-sponsored by Wheeling Township.

The Drive Wise, Stay Alive Mature Driver Program 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 on the Drive Wise, Stay Alive Mature Driver Program, senior groups may call the Circuit Court of Cook County's Chicago Traffic Center at 312-603-2600.