Drive for life

Experienced motorists aged 65+ can brush up their driving skills on a free one day refresher course. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Drive for Life course, run by Pembrokeshire County Council takes place once a month at Haverfordwest Fire Station and aims to provide experienced drivers who are driving regularly with an overall update on all aspects of safe driving. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The day is split into two parts, the first is a theory based classroom session followed by a practical session with an approved driving instructor. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The theory sessions covers topics such as: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

• The Highway Code
• Motorway driving
• High Risk area’s (Junctions and roundabouts)
• Health and mobility issues
• Seasonal driving
• Road Signs
• Defensive driving/hazard awareness
• DVLA and Driving Licence information

The practical session involves Individuals sharing the instructors’ vehicle with another candidate and covering aspects of driving they wish to refresh, such as parallel parking or roundabouts and general safer driving techniques. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Attendees are then invited to evaluate the course via a questionnaire six to 12 months later. Those that do are entered into a prize draw. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Miss Dorothy Hill from Milford Haven was the latest winner and she believes going on the course has done wonders for her driving. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The refresher course was very enjoyable and worthwhile, it’s certainly given a boost to my confidence and my observations have increased. I’m more comfortable around roundabouts as a result.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cabinet spokesman for Transportation and Major Events, Councillor Rob Lewis believes all experienced drivers can benefit from the refresher. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The beauty of the Drive for Life Course is that people are not assessed on how they drive, it’s there to boost their confidence and offer advice on whatever aspect of driving they like. I’d recommend it to all drivers over the age of 65.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

For more information regarding the course or to book a place please contact the Road safety Team on 01437 775144 ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Caption
From left to right Councillor Rob Lewis, ADI Mike Hughes, PCC Road Safety Officer Kirstie-Anne Donoghue, ADI Mark Jempson, Miss Dorothy Hill who won a £50 cash prize after filling in questionnaire following attendance on the course. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​