Drivers 65+

Why focus on mature drivers now?
The community conserves valuable resources because older people can be self-sufficient when they are mobile. In addition they are often good helpers to others, they can help significantly with transportation, such as collecting the grand-children and driving family and friends from place to place.

Many of these people have received little or no training in current traffic regulations. We also know that many of the skills that are important in traffic can be diminished with increasing age. The consequence of this can be more traffic accidents.

The need for the car increases
The car is a ticket to freedom! It makes an active life possible and can counteract isolation and loneliness. The car provides the freedom to decide for oneself when and where to travel, independent of others. This is especially important when the development of our community had led to many people living greater distances from their families, shopping centres and other services. Many get great enjoyment from helping with voluntary work and doing favours for others.

Background
The program for older drivers was included in State Directive no. 37, the Norwegian Road and Road Traffic Plan 1998-2007, and has now been implemented in the National Plan of Action for Traffic Safety on the Road 2006-2009.