Older people offered driving support

Date: 4/10/2010

Road safety officials in Hampshire have invited older drivers to attend an informal assessment day to help them update their motoring skills.

The Portsmouth News reports the Older Driver Appraisal Scheme is open to anyone aged 55 or over in the county.

Motorists can have their eyesight, hearing, reaction time and judgment of speed and distances measured.

Mel Kendal, Cabinet Member for Environment at Hampshire County Council, commented: "Our population of older people is growing and the more support we are able to offer to enable people to maintain their independence and keep themselves and others safe, the better."

The scheme was launched in response to an online poll conducted by the council, which revealed 70 per cent of respondents know an individual over the age of 55 who would benefit from improving their driving skills.

Recently, Head of Road Safety at the AA Andrew Howard stated the degenerative eyesight of older motorists poses a great risk to road safety.

Posted by Mary Treen