A driving force at almost 101

CENTENARIAN Mildred Low has been driving for 64 years. She’s never had a speeding ticket nor been involved in a motor vehicle crash, and she’s in no hurry to hang up her car keys just yet.

The sprightly Timaru woman, who turns 101 on Thursday, still drives daily and only stopped regular trips to Ashburton to visit family when she reached 100.

Low, who still lives in her own three-bedroom brick home and tends to her extensive garden, says driving keeps her independent.

Figures from the NZ Transport Agency show there are 33 licence holders aged 100 years and over, compared to 13 in 2013. Low is one of only two female licensed drivers in New Zealand aged 100. When she turns 101 she will join two other female drivers of the same age and eight males.

Low’s immaculate white

1986 Honda Civic, bought 30 years ago, is a familiar sight around the South Canterbury town as she heads to the supermarket, her hairdresser and doctor’s appointments.

‘‘It’s a good wee car,’’ she said. ‘‘It was a year old when I bought it and it’s regularly serviced.’’

Low learnt to drive aged 37, prompted by her late husband Cyril, who thought it would be good for the mother of five to be able to get ‘‘out and about’’.

‘‘I learnt to drive in a Ford then I moved on to my father’s Buick. It was good to learn with my husband and it turned out I was quite a good driver.’’

She said the new skill allowed her freedom which she is still enjoying today.

‘‘I can go out when I want and need to and if I don’t feel like going out, I don’t have to. I’m on my own so I rely on myself.’’

That freedom is something Low’s daughter Lyn George, also of Timaru, says keeps her mother fighting fit.

‘‘She’s always been independent and she’s always