PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New safety program for mature drivers offered by Circuit Court of Cook County

Released On 06/19/2001

Chicago, IL (June 19, 2001) – The Circuit Court of Cook County today presented the Drive Wise, Stay Alive Mature Driver Program to a group of seniors at the Skokie Senior Center Village Hall.

The Drive Wise, Stay Alive Mature Driver Program is a public education campaign to improve safe driving practices among senior drivers. In explaining the importance of the program, Cook County Chief Judge Donald P. O'Connell 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." He added, "Drivers of all ages who are better informed on safe driving issues are more likely to practice traffic safety."

Judge Mary K. Rochford, Chairperson of the Circuit Court of Cook County Second Municipal District's Community Safety Initiative, said, "We encourage senior groups throughout Cook County to contact the Circuit Court of Cook County Community Safety Initiative to schedule a presentation of this excellent program. We want to provide safe driving information to as many senior drivers as possible."

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.

More than 80 members of the Village of Skokie Senior Center, co-sponsors of the event, attended the presentation. The Center is located at 5127 Oakton Street, Skokie, Illinois.

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 citizen groups may call the Circuit Court of Cook County's Chicago Traffic Center at 312.603.2600.