SALEM, Ore. — MaPS Credit Union and CU Wireless, a cell phone provider that specializes in low-cost cell phones for credit union members only, hosted a two-day safe driver course for members aged 55 and older.
MaPS began offering the safe driving courses through AARP years ago, but this is the first time they have paired the program with another safety-related offering targeting seniors.
The courses, which are offered nationwide, teach basic defensive driving techniques, but also relay valuable information about age-related cognitive and physical changes that affect driving, and how older drivers should adjust their driving in response to those changes.
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MaPS members over age 55 were able to attend all eight hours of the classes for free, and also received special information about the cell phone offer as well.
CU Wireless GM Chris Giles says that the pairing is the first of its kind in Oregon.
People normally associate cell phones with unsafe drivers. What they need to understand is that a cell phone can be an important part of a safe driver's arsenal as well," Giles said. "Over 200,000 emergency 911 calls are placed every day from cell phones; that's more than are placed from land lines. Lives are being saved literally every day because of alert drivers who have access to a phone."
CU Wireless is a CUSO whose emergency cell phone program is aimed specifically at the underserved niche of low-use cell phone customers. The program is designed to benefit both credit unions and their members by using the combined buying power of thousands of credit union members to secure bulk discounts from major wireless carriers.
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