COUNTY: Older residents in Dorset will be given the opportunity to participate in driver refresher sessions at a number of sites in the country, including Beaminster, through the rest of the year.

Following an earlier pilot project, Dorset County Council are offering drivers aged 70 ‘discussion’ sessions about driving issues. Each session costs £5.

The sessions do not involve any driving, covering subjects including staying fit to drive, car adaptations, new driving techniques, changes to the Highway Code, negotiating roundabouts and junctions safely, and dual carriageway and motorway driving.

An option for a ‘practical refresher drive’ will be available at a later date, consisting of a 90-minute one-to-one driving sessions on local roads, towns, and country driving.

The practical session will be offered free of charge for a limited number of people on a first-come, first-served basis.

The normal cost of a practical refresher session is £37.50.

DCC cabinet member for environment and economy Councillor Peter Finney said: “In a rural county like Dorset, driving is the most common way for people to get around, giving them access to work, loved ones, shops and health services.

“Research suggests that human error plays a part in almost all collisions and nearly half the people killed or seriously injured on Dorset’s roads are in a car.

“We could all do with a refresher from time-to-time, however long we’ve been driving.

“I’m going to have a go at this course. It will give me a chance to brush up on my driving skills.”

The Beaminster theory session will take place at The Public Hall on December 2 from 10am.

For more information visit dorsetforyou.com/roadsafety/gold or call the road safety team on 01305 224558.