Cornwall Council scheme launched to help older drivers stay safe
Older drivers who fear their driving skills might be getting a bit rusty can now be assessed by instructors to put their minds at rest.
The new "RoadFit" scheme was launched this week by Cornwall Council.
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The launch of RoadFit by Cornwall Council's road safety team is part of a 'Driving Safer for Longer' initiative
It is all part of the authority's wider "Driving Safer for Longer" initiative designed to cut the number of deaths on the county's roads and serious injuries.
Data released by the council showed that between 2007 and 2011 some 124 people over the age of 65 were killed or seriously injured on Cornwall's roads.
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Furthermore, the top two most common causes for crashes, involving drivers of all ages, was failing to look properly, and not correctly judging another motorist's speed or path.
Launched at County Hall in Truro, the new scheme allows GPs in the county to refer older patients who may be concerned about their driving ability to the council's Road Safety team for an assessment drive.
The assessments will be conducted by qualified driving instructors in the patient's own car.
Drivers will motor along the roads and lanes they are familiar with and use often.
Afterwards, the instructor will write out a report – a copy of which will be handed both to the patient and to the GP.
Between them, patient and doctor will discuss what, if any, further action needs to be taken.
The instructors and doctors will be able to offer advice on how the patient continues to drive safely for as long as is feasible.
Possible advice might include information on adaptations to the patient's vehicle, or exercises to develop better strength and flexibility.
Chris Billing, the council's road safety officer, stressed older drivers were not at greater risk of being caught up in a crash.
He said the age factor means older drivers might not recover as well from injuries as a younger person.
He said: "While people over 65 are not markedly more at risk of being involved in a collision, they are generally more vulnerable to its consequences.
"They are not better or worse drivers than any other age group but are more likely to be seriously injured if they are involved in a crash."
3 Comments
by josdave
Monday, February 04 2013, 11:54AM
“cornishbabe I am a motorcyclist and have been for 60 years now and have lost count of the number of impatient drivers who have beeped me when i've been 5mph below the limit. The speed limit is just that a limit not a target.”
by cornishbabe70
Monday, February 04 2013, 9:25AM
“I think the driving age should be increased to 25 and 17 to 24 year olds should be made to take the CBT test for motorcycles,then they would understand how vunerable they are on the roads.the problem with over 65's is that they drive too slowly thus causing tailbacks and frustration amongst other drivers.This is dangerous as it causes other drivers to take risky overtaking manouvers.Older drivers should take vigourous health tests and learn to stick to the speed limit or get off the roads,simples.”
by josdave
Friday, February 01 2013, 6:57PM
“How about if, when they catch them they put these boy racers through a more rigorous test. This would help to keep everyone safer as they are more of a threat than the older drivers.”