New course for Older Drivers in Lincolnshire

There has been an increase in road accidents involving older drivers, sparking a need for a new initiative for retraining in modern car technology. In 2005, the number of those over 65s seriously injured or killed was 39: this figure increased to 79 in 2010, showing that some drivers in this age group may lack confidence with modern technology and therefore need to enhance their road awareness in order to be safe.

The new training courses comprise workshops which enable older drivers to try out a simulator and skid car.

Principal road safety coordinator Greville Burgess said: "Mature drivers often lack confidence, usually because they are unfamiliar with new technology such as ABS, traction control or even having so many gears.

Mr Burgess reported that one particular man was afraid to use the fifth and sixth gears on his new car because he thought if he did so it would make him travel too fast.

The good news is however that once older people had "a bit of training" and maintained a reasonable level of health there was no reason why they could not continue driving well into their 80s and 90s.

There are two workshops which are due to take place at the organisations's premises in North Kyme, near Sleaford on 24 February and 23 March, 2012.

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