Age should not be a barrier to driving, but the longer we carry on driving, the more we should be aware of both our own personal safety and our responsibilities to other road users.
Cllr Martin Heatley, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment
Older drivers are being offered the chance to brush up on their driving skills and ensure they are still firing on all cylinders when climbing behind the wheel.
Warwickshire County Council’s Road Safety Unit has launched a new safety scheme aimed at the `older’ driver – Drive for Life.
And among the first to sign up for the new scheme was Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment, Cllr Martin Heatley.
He said: “The practical course was great, and certainly made me think about a few things. Thankfully the assessor was full of praise for my driving and says I should now be thinking of becoming an Advanced Driver.
“Age should not be a barrier to driving, but the longer we carry on driving, the more we should be aware of both our own personal safety and our responsibilities to other road users. Drive for Life is designed to give practical support and encourage drivers to make the right personal choice about their driving future.
“As we get older, our eyesight, hearing, mobility and judgement may not be as sharp as they once were, so greater care is needed everytime we go out in the car.”
To help drivers stay in the driving seat for longer, the Road Safety Unit has developed and produced a free handbook with useful advice and tips, all based on what `older’ drivers told the road safety team they wanted to know.
As well as the handbook, drivers are being offered in-car assessments, which can be structured to suit the needs of individual drivers.
Approved driving instructors are trained to assess clients in their own car and give suggestions as to how they might improve mobility, increase their confidence or resolve bad habits. The cost of the sessions is £52 for two hours.
The Drive for Life team also offer free daytime or evening presentations to Warwickshire groups or organisations wishing to know more about road safety, the `older’ driver and the Drive for Life campaign.
For information call 01926 418062.