A new Staying Safe workshop will help senior drivers refamiliarise themselves with traffic rules and safer driving practices as well as increase their knowledge about other transport options available to help them stay mobile for as long as possible.
A driver licence is an important symbol of independence and many older New Zealanders rely on their car to get around – for shopping, appointments or visiting friends and family.
While older drivers don't have as many crashes, they and older passengers, if involved in a crash, are more at risk of being seriously injured or killed. This is due to increasing physical fragility.
It is important for all drivers, regardless of age, to regularly and honestly assess their own driving capabilities to keep themselves and others safe. It’s important to remember that the ageing process can affect a range of skills essential to driving – including eyesight, memory, decision-making and reaction times.