Gasoline prices

The average price of a gallon of unleaded regular gasoline in central Ohio:

I own a 2013 Honda Civic EX with 16,000 miles, which I really like. But I’m wondering, since I turned 81 this year, if I should think about upgrading to the newer safety features, such as anti- collision, blind- spot sensor, etc. Since I turned 81, I’ve been thinking that maybe I should have all the help I can get, but I know the Civic probably would be fine until I’m ready to hang up my keys (or the kids take them away). I have been studying a lot of different rating sources and like the features of the Subaru Impreza hatchback, which is in my price range and would hold my waterskis and kayak. My two questions are: (1) Is it a good idea to make this change? and (2) Is there anything else I should consider? I really don’t want an SUV. Thanks! — Shirley

Anything else you should consider? How about a chauffeur?

You absolutely should make this change, Shirley. Let’s face it: Our reflexes — along with our eyesight, our hearing and our tolerance for certain relatives at Thanksgiving — decline as we get older. What could be better than getting a car with some reflexes of its own to make up for our deficiencies?

Normally, what happens to older drivers is that they drive until there’s “an incident.” You don’t notice something; someone cuts you off, and you