Yarlington bids to improve safer driving among older drivers

WITH more than 30 million cars on Britain’s roads, it can feel like there is no longer room to get around, and the need to be fit to drive has never been more important than it is in today’s hectic lifestyle.

The change in one’s driving ability can come about very gradually, and the loss of alertness or eyesight is sometimes barely perceptible, but can lead to danger to both the driver and other road users.

In recognition of the need for older drivers to be sure they are able to continue their driving career safely, a local housing association has teamed up with specialists to give advice to them at a free session held in Yeovil.

Yarlington Housing Group hosted a day of fun and interactive sessions put on by ‘Route Sixty’ – a Somerset Road Safety group committed to reducing the numbers of collisions and casualties on the county’s roads by promoting safer driving through education and road safety campaigns.

The event, held at Yarlington’s offices in Yeovil featured presentations throughout the day, covering issues such as driving licenses, changes in the Highway Code, effects of medication, safer driving at night, and advice on vehicle improvements.

Somerset Road Safety, the Fire & Rescue Service, The Ambulance Service, Age Concern,  and the Police were all be on hand on the day to offer advice and information.

Interactive and information sessions included test driving a mobility scooter, home fire safety visits, mobility driving aids, a free first aid course, a free drivers eyesight test and crime prevention advice. 

Yarlington organiser Elizabeth Churchill said: “We were delighted with the amount of people that came along to our event. Clearly, safe driving is a very important issue for them, and we are pleased to be able to offer them this advice session to help make their driving a pleasure for as long as possible.''

“Having the opportunity to deliver road safety messages to such a large and attentive audience is a particularly good use of our time.'' added Richard Fairhurst from Somerset Road Safety.

''The Yarlington group was really keen to engage in conversations about a wide range of driving concerns from the increased volumes of traffic on today’s roads, to the effects of medications. Many took the opportunity to test their driving and observation skills on the driving simulator and we hope that the time they spent with us will help them drive safely for longer.''

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