"It's not my favorite thing to do anymore," she said, "but I still want to do it."

At 78, Derezinski knows her eyesight isn't what it used to be and she has adapted her driving so she tries not to drive at night, doesn't travel on highways and keeps to roads she's familiar with.
 

She's one of many senior citizens that might be affected by pending legislation making its way through the state Assembly that would put new requirements on drivers 75 and older.

The bill would make people ages 75 to 85 take vision tests every three years to keep their license. Those 85 and older would need to take an eye test every two years and pass a written test to renew their license.

To refresh senior citizens on rules of the road and any limitations they might face when driving, the Lincoln Center regularly hosts a drivers safety course.

While many senior citizens took a drivers test when they first got their license, course instructor Wayne Schroeder said others began driving before formal behind-the-wheel and written tests were required to get a license.

"Many of these people - never in their life - have taken a written drivers exam," he said.

The eight-hour AARP sponsored course is designed to help older drivers adjust to changes in their reaction time, perception, rules of the road and local driving problems.

"We stress how to deal with some of those changes as we get older," Schroeder said.

The class uses discussion, videos, a workbook and self-tests to make seniors aware of driving challenges.

The Lincoln Center also offers Roadwise Review, a computer program that measures factors that affect driving, including general mobility, flexibility and visual acuity.

Though the courses are designed to keep seniors driving safely, Schroeder said at some point, people have to make the difficult decision of hanging their keys up for good.

Derezinski intends to keep driving as long as she can, but knows that someday physical ailments might prevent her from driving and she'd give up her drivers license then.