PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Safety tips program for mature drivers offered by Circuit Court of Cook County

Released On 07/27/2001

Chicago, IL (July 27, 2001) – The Circuit Court of Cook County today presented the Drive Wise, Stay Alive Safety Tips for Mature Drivers program to a group of seniors at Triton College in River Grove.

The Drive Wise, Stay Alive Safety Tips for Mature Drivers program is a public education campaign sponsored by the Circuit Court of Cook County Community Safety Initiative to improve safe driving practices among senior drivers. Cook County Interim Chief Judge Henry A. Budzinski said, "We encourage senior groups throughout Cook County to contact the court to schedule a presentation of this excellent program. With ability determining safe driving, not age, drivers of all ages who are better informed on safe driving issues will be more likely to practice traffic safety."

Judge Thomas Tucker, Chairperson of the Circuit Court of Cook County Fourth Municipal District's Community Safety Initiative said, "The Circuit Court would like senior citizens to be aware that changes in their physical health may affect their ability to continue to drive safely. As the number of senior drivers increases, there is a growing need to provide safe driving information to meet their needs."

The Drive Wise, Stay Alive Safety Tips for Mature Drivers 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 abuse, doctor/patient relationships, drinking and driving, seatbelt use and pedestrian safety.

Also presenting the program was Kathy O'Day, a registered nurse and injury prevention coordinator at Loyola University Medical Center. O'Day's presentation was called Mature Driving and 55 Alive and focused on the advantages of seniors participating in driving refresher courses that link safe driving with a healthier lifestyle.

Nearly 200 seniors attended the presentation which was held twice on July 27, 2001, at Triton College, co-sponsors of the event.

The Drive Wise, Stay Alive Safety Tips for Mature Drivers 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 Safety Tips for Mature Drivers program, senior citizen groups may call the Circuit Court of Cook County's Chicago Traffic Center at 312.603.2600.