To help guide and advise everyone on how to use rural roads safely, we’ve assisted NFU Mutual along with the four UK farming unions, Farm Safety Foundation – Yellow Wellies, The British Horse Society, RoSPA to create a Code for Countryside Roads for everyone to use.
With the number of lives lost on rural roads 70% higher than on urban highways, we hope the Code can help to tackle the tragic and disproportionate loss of life on the UK’s rural roads. Click here to find out more
Today (5th December 2024) our chair, Rob Heard, appeared on BBC Morning Live talking about Vision and Driving and how important it is that we all have good vision for driving. Rob has been working with Eye Health UK and the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) running a campaign across the country called ‘Is Your Vision RoadWorthy?’.
The results of the campaign were analysed and a report written by Dr Carol Hawley of Warwick Medical School and CARGY research. The report can be read in detail on the website Vision and Driving.
The campaign was the largest ever UK roadside vision screening survey and revealed a worrying number of motorists in Britain driving with sub-standard vision. The main findings in the report said:
Rob Heard speaking with Gordon Smart on BBC Morning Live
Our chair said
“This report highlights that many people are still taking the risk to drive without knowing they have suitable vision for driving and failing to have an eyesight test every two years. Peoples’ sight deteriorates gradually, often without them being aware and often without them realising their sight may have fallen below the legal limit.
Regular sight tests with an optometrist are an effective way of not only making sure we are safe to drive on the road, but also detecting medical conditions early so they can be treated, potentially extending a person’s driving career.” Rob Heard
To watch the BBC Morning Live programme then click on this link. Footage on the campaign starts at 14:49.
Valerie Singleton OBE to host festive GEM webinar on Thursday 12 December
Registration is now open for GEM Motoring Assist’s forthcoming webinar, hosted by Valerie Singleton OBE. The event takes place on Thursday 12 December at 2pm, and will include the opportunity to one lucky participant win a luxury hamper in time for Christmas.
Val’s guests include motoring journalist David Motton (road test editor for GEM’s member magazine Good Motoring), who will answer questions on the big changes in car tax coming in April 2025. He will also offer advice for anyone looking to change their car in 2025, and will point to where some of the best automotive bargains might be found.
Lee Puffett, GEM’s managing director, will review the many highlights for the organisation in 2024, and will outline exciting new member benefits scheduled for the coming year.
Heidi Duffy and her colleagues from the National Young Rider Forum have made good use of a recent grant from the GEM Road Safety Charity. They have produced a suite of short videos promoting better knowledge of road safety among young working motorbike and scooter riders – and Heidi will be on hand to share one or two of them.
Alan Hiscox from the British Horse Society will reveal an exciting new awareness-raising initiative for 2025… and transport historian Alan Wakely will be sharing a raft of fascinating facts and figures relating to Christmas on the road.
Anyone interested in winning the luxury Christmas hamper will have the chance to answer a prize question posed by Val, who will announce the name of the lucky winner before the end of the webinar. Details of how to take part will be explained during the webinar.
GEM managing director Lee Puffett said: “We are excited about this webinar, and particularly happy to be working with Valerie Singleton once again. She has a long and successful relationship with GEM, and I know and she remains passionate in supporting safe mobility and independence for all road users.”
As well as presenting the organisation’s long-running ‘Still Safe to Drive’ web resource for senior drivers and their families, Val has also completed two GEM driver assessments in recent years.
Register now for the webinar: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OI2GHJJFQSycI4BqwsvWbw
Saturday 30 November 10:00am Older Drivers Forum Webinar
‘DRIVING SAFELY IN WINTER. HIGHWAYS SPECIAL.’
With temperatures plummeting with journey planning, it is even more important to check weather reports and road conditions.
Our guest presenter is Chris Walsh Gloucestershire Highways Area Manager, responsible for winter operations. He will provide a fascinating insight into the services and operations being delivered by Highways to keep our roads safe.
Also, where information can be gathered on the Highways website on gritting scheduling.
This webinar also provides advice for mature driver on how to sharpen driving skills, prepare their car and plan journeys to reflect the challenges of winter.
At this event we also give details of mature driver reviews that are available free of charge for Gloucestershire residents in 65+ age group
To register for this event, click on this link https://tinyurl.com/364nkx8s
Older Drivers Forum 