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Older Driver Tragedy in California Could (Should!) Have Been Averted

National headline: “100-year-old driver hits 11 people near Los Angeles school”

Los Angeles, CA – Keeping Us Safe, a national organization headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, has developed a program specifically designed to prevent such tragedies. The program, titled “Beyond Driving with Dignity”, is a self-assessment program designed to help older drivers and their families make appropriate driving decisions in response to age-related diminishing driving skills.

Matt Gurwell, Founder and CEO of Keeping Us Safe states that “Although this tragedy could have been worse, it is important to note that it could also have been avoided.” Gurwell, a retired Ohio State Trooper, continues by explaining “Our self-assessment program for older drivers is designed to save lives.”

The 3-hour sessions include an in-depth interview with the older driver, input from concerned family members, several cognitively- based screening tools, a review of one’s medical history and an actual driving exercise. The sessions are conducted by Certified “Beyond Driving with Dignity” Professionals currently deployed throughout the United States and Canada.

Gurwell adds that “The “Beyond Driving with Dignity” Professional Certification program" was developed to arm qualifying professionals with the tools necessary to help older drivers and their families work through the complicated issue of age-related diminishing driving skills.”

In addition, Keeping Us Safe offers the nationally-recognized “Beyond Driving with Dignity; The workbook for the families of older drivers”. The workbook was designed to help concerned families by providing them with a “roadmap to success” in their quest to overcome the challenges of an older driver’s diminished driving skills. Gurwell explains that “Both the self-assessment program and the workbook are designed to keep our highways and communities safer places to live, work and recreate. The Beyond Driving with Dignity programs are also designed to help the older driver maintain their independence and dignity as they transition into a driving retirement.”

When asked what the turning point was for starting Keeping Us Safe, Gurwell explains:

"There was never one particular event. It was the result of 20-plus years of holding dying people in my arms at terrible car accidents, and delivering dozens and dozens of death notifications to families. I would much rather work with families bringing a peaceful resolve to this sensitive and uncomfortable issue now, rather than have them deal with it when a State Trooper is knocking on their front door".

To learn more about the program, visit Keeping Us Safe at http://www.keepingussafe.org, or telephone 877-907-8841. Media inquiries are asked to call 216-904-8841.

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