Older western suburbs drivers are being offered a free and confidential check of their driving techniques and vehicle safety as part of a plan to keep them safe on the roads.
RoadSafe Westgate Older Drivers program co-ordinator Leigh Hardinge said senior drivers were often portrayed as being involved in a lot of car crashes.
“It’s also suggested that they are not just involved in crashes but cause them,” Mr Hardinge said. “The evidence tells us that senior drivers are much less likely to be involved in crashes than novice drivers.
“But the fact that senior drivers, in general, are relatively safe doesn’t mean they can’t improve.”
Mr Hardinge said there had been changes in road laws and it was the responsibility of senior drivers to ensure they were aware of them.
He also said older drivers needed to make sure they were personally in a good enough condition to drive.
“All drivers, regardless of age, must report to VicRoads any long-term or permanent health condition that may affect their fitness to drive,” he said.
“Failure to do so could have serious repercussions in the event of a crash.”
To help senior drivers stay on the road for longer, RoadSafe Westgate is running ‘senior drivers’ expos’.
The next expo is on Saturday, August 23, at the Altona Civic Centre. Bookings are essential. For details, call 9315 3464.
Victorian Community Road Safety Partnership Program has provided contribution funding to support RoadSafe Westgate in addressing local road safety issues in its municipalities.
