First Older, Safer, Longer event offers guidance to drivers over 50

A UNIQUE event put the brakes on worries and has set older people on the road to a safer future behind the wheel.

The Older, Safer, Longer day at Cleethorpes Memorial Hall was the first of its kind held by Humberside Police in partnership with Safer Roads Humber.

NICE AND STEADY: Reporter James Dunn takes to the wheel watched by, from left, Kathleen Moore, Stephen Dent and Colin Barnett from RDAC at the Older, Safer, Longer event for the over 50s run by Humberside Police and partners at Cleethorpes Memorial Hall. Picture: Jon Corken
ADVICE: Road safety education officer for Balfour Beatty living place Doug Wright, and casualty reduction officer for Humberside Police PC Barry Gardner.
STAY OBSERVANT: Humberside Police casualty reduction officer in Hull, PC Keith Ward, gives advice to Trevor Smith.

It saw various organisations come together to offer drivers over 50 advice, ranging from alternatives to driving to computerised simulators to test reaction times and hazard perception.

PC Barry Gardner, one of three of Humberside Police's casualty reduction officers present on the day, said it seemed to be "of great benefit" to those who attended.

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"We worried that people would think we are trying to take their driving licences away, which couldn't be further from the truth," he said.

"It's been about offering the right advice to keep people safe on the roads and I hope it has helped those who attended."

Ruth Gore, of Safer Roads Humber, said: "We don't often hold events for older people as they are not a group known for causing accidents on the road.

"However, when they do, they often come off quite badly because of their age.

"With an ageing population, keeping these people safe is something that we have to think about more. Today's event has shown how receptive older people are to advice and I hope this event will be the first of many."