Don’t Forget Older Drivers, Says Guild

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Don’t Forget Older Drivers, Says Guild

Mature drivers are being forgotten by Government despite their growing numbers, says NZ Motoring Writers' Guild president John Oxley.

"Safer Journeys' increased focus on driver education is to be applauded, but it ignores the mature driver," he says.

"Older drivers are more likely to be injured in a crash than their younger counterparts, and those crashes carry a societal and human cost," he says.

In 2007 drivers aged 75 and over made up 4.6 per cent of licenced drivers, but nine per cent of NZ's total road fatalities.

Our ageing population means that by 2020, 14 per cent of road fatalities will be over 75.

"With the number of over-65s increasing, it's vital to upskill mature drivers before they have that crash. It can be as simple as fitting the driver properly to the car," he says.

His members are behind the AA Driver Education Foundation push to introduce Car Fit to New Zealand.

Car Fit takes 15 or 20 minutes, and talks a driver through the correct seating position for safety, how to adjust the car to suit, and involves Occupational Therapists to suggest solutions if the car's own adjustment is not enough.

"A woman whose spouse can no longer drive may not realise she can adjust the seat to better suit her height; an older driver used to outdated cars may not be aware of all the safety and driver-fit features available in their newer car, or that there are devices to help them reach the seatbelt so they use it to best advantage," Oxley says.

"Many are not aware the head restraint is a safety device, or that an airbag should be a certain distance from the chest to operate effectively. Even moving their hands to a different part of the wheel to avoid shoulder pain can prevent a distraction at a vital moment."

"Car Fit is a low-cost intervention that can be run by communities," he says.

"That said, the NZ Motoring Writers' Guild calls for the Government to urgently replace the discontinued 'Safe with Age' course, which also helped mature drivers revise the road rules and learn how to identify situations they struggle with, and work around them safely."

The NZ Motoring Writers' Guild supports AA DEF as it works with relevant departments to introduce Car Fit, expected to roll out later this year

ENDS

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