New mobility video aims to help older driver safety

A new video, launched this week by Driving Mobility, aims to help older drivers stay safe at the wheel for as long as possible.

The launch follows Monday’s presentation and safety recommendations to the House of Commons by the Older Drivers Task Force. 

The new video, produced with funding from the GEM Motoring Assist Road Safety Charity, follows a senior driver through the initial consultation and pre-drive assessment and out onto the road, where he drives a pre-arranged route covering various road types. It also sets out the ways in which the Driving Mobility centres across the UK can assess someone’s fitness to drive, as well as addressing any issues that might put someone at higher risk of a collision.

Ed Passant, chief executive of Driving Mobility, said the video gave a clear picture of what an older driver could expect from an assessment.

“Drivers will know exactly what to expect when visiting any of our 16 centres, and I believe the video ably demonstrates our primary purpose, which is to support people to stay driving safely for as long as possible.”

Identifying individual issues and needs is key to keeping an older motorist safe, according to Sergeant Rob Heard of Hampshire Police, who established the award-winning Older Drivers Forum in 2013. It’s also vital that drivers – and their loved ones – are aware of the resources available to help them.

“This video is designed to provide useful information for drivers who need to attend an assessment at a driving mobility centre,” Rob Heard explains.  “At the same time it should help drivers put aside any worries they may have about the assessment and what will be expected of them.”