AARP Driver Safety Program Free to Veterans in November

Arizona’s half-million-plus veterans are being offered a chance to take free driver safety classes during November. AARP is waiving the entrance fees for all military personnel of all ages. You may also qualify for car insurance discounts once you complete the course.

Since 1979 the AARP driver safety program has helped more than 13 million drivers learn safety strategies and adapt to physical and cognitive changes related to aging.

For more information and class registration call 1-888-AARP-NOW.

Two Globe Abandoned Mines to be Closed

Abandoned Mine Safety, Inc. announces that two abandoned mines at Round Mountain Park in Globe will be permanently closed on August 24. The mines will be closed using a combination of blasting and backfilling.

Abandoned Mine Safety is a non-profit organization dedicated to the closing and securing of abandoned mines in Arizona. They also provide abandoned mine safety education programs.

Students at Copper Rim Elementary School will receive the abandoned mine safety education on September 7.

Arizona Receives $12 Million for Emergency Preparedness

Governor Jan Brewer has announced that a multimillion dollar federal grant will help ensure the safety of Arizona citizens in the event of a public health emergency.

A Prevention Health Emergency Preparedness Grant of nearly $12 million has been issued through the Centers for Disease Control. The funding will flow through the Arizona Department of Health Services. 83% will be passed to local governments and tribes for training and supplies.

Brewer says Arizona is already well prepared for a public health emergenecy but this funding will add an additional layer of protection to ensure a rapid response.

'Summer Safety Splash'

Gila County Injury Prevention’s Summer Safety Splash takes place tomorrow (Saturday) from 5 to 8:pm at Globe Community Center.

There’ll be food, demonstrations, safety tips, giveaways, and family fun with free swimming from 6 to 8:pm.

AAA Says Teens Lack Complete Training

This is National Teen Driver Safety Week. A AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety study says that teenagers do not get enough diverse driving experiences before they get their licenses. The study looked at the behaviors and outlooks of families as they taught their pre-licensed teens how to drive.

Nearly half of the parents in the study say that after the year-long supervised permit stage there was at least one condition in which they did not feel comfortable letting their teen drive. However, more than a third of these families allowed their teen to obtain a license within a month of becoming eligible.

AAA has launched a new teen driver safety website. Go to TeenDriving.AAA.com.