More than 270 drivers over the age of 65 improved their driving skills through Driving Refresher courses in six Slovenian cities this year, while an additional 308 participated in road traffic rules (CPP) workshops. Together with experienced AMZS driving instructors, Zavarovalnica Triglav has thus offered support to older drivers through driving refresher courses for the fourth consecutive year. In Slovenia, almost one in three drivers is over the age of 60, and the number of older drivers will only continue to increase. These are people who passed their driving tests four or more decades ago, when road conditions were very different, and so driving is stressful for many of them.
Driving holds great value for the elderly. It represents a key to continued independence and fosters a sense of freedom and connection with loved ones. That is why Zavarovalnica Triglav once again joined forces with AMZS this year through its Driving Refresher programme, offering people over the age of 65 the opportunity to attend a free driving refresher course with an AMZS driving instructor from the end of summer to late autumn in Ljubljana, Celje, Škofja Loka, Maribor, Ajdovščina and Krško. These courses help participants regain confidence behind the wheel.
Over the past four years, more than 2,000 older drivers have refreshed their skills in this way, collectively covering nearly 70,000 kilometres across Slovenia. This year, the country’s largest insurance company has been particularly encouraging both partners in older couples to participate in the driving refresher programme. Women, in particular, tend to leave driving to their male partners. This can become a problem if the man gets sick or dies, and then the woman, even if she once drove herself, no longer feels confident enough to take the wheel.
Safer behind the wheel, but not confident enough“The results of the programme for older drivers, which in the previous three seasons included participants over the age of 60 and this year those over 65, show that the gender gap in self-confidence in later years is widening. Among drivers aged 60+, 12% of men reported a perceived decline in their driving safety. Among women, the rate was twice as high. One in four older female drivers who participated in the refresher course reported this feeling. Driving refresher courses are therefore an important opportunity to promote long-term, safe mobility for both men and women,” said Ana Cergolj Kebler, who heads the driving refresher programme at Slovenia’s largest insurance company.
Drivers like to take road traffic rules (CPP) tests
AMZS driving instructors have observed that the drivers attending refresher courses are better prepared each year. “Based on my practical experience, I can say that around 70% of all participants arrive at the refresher course prepared. Before the actual driving, they further consolidate their knowledge by reviewing useful content and tips on the Vozimse.si portal, where they also enjoy taking tests and viewing other content related to safe driving,” explained Manuel Pungertnik, Head of the AMZS Driving School and a safe driving instructor.
Free driving theory workshops for all seniors
In addition to refresher courses, which the participants take in their own cars, seniors at the same locations were this year also able to attend useful CPP workshops led by experienced AMZS instructors for the first time. They were able to invite their friends as well, as the workshops were open to all older drivers until the available places were filled. More than 300 seniors took part in these workshops in six Slovenian cities.
