Did you know that drivers at 75 years of age need a medical review and eyesight test each year to renew their licence?
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Or that, at 85 years, drivers will need to pass a practical driving assessment every second year to keep an unrestricted licence.
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Next month, the Rotary Club of Crookwell and Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) will hold an Older Road User Workshop at Crookwell to learn about new road rules and road safety. The workshop is targeted at drivers over the age of 65 years.
"As we get older, we need to pick up on the latest rules and regulations. They do change," Ken Leach said.
Between the ages of 17 years, when motorists first get their licence, and the age to renew a driver's licence, there is no revision on road rules or tests, he said.
"The course is to make sure drivers are aware of their surroundings and what's out there."
The two-hour workshop will include: driver licensing changes after the age of 75; the four key health changes and how this affects road user abilities; retiring from driving; transport options; safer driving habits; mobility scooters, bicycles and motorcycles, and; the top ten misunderstood road rules.
As at January 2019, 114 of 354 fatalities on NSW roads were people over the age of 60, figures from the RMS show. Over 30 per cent of serious injuries were people of the same age.
In 2018 from January to September in the Hume Police District, people aged between 60-69-years were involved in 12.6 per cent of motor vehicle accidents, including motorcycles, and people aged over 70-years were in 9.7pc.
NSW Police encourage all drivers to be aware of their surroundings and the prevailing road, environment and weather conditions.
A spokesperson from NSW Police said, "it is the responsibility of every driver to be informed about any health issues which could impair their driving ability, including the effects of any medications they might be taking, as well as perceptions of distance and any changes in legislation.
"When it comes to long trips, particularly when there's a caravan being towed, police encourage all drivers to take regular breaks and plan their trips in advance."
The workshop will be held at the Country Women's Association (CWA) rooms at Crookwell between 1-3pm on Thursday, October 17. The cost is $5 per person for afternoon tea supplied by the CWA.
