Safer Roads Humber offering mature driving sessions
He added: "Eyesight deteriorates from the age of 40 and it happens gradually, so sometimes it's hard to notice."People in their 50s might come because they have ageing relatives who are still driving and we want people to think about and plan for the time when they might give up their car."
Bill Hawksworth, 74, a retired market researcher who attended one of the sessions in Scunthorpe, admitted being older had changed the way he drives.He said: "I'm quite confident but I'm slower and I'm watching people all the time. I can get tired and I have to watch that and have more breaks."I like people to see 'this guy's old, I'm watching him'. You could have a badge on the back of the car. People might not like it, but at least they would know."Figures from Department for Transport (DfT) show that in 2023, about a quarter of all car drivers killed were aged over 70.And 11% of all casualties were in collisions involving older drivers.However, younger people aged 17 to 24 are still more likely to have a crash.DfT figures also show that in 2023, a fifth of all killed or seriously injured were from collisions involving a young driver.
The Safer Roads Humber is planning another session later this year in North East Lincolnshire.As well as discussions, people can also try on a set of glasses that mimic different eye conditions to see how their eyesight is affected.Rosie Cook, 72, tried on glasses that gave her a view of tunnel vision and cataracts."It's really weird," she said."My sisters had their cataracts removed. To think they were seeing this, it's like circles of hazy vision. You can hear people, but you can't see what's going on."I still tow a caravan and drive thousands of miles. I think I'm less confident in cities."The course today has given me a big boost, and I feel I shall probably be more observant. I think everyone over 50 should come."
Assessments
Mature drivers can also book assessments to see how they are coping. Charities such as RDAC offer mobility assessments and the Institute for Advanced Motorists also have groups locally.Terry Heath, chairman of the Scunthorpe and Grimsby Advanced Motorists, said people can have taster sessions."We watch their driving and their observation and offer them tips to improve," he said."If you're unsure about your own abilities, have a ride out with us. And we will give you an assessment of whether you'd make an advanced driver or not."
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