I'm Here to Help...

Older drivers go back to basics

Older drivers took advantage of a crash-prevention program yesterday in South Weymouth, in collaboration with Commerce Insurance. Drivers 65 and older can take the course, offered by In Control Advanced Driver Training, for $75 through Aug. 14.

We've had a recent rash of incidents whereby elderly drivers have been involved in traffic accidents. Some were comical, as one gentleman turned a Wal-Mart into a drive-through. Others were tragic, resulting in the needless death of a young girl.

But never fear - there's a buck to be made here!

I'll make it even simpler:

This is the standard set-up for acceleration and deceleration in an automobile with an automatic transmission. We won't need to discuss standard transmission, as generally any senior still driving stick is most likely still capable of piloting without my assistance.

• The long, skinny pedal on the right is the accelerator, more commonly known as the gas. Press this pedal to go.

• The smaller pedal on the left is the brake. Press this pedal to stop.

There. That should significantly reduce the number of accidents, as the most oft-heard "excuse" when a senior rams into a building is that they confused the gas and the brake.

Skinny = go. Small = stop. It's just that simple.

That is all.

And yes, I fully realize I'm going to hell for this post...