subject: Driving As You Get Older [print this page] Often people are in a hurry to start driving but few are ready to finish driving. Often it is the question of whether older drivers are roadworthy or not that causes them to stop.
Often people think they are good drivers. It's rare to hear anybody admit that they are less than sufficient behind the wheel.
A new scheme called SAGE- Safety Driving With Age has been introduced by Leicestershire County Council recently. The scheme is run for drivers who are sixty years old and over and offers them an opportunity to have their driving skills assessed by a selection of driving instructors after a drive lasting around one hour.
The assessment does not in any way endanger your driving licence, it just allows you to get an in-depth understanding of where your strong and weak points lie. There are lots of updates and changes being made to the road system all the time so revising the Highway Code before your drive is sensible.
The actual driving assessment is meant to be a non threatening environment and the instructor is free to talk to you throughout. You are not meant to feel under pressure at all.
On your return from the drive the assessor will supply you with a few pointers and discuss how you could improve your driving in general.
Most people embarking on the course are in their sixties or seventies, it can be a great way to boost driving confidence- particularly if you hear good comments from the assessor.
Only a few people will discover that they need a bit more help with their driving, guidance and further training is then provided by your instructor.
The new scheme hopes to encourage people to identify their strengths and weaknesses and therefore reduce the number of accidents and motoring offences committed.
