Are you fit to drive?

A NEW safe driving roadshow is visiting the region this week. The Driver MOT sessions have been at the Loreburn Shopping Centre and now moved to Caulders Hetland garden centre, Carrutherstown. Officials are there today until Friday as part of a Fitness to Drive campaign, encouraging local drivers aged 60 and over to reflect on their driving skills and take steps to stay safe and confident behind the wheel. The initiative highlights the importance of recognising changes that can come with age and taking simple, practical steps to address them. These include booking regular eye examinations, reducing night-time driving, avoiding busy junctions at peak hours, and refreshing driving skills with a mature driving review. Local drivers can drop by for information and reassurance, as well as advice on how to adapt driving habits to continue driving safely for longer. Friends and family are also encouraged to attend for tips on starting supportive conversations if they have concerns about a loved one’s driving. Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “As we get older, changes to eyesight, hearing, and reaction times can all affect our ability to drive safely. The Fitness to Drive campaign is about supporting older drivers to recognise those changes and take action to continue to stay safe on the road. “Even one death on Scotland’s roads is one too many. By encouraging older drivers and their families to reflect on driving fitness, we can help save lives and ensure people feel confident and secure when they travel.” For more information, visit: roadsafety.scot/maturedrivers.