As road safety remains a growing concern, one Australian state is taking proactive steps to help older drivers stay safe behind the wheel. A new initiative offers free safety courses designed to refresh driving skills, improve road awareness, and ultimately reduce accidents involving senior motorists.
This comes after particularly concerning statistics were out—older drivers are overrepresented in this state’s road toll.
On 27 March, the South Australia Police will host two free sessions, scheduled at 10 am and 1 pm, at the newly established Road Safety Centre in West Beach. These sessions are not only a golden opportunity for drivers aged 70 and over to brush up on their knowledge of current road rules, but they are also open to licence holders of all ages.
The courses will cover a range of topics, including updates on road rules, an assessment of participants’ fitness to drive, and education on the ‘fatal five’ causes of road trauma.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to ‘reduce the overrepresentation of older road users becoming the victims of road trauma,’ according to South Australia Police.
The courses aim to educate participants on a variety of important subjects, such as sharing the road, pedestrian safety, and the safe use of electric mobility devices. Additionally, the program will discuss alternatives to driving for those who may be considering hanging up their keys.
The urgency of such programs is underscored by the sobering statistics from last year, which saw 88 motorists lose their lives on South Australian roads. Alarmingly, 38 of those fatalities were individuals aged 65 or older, accounting for more than 43 per cent of the total road deaths.
This figure starkly contrasts with the national average, where 25 per cent or 327 of 1,324 of road users killed in Australia were 65 years or older.
South Australia has a history of supporting its older drivers. The South Australia Council on the Ageing previously ran the ‘Moving Right Along’ program, which provided driver education to more than 2,500 motorists until its funding was cut in 2019. The revival of these safety courses by the police is a welcome development for the community.
The state’s focus on older driver safety was highlighted in recent months following the case of a 97-year-old South Australian woman who made headlines after failing two practical driving tests. In South Australia, it is mandated that motorists aged 85 or above take an annual practical driving test.
The woman’s case, which resulted in a suspended licence after she accumulated well over the fail threshold of 20 points, was a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by older drivers.
Despite an appeal to the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT), the decision to suspend her licence was upheld. The case sparked debate about the fairness of assessing older drivers and the factors that should be considered during such evaluations.
For our readers over 50, this initiative by South Australia Police could be a lifesaver, literally. It’s a chance to stay informed, remain confident behind the wheel, and continue enjoying the independence that driving offers.
If you’re eligible, or know someone who is, consider taking advantage of these free safety courses. After all, knowledge is power, and on the road, it could mean the difference between life and death.
We’d love to hear from you in the comments below. Have you or someone you know participated in similar driver safety courses? What was the experience like, and do you feel it helped improve driving skills? Your insights could encourage others to seek out these valuable resources and prioritise road safety.
Also read: Recent data shows alarming figures on road fatalities among older drivers
