Passengers in capable hands of experience

By Kath Gannaway
JIM Linton loves driving.
He’s been behind the wheel for 55 years and has never had an accident.
It’s an impressive record, but at 72, Jim says he is not resting on his laurels.
There is too much at stake for himself, and for other drivers on the road.
On Wednesday 12 August, Jim will join other senior drivers at Swinburne Campus to take part in the one-hour “Years Ahead – Road Safety for Seniors” session.
When to hand in your keys is a huge decision for older people for whom driving can be valued as a passport to independence.
“I think when people reach 70 they should have an assessment of their driving capability,” he said.
“I think generally your reflexes can change as you get older and I take more time now at crossroads and when I am coming out of side roads I am definitely more conscious of my own ability to pull out safely.”
The free session will be delivered by the RACV and cover a range of topics including driving and road safety tips, choosing a safe vehicle, the impact of health and medications and self-assessing driving ability.
There will also be information about alternative transport options in Healesville and how to plan for future mobility.
The Years Ahead session will be complemented with the “Community Mobility Program” on Thursday 20 August.
For information and bookings on the Years Ahead program phone HICCI on 5965 3522, and for the Community Mobility program, the Melba Support Program on 5962 1033.