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A new road safety campaign is visiting Hamilton today (November 10) in a bid to keep locals driving safely for longer. The Driver MOT roadshow is stopping off at the Regent Shopping Centre as part of Scotland-wide tour. The Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland launched the imitative as pas art of a Fitness to Drive campaign, encouraging motorists aged 60 and over to reflect on their driving skills and take steps to stay safe and confident behind the wheel. Transport Scotland data show a continuing trend towards increasing numbers of casualties aged 60 and over. With more than 850,000 drivers in this age group in Scotland, the campaign 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. The Driver MOT roadshow will raise awareness of these measures. 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. Cabinet Secretary for Transport, 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.” The campaign is backed by IAM RoadSmart, a leading UK road safety charity, helping to improve driving and riding skills through courses and coaching. IAM RoadSmart offers mature driver reviews to help maintain driving skills and confidence and has played a key role in supporting the delivery of the driver MOT roadshow. IAM RoadSmart’s road safety manager for Scotland, Stewart Mackie, said: “Having a mature driver review can be a great way to boost your confidence on the roads and ensure that you and your passengers are safe. We know just how important driving is, and how it represents the freedom to go anywhere, anytime. This is why many mature drivers choose our course, because it gives them the confidence and skills to carry on driving and maintain their independence. “We’d encourage anyone who is interested to come along to their local driver MOT event, where a friendly team will be on hand to offer support, guidance and practical advice to help you drive safely for longer.” The driver MOT roadshow will run until January 2026, with stops at shopping centres, garden centres, and community hubs across Scotland. Dates and locations can be found at roadsafety.scot/mature-driver-roadshow . For more information, visit: roadsafety.scot/maturedrivers . * Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook ? Head on over and give us a like and share!
