Harefield Gazette

Confidence for older drivers

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A RECENT survey by Independen­t Age, the older people’s charity, revealed that one third (33%) of drivers aged 70 and over in London say they would feel like they had lost part of their identity if they were not able to drive and for more than four in five (84%) older drivers it would mean a loss of independen­ce.

The survey was commission­ed to promote our new, free advice guide, Behind the Wheel: Tips for Safe and Confident Driving in later life.

The guide is full of tips to help support older drivers, and provides informatio­n on alternativ­es if they decide to stop driving.

It is accompanie­d by online informatio­n for the families of older drivers around how to start difficult conversati­ons about driving.

The survey showed that, for many older people in London, being able to drive means so much more than just being able to get out-andabout.

Whether it’s keeping in touch with family and friends or continuing to do their shopping, driving can help maintain a sense of independen­ce, and identity too.

There are almost five million people over the age of 70 who hold licences in the UK, with more than 100,000 of those over the age of 90.

There are many benefits to continuing to drive into older age and, as long as they remain safe, older people should be able to continue driving for as long as they want to.

It’s also vital that people who are no longer able to drive have access to informatio­n on the various options available for getting around without a car.

Independen­t Age is one of the two charities who provided contributo­rs for ITV’s 100-year-old Driving School, which airs at 9pm on Tuesdays from September 12 to 26.

Independen­t Age representa­tives attended the three regional hubs to talk to older drivers and their families participat­ing in the programme about their experience­s of driving, in research for the Behind the Wheel advice guide.

Behind the Wheel is completely free to order and download from www.independen­tage.org/drivinggui­de or can be ordered by calling 0800 319 6789.

To make a donation or find out more about how you can support the work of Independen­t Age and help older people stay independen­t, please visit www.independen­tage.org.

Lucy Harmer Director of Services, Independen­t Age Avonmore Road West Kensington

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