Road safety workshops for older drivers
Published: 07 Apr 2021 11:23am
Wagga Wagga City Council will hold two On the Road 65+ workshops for older road users in April, as part of the FRESH 2021 program.
The workshops are for drivers over the age of 65 years and will focus on how aging affects their ability to stay safe on our roads, whether as a pedestrian, cyclist, motorist, or even when using a mobility scooter or public transport.
Council’s Road Safety Officer Emma Reynolds said as the country’s population ages, there are now more older licence holders than ever before.
“Unfortunately, NSW road crash data shows that people aged 75 years or over are three times more likely to be killed in a crash than people in their twenties. This risk increases for people aged 85 or over, who are at least four times more likely to be killed,” Ms Reynolds said.
“As we get older, our bodies change, and we face new challenge on our roads. This course helps road users to understand those changes and how they can continue to stay safe on our roads.”
The first workshop, Top 10 Misunderstood Road Rules NSW, will be held on Friday 9 April. It provides participants with a refresher on a number of important road rules, many of which have changed since some of us last sat for a driving test.
It will be followed on Friday 23 April by the Old(er) Road Users workshop.
“It covers information on how medical conditions and medication can affect our road safety, the driver licensing system for those aged 75 and older; tips for safe driving, walking, cycling, motorcycling and use of mobility scooters,” Ms Reynolds said.
“It is the responsibility of every road user to ensure they are doing everything possible to keep themselves and others on the road safe and to continue driving the road toll Toward Zero.
“This course will assist older road users and those who care for them to do just that.”
Between January 2015 and December 2019 in the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area, there were 46 people aged between 60-69-years involved in road crashes, and 68 for those aged over 70 years.
These crashes included motorists, motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians.
The two workshops are free and will be held at the Senior’s Community Centre in Tarcutta Street on 9 and 23 April from 10am.
To book your spot, contact reynolds.emma@wagga.nsw.gov.au or phone 6926 9544.