Home Local News Rainford residents learn about road safety at village hall event

Rainford residents learn about road safety at village hall event

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Dozens of older Rainford residents attended a free Merseyside Senior Road Safety event that took place at the village hall last week.

Hosted by St Helens Council as the Merseyside lead authority for senior road users, the event – the latest in a series of similar events – sought to address the growing problem of senior road users, aged 60 and over, being involved in road traffic collisions.

A number of presentations were delivered by key organisations, including St Helens Council’s Road Safety team, Merseyside Police and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, Arriva and the Institute of Advanced Motorists. Representatives from Greater Manchester Police and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service attended the event, with a view to delivering similar events in their own county.

Attendees were given advice on driving while using prescribed drugs and medicine – as well as tips on winter driving and the benefits of public transport. The event also addressed the increasing number of incidents involving pedestrians within the senior road user age group – now becoming an area of great concern.

Event-goers learned about the popular ‘Drive Safely for Longer’ course, which is offered free to residents in Merseyside over 60 years of age. The course provides information, tips and advice to allow them to continue, as the name suggests, to drive safely for longer.

Agencies set out information stalls on a range of road safety topics for pedestrians, drivers, cyclists and horse riders. Residents were also treated to a free Christmas lunch.

“Statistics show that one in seven road traffic collisions in Merseyside now involve a driver over the age of 65, and that trend is on the rise,” said St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Green Smart and Sustainable Borough, Councillor Terry Shields.

“We all want to maintain our independence in later life, and the ability to drive gives us incredible freedom. It’s also great that we’re living longer these days, but that comes with increased risks on the roads.

“As we get older it’s important to refresh our knowledge and get some advice on our driving, how that can be affected by medication, sight loss, slower reaction times and so on, so I’d highly recommend our Senior Road User events and the Drive Safely for Longer course.”

The next Senior Road User event will take place on Tuesday 6 February 2018, 10pm-2pm at Rainhill Village Hall, Dane Court, L35 4LU.

For more information please contact St Helens Council’s Road Safety Team on 01744 673237 or email elainecross@sthelens.gov.uk

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