With costs rising, one way seniors can save money is to reduce auto insurance costs by taking the AARP Safe Driving Class.

 Organizers have scheduled a class Thursday and Friday, July 17-18, in Reedsport.

It will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Covenant United Methodist Church, 3520 Frontage Road, Reedsport.

There is a $10 fee for class materials. For information or to register, call 888-7415.

AARP began offering Safe Driving classes in 1979, when it was discovered that people older than 55 were experiencing more crashes per mile than drivers age 25 to 54.  The cause was found to be certain age-related problems, such as loss of hearing, sight and medical problems. The Safe Driving class focuses on these and other age related problems and helps seniors become aware of them.

All insurance companies doing business in Oregon must offer a discount to people older than 55 who complete the class. The discount is given in addition to all other discounts received by a policy holder. People younger than 55 also can take the class but will not receive a discount from their insurance companies.