A major long-term initiative is being launched on the Isle of Wight this month to enhance the skills of the many Island drivers aged over 60.
The Older Drivers’ Appraisal Scheme – to be run by the Island’s fire and rescue service – will provide an informal and confidential appraisal to help older drivers with their driving ability and how to best deal with a wide range of traffic situations.
The scheme will be launched at The Riverside Centre, Newport on Tuesday 16th May, between 14:00 and 17:00 – and anyone interested in finding out more is invited to attend.
Community safety delivery manager, Tracey Webb, said:
“This is a vitally important new scheme to contribute to road safety, and I would strongly encourage as many older drivers as possible to get involved.
“Many of our older motorists have been driving for a long time and have a wealth of experience and skills they have developed over the years. But as we get older, we are also all very much aware in ourselves that our driving awareness and reaction times can decline and our skills aren’t perhaps what they once were. This scheme is designed to help us with our driving as we get older and improve upon the skills we already have.”
Figures show that at January 2016 there were just over 4.5 million people in the UK holding a driving licence aged 70 and above – and this is expected to double in the next 20 years.
The number of incidents involving older drivers on the Island seems to be high, particular the more obscure road traffic collisions. However, statistics show that drivers aged 70 are no more likely to be the cause of a crash than any other drivers.
The aim of the scheme is to help people stay safe on the road for as long as possible. The appraisal takes place from the person’s home, using their own car, and will be delivered by specially selected and trained Driving Standards Agency-approved driving instructors, with a good understanding of experienced drivers.
It is not a test so there is no pass or fail element. The assessor looks at the way the driver deals with various traffic situations on roads that he or she normally drives on and makes recommendations to help ensure ongoing safety. The appraisal lasts around 70 minutes and costs £40.
To find out more about the scheme, you can either attend the launch event, or contact the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Community Safety Team on 01983 823399 or by emailing [email protected].
