Elderly drivers have been urged to take part in vital road safety training across the UK to help ensure they remain roadworthy and compliant with driving laws.
Police forces across West Mercia and Northamptonshire have launched training sessions for older drivers with slots available throughout the Summer months until September.
The sessions aimed at mature motorists follow mounting concerns about road safety amongst older drivers, particularly in relation to reaction times, which get slower with age.
The programme targets drivers aged 65 and above, offering free awareness sessions to help them understand how ageing affects driving capabilities.
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GETTY | Elderly motorists have been urged to take part in road safety initiatives across the UK
The need for more supportive measures follows alarming statistics, which revealed that between 2020 and 2024, West Mercia recorded 34 deaths and 259 serious injuries involving motorists aged 70 or older.
Meanwhile, looking at the UK as a whole, data published by the Department for Transport found that between 2004 and 2023, the number of people killed or seriously injured from a collision involving at least one older driver increased by 12 per cent from 3,082 to 3,451.
The initiative forms part of a broader road safety strategy outlined in Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion's West Mercia Safer Communities Plan.
Sessions are being delivered across multiple locations, including Hereford, Worcester, Bromsgrove and Malvern, with many dates already fully subscribed.
GETTY | Elderly drivers are more likely to have fatalities and serious injuries on UK roads
The programme addresses growing anxieties about elderly motorists' safety, as families increasingly worry about older relatives behind the wheel.
Overwhelming demand for the safety sessions has already peaked, with most venues reaching capacity, with only Ross-on-Wye and Peterchurch still accepting bookings. Virtual reality technology enables participants to experience firsthand how ageing impacts driving abilities.
Developed through collaboration between local authorities and the national Older Driver Forum, the programme uses headsets to demonstrate visual impairments and reduced physical mobility that commonly affect mature motorists.
Participants view two brief films while seated, experiencing simulated age-related challenges. The technology illustrates difficulties with peripheral vision, slower reaction times, and physical limitations that can compromise road safety.
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Following each film, attendees can raise questions and discuss concerns with facilitators. The sessions welcome family members seeking guidance about elderly relatives' driving capabilities.
Campion said: "Too many people are being killed or seriously injured on our roads. At the heart of my West Mercia Safer Communities Plan is working with partners and the public to improve road safety.
"Education plays an important part in that, and I fully support this collaboration which utilises the latest technology to equip people with the knowledge they need to stay safe on our roads."
Beyond the virtual reality sessions, various support mechanisms exist for mature motorists concerned about their driving abilities.
GETTY | Elderly drivers are required to renew their licence when they turn 70Elsewhere in the UK, Northamptonshire Police are getting ready to launch its own training session on September 16 for elderly drivers.
The police said: "Driving is an important part of our everyday life, and the Northamptonshire Safer Roads Alliance is keen to help keep mature drivers to drive safer for longer.
"Our ability to drive changes over time for different reasons, especially as we get older. It is important that we recognise whether and how our driving is changing so we can stay safe and protect both ourselves and those around us."
Mobility centres throughout the UK provide comprehensive evaluations and advice, with trained professionals assessing driving competence and suggesting potential vehicle modifications to extend safe driving years.