DORSET Police has launched a scheme to help older drivers.

The Older Drivers Forum is a not-for-profit making organisation made up of experts in road safety from across Dorset, with representatives from the emergency services to charities, local authorities and businesses specialising in keeping older people on the road safely for longer.

A police spokesman said: "We will also offer services and guidance for those motorists who feel that perhaps the time is right for them to retire ‘from’ driving and will be offering our guidance booklets to drivers and these will be made available in health centres and GP surgeries.

"We aim to support and engage with the older driver in order to provide those who wish to continue driving with practical and informative advice on driving safely for longer."

It includes:

n Informing the older driver about the risks they face and ways to reduce them with tips on hazard perception.

n Helping to identify when the time has come to retire from driving and offer relevant advice.

n Giving advice to family and friends

n Having the opportunity to engage with some practical reaction testing games and task

There will be ‘Meet and Greet’ events and workshops during older road users awareness week in Dorset including Poole Dolphin Shopping Centre on Monday, September 30, between 10am and 3pm and at Allendale Community Centre in Wimborne between 10am and 3pm on Saturday, October 5.

The spokesman added: “We welcome all drivers and especially their families to come and see what all partners have to offer with regards to safer driving for longer and to come and ask any questions or obtain advice. Representatives from Wessex Driveability, Age UK, police and fire, opticians, and local authorities will be on hand."

Lord Julian Fellowes has assisted Dorset Police with the scheme and is supportive of the initiative.

Visit olderdriversforum.com. To book a place email olderdrivers@dorset.pnn.police.uk