Senior drivers encouraged to ‘Drive On’
Senior drivers in Powys still have the opportunity to build their driving confidence further by taking part in a free assessment.
‘Drive On’ is a free assessment drive being offered by the council’s Road Safety Unit for people aged 55 and over or for those who need some support with building confidence in their driving, thanks to funding from the Welsh Government.
As part of the ‘Drive On’ assessment, participants can choose a Driving Instructor from a list supplied to them and telephone them to make a booking. They will meet the Instructor and drive for one hour – either in their car or the Instructors. During this confidential assessment, any safety issues will be discussed so that they can be improved upon.
Driving experience is extremely important and research shows some older drivers do avoid situations where they know they feel anxious – these may include night time driving, busy towns, fast roads and bad weather. But avoiding these all the time is not always possible, especially on rural roads.
The ‘Drive On’ assessment is one of the ways that senior drivers can improve their driving skills. It is not about taking your licence off you. The Instructor will encourage you to drive safely and in doing so, keeping you driving and mobile for longer.
The assessment drive can be tailored to meet the exact needs of the participant to increase their confidence. As part of the assessment, each participant will receive a free Highway Code for them to keep and read at their leisure.
For further information, contact the Road Safety Unit on 07909 895 346 (Montgomeryshire), 01597 826637 (Radnorshire) and 01874 612355 (Brecknockshire).