AGE is just a number – and more than eight decades on the clock isn’t putting the brake on mature motorists driving around the county.
Devoted drivers of a certain age are keeping their hands firmly on the wheel, according to an email that dropped into my inbox the other day.
I was interested to hear that there are 8,500 over-80s with driving licences in Bedfordshire, according to DVLA figures.
And there are now more than a million motorists aged over 80 nationwide.
But that’s not all. The figures include 122 people over 100 who still hold driving licences.
That includes three 105-year-olds – and one 106-year-old woman.
The IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) told me all this, based on DVLA statistics.
And the institute says accident figures show that drivers in their 80s are actually safer than their more youthful counterparts.
It says the rate of deaths and serious injuries in crashes among drivers over 80 is three times less than the rate for those aged 17-19.
And the rate of crash deaths and serious injuries among drivers aged 20-24 is 36.4 per cent higher than for drivers aged 80 and over.
What did the IAM have to say about the fascinating figures?
Chief executive Simon Best said: “Older people need their cars, which give them better mobility and access to more activities and services.
“Those who wish to continue driving beyond the age of 70 should only be prevented from doing so if there are compelling reasons.
“Rather than seeking to prevent older people from driving, we should make them more aware of the risks they face, and offer them driving assessments to help them eliminate bad habits. Driving helps older people play a full and active part in society.”
Forget fuel – these cars are running on grey power!
AS I wrote this, there was still the odd patch of stubborn snow clinging to my garden, days after the world turned into a winter wonderland yet again.
We’ve had it pretty easy this winter when it comes to snow, compared to last year’s nightmares.
But it still took a hour to clear our driveway after the last snowfall, and someone else told me it took them a good hour-and-a-half.
It’s enough to make you ‘flake’ out!
And don’t you feel silly digging out the car and then trekking around the shops in wellies and woollies – only to find not a snowflake in sight in Dunstable town centre. Ho hum.
There’s always a chance that we’ll be snowed in again by the time you read this.
But just in case we’ve seen the last of the wintry weather, here’s another picture of sledgers on Dunstable Downs to remind you that there’s s-nowhere more fun when the white stuff comes down...
DID you remember that it was Pancake Day this week?
I didn’t hear about much going on for Shrove Tuesday this year.
But however you marked the day, I hope you had a flipping good time!