TIME FOR SENIORS TO BRUSH UP ON DRIVING SKILLS WITH AARP.

Byline: BETTIE RENCORET SENIOR COLUMNIST

With the odds-on probability that winter weather and the holidays will soon contribute to many traffic collisions, it's doubly important for seniors to sharpen their driving skills.

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) has for many years been dedicated to helping seniors do that.

Under that organization's sponsorship, instructors regularly conduct ``Mature Driving Classes'' for the nominal fee of $10 per person to cover the cost of materials.

John Gregory, who teaches driving classes at Lancaster Community Hospital, said that even if a person has been through the class before, it's a good idea to take it again every three or four years.

``Awareness is the key. There have been so many changes over the last few years that parts of the class will seem like a whole new world. We, meaning all the instructors, not just me, try to bring you up to date on new legislation and the complexities of new roads and attitudes,'' he said. ``Things are a lot different than they were when we first learned to drive. Cars are different. People are different. We have seat belts now, and airbags, new speed laws and road rage. It takes a different type of knowledge to get behind the wheel these days.''

Gregory said it's important to sign up early because the classes fill up quickly.

Antelope Valley and Palmdale Senior Centers are also sites for the AARP courses. Palmdale's has just been completed and the AV Center's next course is scheduled for Nov. 27 and 28, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. The center is at 777 W. Jackman Ave.

Gregory's 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 16 class at Lancaster Community Hospital is the last one for the remainder of the year.

In Antelope Valley there are special driving issues to contend with, he said.

``Speed and running stop signs are major problems here,'' he said. ``Those seem to be worse here than in other areas.''

In Los Angeles County, the annual death rate from accidents is nine per 100,000 population, he said. In the Antelope Valley, it's 21.

``That should tell us all something,'' Gregory said.

Instructors also encourage seniors to think ahead, Gregory said.

``You know it's inevitable that sooner or later the time is going to come when we have to give up our driver's licenses. We can't let that be the end of life for us. All we need to do is be informed about other transportation options available to us when that time comes.''

To sign up and pre-pay the $10 registration fee for the Dec. l6 class, contact Gregory at [phone].

For information on the Lancaster classes call (66l) 726-4400. For Palmdale information call [phone].