Older people are over-represented in car crash statisitcs.
New Zealand Transport Agency has just released updated resources to help older drivers. The Staying Safe resource is available online.
Tauranga Age Concern runs a driver refresher course for drivers over 60 years and it will use the updated material in its courses.
Chief executive
Michael Tyrer said the organisation runs the courses "when they get numbers" because it is not-for-profit and needs to be careful with any expenditure.
Automobile Association general manager motoring affairs Mike Noon says, "Older people are generally good at moderating their driving to their ability, but it remains a fact that as we age our sight deteriorates and our reaction time slows.
"We also become more frail, so the impact of a crash is usually worse.
"When you take into account the lower kilometres driven by older people, age 75 onwards have a higher risk of being involved in a crash than 25-29-year-olds," he said.
The Safe Driving Refresher Course is all theory - it uses questions/answers and discussion groups to ensure the participants are part of the learning process and covers a wide range of topics.
Age Concern has recently taken on the role of co-ordination for another programme - CarFit - it involves a 12-point checklist to ensure the driver fits with his/her car. There is no test, it is not a warrant of fitness and there is no cost.
CarFit will be run by Age Concern trained technicians in conjunction with Tauranga and Western Bay Safety Co-ordinator Lynette Hines.
It looks at the driver and car, checks seats are correctly positioned, mirrors aligned, seat belts fitted and goes over other safety aspects of the car and driver.
Age Concern said no date has been set for the first CarFit check-up and would encourage people wanting to register to phone with their details.
Phone 07 578 2631 or email mgr.ageconcerntga@xtra.co.nz to register for Staying Safe and/or CarFit.
