As part of a nationwide effort to offer reduced auto insurance premiums to mature drivers, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce are conducting a driver education course.

&uot;The AARP '55 Alive' course is the nation's first and largest classroom driver improvement course designed especially for motorists age 50 and older,&uot; said Carol Lee, president of the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce. &uot;The eight-hour course is taught in two four-hour sessions over two days, and students are charged a nominal fee. There are no tests.&uot;

AARP's course covers the normal changes in vision, hearing and reaction time associated with aging and provides practical techniques to compensate for these changes, according to the literature available about the course.

Participants also receive a thorough review of the &uot;rules of the road,&uot; with an emphasis on defensive driving practices.

The informative, easy-to-read course workbook is based on data collected from federal and state agencies, universities, and traffic safety organizations.

Alabama's top three insurance companies are preparing to offer a discount of five-percent off insurance premiums for drivers over the age of 55 who voluntarily complete an eight-hour safety course.

Also, effective Dec. 1, an Alabama law will go into effect which will require insurance companies to give discounts to drivers over the age of 55 who complete a state-approved accident-prevention course.

&uot;The course will be conducted at the Greenville Fire Department, on Oct. 3 and 4, beginning at 10 a.m.,&uot; said Lee. &uot;Participants must take part in both days to complete the course.&uot;

Lee said while the Chamber and AARP are sponsoring the course, area &uot;helping&uot; sponsors are also participating.

&uot;Helping sponsors from this area include ALFA, State Farm, Parker Waller Agency, Norman Insurance, Burkett Insurance and Cotton States,&uot; she said. &uot;Anyone wishing to find out more information may call us at 334-382-3251.&uot;