Steer your way to a longer driving career

Eileen Taylor, Chairperson of Rochdale’s Institute of Advanced Motorists, presents Eric Buckley with a Gold Certificate following his assessment drive

Rochdale Borough Council’s Casualty Reduction Team has joined forces with the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) to offer experienced drivers the chance to brush up on their skills.

Anyone who has been driving for more than 30 years can come along and receive free advice on changes on the road and take part in a free assessment drive tailored to suit their needs.

The rate of deaths and serious injuries in crashes among car drivers aged 20 to 24 is around 30% higher than for drivers aged over 50. Road markings and signs are changing all the time, however, and drivers who have years of experience may not be fully conversant with everything they see on the highway.

Data from the DVLA shows that the number of drivers over 80 has topped one million. This figure will continue to rise as the Office of National Statistics predicts that there will be 8.7 million people over the age of 75 by 2033 - 4.8 million more than in 2008.

Councillor Jacqueline Beswick, Cabinet Member for Highways at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “The car can be the only form of independence for many people as they get older and so I hope the opportunity to receive some expert advice on motoring will be very well received around the borough.”