The National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration, along with the American Medical Association, have created an updated version of “The Physician’s Guide to Assessing and Counseling Older Drivers.”

That’s us.

The purpose of the book is to help physicians evaluate our ability to continue driving.

The goal, of course, is to prevent injury and death. According to studies, those of us in the 65 to 74 age group have the highest rate of deaths caused by motor vehicle injury. In the group that’s age 75 and above, driving-accident deaths rank second, after falls.

The reason is because we’re more likely to have disease and medication issues than any other age group.

Doctors, they say, can help keep us safe on the road by doing periodic evaluations.

The Guide lists the steps doctors should follow, including evaluating medical conditions, drugs prescribed and the concern of the patient and family members. In fact, it might be those family members who first notice that we’re not driving the way we used to. One of the steps doctors can take is to refer us to a driver rehabilitation specialist.

If you want to be sure that your driving skills stay up to par, here are some suggestions:

• Check in with a driver rehabilitation specialist for a review of your skills.

• Get your eyes checked twice a year.

• Ask your doctor if any of your prescriptions could interfere with safe driving.

• Take a safe-driving class for seniors. Check the AARP Web site (www.aarp. org) self-paced online Driver Safety program, or call 1-888-227-7669 to find refresher classes in your area. Both cost less than $20 and can be very worthwhile.

• Stay physically fit. Look at Senior- Drivers.org for exercises that keep you flexible.

• Keep driving. Your skills behind the wheel will stay sharp if you drive as long as you safely can.

Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Write to her in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853- 6475, or send e-mail to columnreply@ gmail.com.

(c) 2010 King Features Synd., Inc.