New Coordinator Takes the Wheel

AARP South Dakota is pleased to announce Doris Ann Werlinger of Rapid City has been named the state coordinator for the AARP Driver Safety Program in South Dakota.

“We are thrilled to have Ms. Werlinger serve as the state coordinator for the AARP Driver Safety Program,” said Sarah Jennings, state director for AARP South Dakota. “She gives tirelessly of her time for the benefit of others and her community, and we appreciate her contribution to this important program.”

For 30 years, the AARP Driver Safety Program has provided instruction to more than 12 million participants nationwide seek to refresh their driving skills. In South Dakota the no-test course is offered in more than a dozen communities to several hundred drivers each year.

The AARP Driver Safety Program course updates drivers’ knowledge about relevant laws and offers strategies to compensate for age-related changes that affect driving ability. The course also includes a section on assessing driving abilities, and tips for having a “family conversation” about driving to help ensure a loved one stays safe on the road.

Depending on insurance providers and state regulations, graduates of the AARP Driver Safety Program courses may be eligible to receive a discount on their auto insurance premiums. All participants should check with their carrier for verification.

Werlinger is a long-time volunteer for AARP South Dakota and was recipient of the 2004 Andrus Award for Outstanding Community Service. In addition to serving as the volunteer Driver Safety Program state coordinator, she will continue to serve as the volunteer coordinator for the AARP Information Center located in Rapid City’s Rushmore Mall. In addition to her involvement with AARP, Werlinger has been involved in numerous community organizations including the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce, and is a past-president of the state American Legion Auxiliary.

You can help make a difference in your community by becoming a Driver Safety Program instructor. When you help someone continue to drive, you help the community, your neighbors and yourself. Email us at sdaapr@aarp.org to learn how.

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