The police share this latest update. Ed
Older motorists in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are being invited to follow in the footsteps of TV broadcasters Jennie Bond and John Sergeant by attending any of the ‘one-stop shop’ awareness events organised by the Older Drivers Forum next week.
From Monday September 26 until Friday September 30, the Older Drivers Forum will be hosting events focusing on giving advice and information to mature motorists and their interested friends and family.
It is free to attend, no appointment is necessary and visitors can call in anytime between 9.30am and 3pm.
Stronger focus on those 70 and over
Sergeant Rob Heard, the chair of the forum says:
“The Older Drivers Forum is about keeping drivers aged 55 + on the road safely for longer, with a stronger focus on those 70 and over. We give advice not only for older drivers, but also for friends, families and GP’s. At the event you will find advice on brushing up your skills, booking a driving assessment, getting advice on health and wellbeing issues, renewing your licence and much more.
“We have had many visitors to our events over the years and all have found them extremely helpful on keeping them safe and mobile. In December last year we even featured on the BBC One Show and gave advice and support to Jenny Bond and John Sergeant on keeping safe on the roads.”
Drivers over 70 to double by 2036
As of January 2016 there are just over 4.5 million people holding a driving licence who are aged 70 and above and this will double in the next 20 years.
Drivers aged 70 are no more likely to be the cause of a crash than any other drivers. But once over 70, we may be more likely to be at fault, particularly where right-of-way violations are involved. We may also start to suffer from aged related frailty and our mental and physical abilities may reduce.
The work of the Forum has been internationally recognised and the Forum even assisted in the writing a National Strategy for Older Drivers for the government, titled ‘Supporting Safe Driving into Old Age’.
The Forum is made up of experts in road – from representatives from the emergency services, to charities, local authorities and businesses specialising in keeping older people on the road.
Where and when
Below are the dates and venues for this year’s awareness week:
Friday 30th September – Newport, Isle of Wight
St Thomas’s Square and Newport Minster
Newport
Isle of Wight
PO30 1SL
Monday 26th September – Andover
The Chantry Centre
Chantry Street
Andover
SP10 1RL
Tuesday 27th September – Hythe, Dibden Purlieu
St Andrews Centre
Beaulieu Road
Dibden Purlieu
SO45 4PT
Wednesday 28th September – Portsmouth
Cascades Shopping Centre
Portsmouth
PO1 4RL
Thursday 29th September – Southampton
Haskins Garden Centre
Mansbridge Road
West End
Southampton
SO18 3HW
Visit the Website for all the information and benefit from practical and informative advice, see advisory videos and find details on how to book a driving assessment or contact details for support groups and downloadable leaflets.
