With an objective of addressing dangerous driving among North Yorkshire’s soaring elderly population, a new drive has been launched by police.
For boosting safety on the country’s roads, the undertaking will refresh the driving skills of the county’s elderly motorists, as well as encourage vital health checks.
The move comes amid predictions that by 2015 the county’s population will hit over 607,000 – with 273,000 aged over 50 and 19,500 over 85 years.
“We recognise that the demographic of our society in North Yorkshire is aging, but we also recognise the importance to individual people in rural communities of staying mobile,” said North Yorkshire deputy chief constable and chairman of 95 Alive, Tim Madgwick.
“We have a patchy public transport network in North Yorkshire and don’t want elderly people to be isolated, but recognise it’s really important they drive appropriately and safely,” he added.
The inaugural Older Driver Roadshow in Northallerton next week, organized by the 95 Alive road safety group, will offer free eye sight checks, a brake reaction tester and a hazard perception test.
Besides, for allowing visitors the chance to refresh their knowledge and driving skills, as well as a number of display stands offering road safety information and advice , a presentation will be conducted.