Advice on offer in bid to keep elderly drivers on road safely

Police, firefighters, council highways officers, and other agencies are teaming up to offer mature motorists free advice on the risks they may be running.

A drive was launched last year to offer all licence holders over 50 a refresher drive, a mini eye check and a free DVD at a series of road shows organised by North Yorkshire County Council.

Since then some 1,650 older drivers have benefited. Three further road shows are being held in January, at Helmsley Methodist Church Hall, Ashdale Road, on Saturday; Easingwold Galtres Centre, Market Square, on January 15; and Leyburn Methodist Church Hall, Railway Street, on January 29.

Coun Gareth Dadd, Executive member for Road Safety, said:" "Older drivers have a wealth of experience but may be a little bit rusty and by taking care and adjusting driving habits to compensate for any deterioration in eyesight, judgment and reactions, it's possible to continue driving safely and confidently for years to come."

The dangers of elderly motorists not paying attention to their driving abilities was underlined nine years ago when two-year-old Megan Raybould was killed in an accident involving a 79-year-old driver in Scarborough.

An inquest heard a stroke victim's car shot across another car's path as if it had been "launched from a rocket" and demolished a road sign in Falconer's Road, Scarborough.

Megan, of Ryndle Walk, Scarborough, died from massive head injuries caused by the falling sign as she walked hand-in-hand with grandparents John and Margaret Pearson.

It followed a double tragedy on the North York Moors when a couple were killed in a head-on crash with a people carrier being driven by a 79-year-old US lawyer with only two days' driving experience on British roads.

An inquest heard he was driving a party of American tourists across the moors in search of Hadrian's Wall but got lost and crashed into the couple's car near Whitby.

The roadshows run from 9.30am to 1.30pm. There is no need to book but you should allow time for the presentations.