Older drivers across the Highlands are being offered a free Driver MOT this September as a national road safety campaign arrives in Inverness and Kingussie.
The Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland’s Fitness to Drive roadshow will visit the Highlands from Wednesday 2 September until Sunday 6 September, offering practical advice to drivers aged 60 and over.
Sessions will take place at Simpsons Garden Centre in Inverness on 2 and 3 September, Howdens Garden Centre in Inverness on 4 and 5 September and Kingussie Golf Club on 6 September.
Each venue will be open from 10am until 4pm.
The Driver MOT is not about taking people off the road, but helping experienced motorists recognise changes that can come with age and make practical adjustments that allow them to continue driving safely and confidently.
There are more than 850,000 drivers aged over 60 in Scotland, while Transport Scotland statistics show an increasing trend in road casualties involving motorists within this age group.
Changes to eyesight, hearing and reaction times can all affect driving, sometimes gradually enough that motorists may not immediately notice the difference themselves.
The campaign will offer advice on relatively simple measures such as having regular eye examinations, reducing driving at night, avoiding busy junctions during peak periods and refreshing driving skills through a review.
Friends and relatives of older motorists are also being encouraged to attend, with advice available on how to begin constructive conversations about driving when concerns arise.
Economy, Tourism and Transport Secretary Stephen Flynn said:
“The Fitness to Drive campaign is designed to support older drivers to recognise any changes that come with age whether that’s to eyesight or hearing and encouraging them to take action to ensure they continue driving safely and confidently.
“Change doesn’t always have to mean hanging up the keys and, by helping older drivers and their families ensure their driving fitness, we can help make people more confident and safer when they travel which, in turn, can help stop collisions and save lives.”
The Highland roadshow begins at Simpsons Garden Centre in Inverness on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 September, running from 10am until 4pm on both days.
It then moves to Howdens Garden Centre on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 September, again between 10am and 4pm.
The final Highland stop will be Kingussie Golf Club on Sunday 6 September from 10am until 4pm.
For many people across the Highlands, particularly those living in smaller and more rural communities, being able to drive is an important part of remaining independent.
The message behind the roadshow is therefore a sensible one.
Getting older does not automatically mean giving up the keys, but it does mean making sure you are still fit and confident enough to use them safely.
For advice about how to keep driving safely for longer, visit roadsafety.scot/road-user-advice/mature-drivers
