The Gloucestershire Older Drivers Forum has seen its impact recognised by Gloucestershire Constabulary and the region’s police and crime commissioner.
The forum was presented with the Caroline Symes Memorial Bowl in recognition of its outstanding voluntary work for the Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership.
Since forming in 2018, the forum has delivered 122 presentations and webinars to more than 4,300 attendees. Its monthly social media viewings run in the thousands.
Gloucestershire is now a positive outlier in terms of road casualties of drivers in the 70+ years age group. Nationally, 23% of all road fatalities are drivers in this age group. The last death in a road collision in this age group in Gloucestershire was 5 November 2022.
Last year serious injuries in this age group were down 35%.
Nigel Lloyd Jones from the Gloucestershire Older Drivers Forum said: “We were honoured to receive the Caroline Symes Memorial Bowl. We share this accolade with, and give thanks to, all our partners and supporters.
“By 2030 the pensioner population in Gloucestershire is estimated to increase by 26% with many entering a more vulnerable stage in their driving lives.
“All these will need the support and advice we provide.”
This award was established in 1977 as recognition of community service by the Symes family in memory of their daughter PC Caroline Symes, who died in a horse-riding incident.
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