Virtual reality used to keep older drivers safe

Drivers aged 65 and over have been invited to watch a virtual reality film to learn about how ageing can affect driving.

Police and the fire service have teamed up to run 10 sessions for mature drivers over the next five months across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, with dates for Shropshire still to be announced.

Supt Stuart Bill of West Mercia Police said: "We've got a lot of rural country roads in West Mercia. We want to ensure our older drivers are as safe as possible."

Police said the group discussions might also appeal to family members who had concerns for an older relative.

At the first session in Redditch on Tuesday, a 78-year-old man called Gerald said he had begun to find driving more challenging, "avoiding these youngsters whizzing round who are quicker and faster than me".

He said he now took longer to react to situations and found motorways more of a challenge.

Sandra and Hazel said they signed up to feel more secure and their issues included boy racers, a lack of respect for slower drivers, impatient motorists and people who did not signal.

Kate, 65, said her concern was whether people's reactions were as good as they thought, while Pádraig, 66, said attitudes changed with age and older drivers tended to look out for things that those aged 17 or 18 did not.

Supt Bill said older drivers were not unsafe and often had years of driving experience behind them.

He said, though health concerns needed to be considered, the force wanted "to keep people mobile".

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said there were 34 deaths and 259 serious injuries across West Mercia between 2020 and 2024 involving drivers over 70.

He said the virtual reality sessions used the latest technology to equip drivers with "the knowledge they need to stay safe".

Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.