NATCHEZ &8212; In the time it takes to drop a pencil you could crash your car.

That was one of the lessons 28 senior citizens learned Monday at the AARP Driver Safety Program.

Local instructors gave the group a cue to drop their pencils, but their reaction times to the cue were all different &8212; evidenced by the sound of the pencils hitting the table.

&8220;Our reaction time slows down considerably as we age,&8221; volunteer instructor Sidney McCaleb said. &8220;This is why we have to be much more careful about changing what we do on the highway.&8221;

Being more careful means constantly scanning the road for problems, leaving a large following distance between vehicles and using caution in intersections, McCaleb told the group.

Senior citizens also need to pay close attention to changes in their hearing so they&8217;ll be able to hear warning sirens or horns on the roadways, the instructors said.

The AARP handbook advised the group to drive with the windows partially open to hear traffic. They should also avoid listening to monotone music or talking on the radio, and stick with lively, upbeat sounds that will keep them attentive, the instructors said.

The driver&8217;s safety course continues today at Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Natchez. Drivers over 50 who take the eight-hour driver refresher course qualify for an insurance discount.

The course offers lessons on current rules of the road, vehicle operation and advice on adjusting to age-related changes in vision, hearing and reaction time.

AARP membership is not required to take the course. The class is typically taught in two four-hour sessions for a $10 fee.

To find information on the next driver&8217;s course in the area visit the AARP Web site at

http://www.aarp.org/families/driver_safety.