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NRMA Grant Gives Hunter Senior Drivers Peace Of Mind


NRMA Grant Gives Hunter Senior Drivers Peace Of Mind

Author: NRMA Motoring & ServicesDate: 17 March 2009

Red Cross will use a $5,000 NRMA Safer Driving School Community Safety Grant to produce an older driver DVD to help give local Newcastle and Hunter seniors peace of mind.

NRMA Director Kyle Loades met with Red Cross in Broadmeadow and representatives from the Department of Veterans' Affairs and Cardiff RSL Sub Branch last week to discuss the Road Safety DVD project which will use local interviews from senior drivers across the Lower Hunter. The aim of the DVD is to take the fear factor out of growing older and driving or stopping driving altogether.

Mr Loades said the Pathways For Older Drivers DVD would be instrumental in raising community awareness of the issues faced by older drivers and their families and help them make informed decisions on safe driving practices

"The DVD will use the thoughts and stories of local drivers to show how different people adapt to the driving challenges presented by the physical signs of ageing," Mr Loades said.

"The very real fear senior drivers have of retiring from driving is also explored in the DVD with driver-experience stories showing how people have managed once the decision was made to hang up their keys for good.

"Everyone has their own unique way of coping with changes to their driving as they get older and the driver-experience stories will show that getting older and driver cessation does not mean an automatic loss of independence."

Red Cross Regional Telecross Coordinator Judy Lindsay said the DVD titled Pathways For Older Drivers would be available mid year and would focus on positive experiences drivers have had while adjusting to driver retirement and life without a car.

"We want to people to know there are alternative transport options, community services and social support available should driving no longer be an option," Ms Lindsay said.

NRMA Safer Driving School Community Grants help communities develop solutions to local road safety problems. This year NRMA has awarded $100,000 worth of road safety grants to 24 community groups and councils throughout NSW.

For more information on how to remain safer on the road for longer visit the NRMA website.

Contact Kimberly Rigby 0439 133 215 *Photos available on request.

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