A new law in Michigan allows automobile insurers to offer a premium discount to drivers 50 and older – if they complete a driver safety course. Rep. Mike Nofs, the state house member who sponsored the bill, said the legislation provides two benefits. The first is that it helps to heighten the safety skills of the drivers on the road. The second benefit allows those who take the initiative to keep their driving skills up-to-date to receive discounts on auto insurance.

The discount could be provided for three years after the completion of an initial or refresher “traffic accident prevention driver safety course.” The driver safety course will have at least eight hours of classroom instruction taught by someone certified by the entity offering the course. A refresher course has at least four hours of instruction.

The curriculum includes: effects of aging on driving; types of road signs; laws about proper use of a vehicle; crash avoidance and prevention; the effects of alcohol and drugs, including medications on older drivers; and interaction with different highway users, such as emergency vehicles, trucks, motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians. Ironically, it sounds a lot like the course offered to speeding violators in lieu of a big fine.

Representatives from AARP and other organizations that advocate for older people supported the bill and are expected to encourage drivers who qualify to take advantage of the new law. Generally, automobile insurance rates start rising once a person reaches 65.