Positive Ageing - Keep Your Driving Skills Up To Date

It makes sense to update your driving skills if it’s a long time since you last looked at a copy of the Road Code. Remember too that a change to the give way rule is coming up on March 25.

A free, safer driving course to update people on the Road Code will be held on Tuesday 28 February from 9.00 am-noon at the Wesley Centre. For more information, contact Geoff at the Marlborough Road Safety Council, Ph: 03 578 8143.

Tips for safe driving for older drivers

• Have regular eyesight and hearing checks
• Stay physically fit to keep good control of the steering wheel
• Plan trips well in advance - try to avoid peak traffic and bad weather
• Avoid driver fatigue by taking frequent breaks and not driving at night
• Be a safe driver - scan the road and allow time to react to the unexpected
• Check with your GP about the effect any medication may have on your driving
• Remember the effect of alcohol is magnified by certain types of medication
• Be aware even a small amount of alcohol can slow reactions, reduce concentration and impair judgement - skills which are already declining with age.