Total awareness at the wheel can be literally a matter of life and death for senior roadies. Additionally, in this day of smartphones, tweeters, twitters and other devices, staying alert gets tougher. Now being at the wheel has more dangers to add to the traditional distractions.

The reality of driving, whether to the local store or across the country, is that safety is a never-ending responsibility. It’s critical for senior drivers who travel long distances and spend many hours behind the wheel. Some suggestions for safe driving include: 

1. Before you go, be sure your car is in excellent condition, including engine, electrical system, brakes and tires. Faulty heating units can cause drowsiness. The interior should be clean and secure from anything that could distract the driver or be propelled around on sudden stops.

Senior travel reporter RRE, Little Rock AK: No matter where you are and what you're doing in most air terminals, you can assume at least one camera is watching you. On a recent arrival to check in for a flight out of Las Vegas, we stopped just inside the terminal to get our bearings.

We noticed a stack of four suitcases just a few feet away. At that instant, two burly airport cops and a huge German Shepherd dog came rushing over. They swooped up the nearby unattended bags and were gone up the nearby escalator before we could say or do anything.

Some of the most enjoyable, economical and safest all-inclusive vacation sources for senior singles involve cruising. Many passenger ships, usually chock full of seniors, have great programs for single seniors. Gatherings at meals, social events, exercise programs, entertainment, shore excursions and other activities are natural magnets for singles to greet, meet and mingle.

Although one possible feature may not be for every single senior woman, some cruises provide male ship employees who serve as escorts at dances, excursions and other events. The 1997 comedy movie by great actor pals, the late Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, "Out To Sea", gives a hilarious version of the shipboard male escort service.

Was that Al Capone who just served our soup? The waitress looks like Bonnie, and busboy’s name may be Clyde. When you’re wandering in the City by the Bay, consider stopping for a bite at Cala. It’s an upscale, Mexican-style seafood restaurant that also functions as a rehab project for many of the city’s former jail inmates. They train and serve as kitchen help, waiters and cleaning staff. The project’s goal is to qualify them to apply for jobs in the food industry.

Dinner prices start at about $40 per person. Cala is located at 149 Fell St., near the city’s Civic Center and UN Plaza. calarestaurant.com