By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
You might be the best driver on the road. But there are plenty of other drivers out there. That's why the Great Bend Recreation Commission is teaming up with the Barton County Sheriff's Office Monday and Tuesday evenings for a defensive driving course. Undersheriff Steve Billinger said the class is a good learning tool for drivers of all ages.
"You think this is a class geared for older people, but it's for all ages," he said. "We find even our senior citizens driving loved the class. Everyone loves learning about being a better driver. One of the things that surprises me the most is, people still, no matter what their experience is, they still want to be a better driver and want to learn new stuff about driving."
All the learning takes place in the classroom as Billinger discusses eight chapters over two evenings. Topics include impaired driving, the importance of vision health, road rage, and more.
"We cover the fundamentals, and it's kind of a reminder class for people to learn new stuff that they didn't know," Billinger said. "The importance of looking down the road, controlling your spaces around you, being prepared for emergencies."
In addition to learning about being a better driver, those who complete both nights of the course can apply for lower insurance premiums.
"By Kansas law, if you complete the defensive driving class, you do get a reduction in your premium," said Billinger. "It's dependant on the companies how they do it. Some companies take it off your comp/collision, or some of it is across the board. But once you complete it, you turn it in to your agent, and you get the defensive driving discount applied."
Oct. 20 is the last day to register for the class, which runs from 6-9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. Call the Great Bend Rec to enroll.