Title: Road Safety Sessions in Lincolnshire Aim to Educate Mature Drivers
Road safety initiatives are being conducted throughout Northern Lincolnshire, with the goal of enlightening older motorists about the potential hazards of ageing while driving. Safer Roads Humber advocates for drivers aged 50 and over to take part in these sessions, in response to the government’s call for licence renewals at age 70. The sessions address factors such as the impact of medication, changes in eyesight, and mobility issues in continuing to drive safely. Humberside fire officer Mark Coulthard stressed the importance of acknowledging gradual deterioration in eyesight, a process that often starts from the age of 40.
The sessions, which have been conducted in places like the Ashby Community Hub in Scunthorpe, have been attended by locals including Bill Hawksworth, 74. Hawksworth acknowledged alterations in his driving habits due to ageing: “I’m rather confident but slightly more cautious nowadays,” he expressed, emphasizing the necessity for more frequent breaks on longer trips.
According to the Department for Transport’s reports, approximately one quarter of all car drivers who lost their lives in 2023 were aged over 70. Conversely, drivers aged 17 to 24 still remain more susceptible to accidents. Safer Roads Humber intends to hold further sessions in North East Lincolnshire, proposing unique opportunities such as experiencing glasses which replicate various eye disorders.
Rosie Cook, aged 72, who attended a session and tried on the aforementioned glasses, simulating tunnel vision and cataracts, commented on the difficulty of seeing under these conditions, despite her sustained confidence in long-distance driving.
Community organisations, such as RDAC, provide mobility evaluations, and the Scunthorpe and Grimsby Advanced Motorists group offer driving assessments to assist older drivers in maintaining their driving skills. Terry Heath, the leader of the group, urges individuals unsure about their driving capabilities to undergo a trial session for constructive feedback.
This article was revised by The Lincoln Post based on original reporting by www.bbc.com.
