Driving Mobility joined the Naidex 2026 exhibition as part of the National Highways stand, where the adapted driving simulator from the William Merritt Centre (WMC) once again proved to be a popular attraction.

Naidex, one of the UK’s most established events for the disability community, brings together innovators, care professionals, and people with lived experience. The two-day event showcases solutions to improve mobility and accessibility, highlights emerging technologies, and explores the future of inclusive design. It attracts around 12,000 visitors each year, including disabled people, families, and carers seeking practical advice and support.

Throughout the event the adapted driving simulator, fitted with push/pull hand controls, drew a steady stream of visitors. The simulator provided an opportunity for attendees to experience adapted driving in a safe and supportive environment, complementing National Highways’ focus on ensuring that disabled road users can travel safely and confidently.

The Driving Mobility team, including David Blythe (WMC Centre Manager and Driving Mobility Board member), Lisa Deacon (ShopMobility UK Project Manager), and Keith Roper (Driving Mobility Chief Executive), engaged with hundreds of visitors over the two days.

Many prospective drivers, including wheelchair users, were eager to try the simulator’s hand controls and learn more about the support available through Driving Mobility’s network of independent mobility centres. Discussions focused on driving assessments, vehicle adaptations, and the range of adapted vehicles available to trial across the UK.

Events such as Naidex provide an important opportunity to raise awareness of the support available, helping more people to explore safe and independent mobility options with confidence.

A new independent driving and mobility centre, South Coast DriveAbility, has begun delivering assessment services across the South Coast region.

While preparations continue for the centre’s permanent base in Fareham, expected to open in April, the team has already started seeing clients at a number of outreach locations.

The first driving assessments were delivered in Salisbury on 6 February, followed by passenger assessments in Bournemouth on 10 February. Further services are being introduced in Eastleigh, where the first client will be seen on 20 February, with arrangements also in place to begin assessments in Newport on the Isle of Wight.

South Coast DriveAbility will provide clinically informed driving and mobility assessments delivered by specialist teams, including occupational therapists and driving assessors. These assessments help individuals whose driving may be affected by a health condition, disability or age-related change to understand their options and make informed decisions about safe mobility.

As the Fareham centre prepares to open, we will share further updates.

If you are in the South Coast area and would like to enquire about a fitness-to-drive or passenger assessment, please contact:
Email: info@southcoastdriveability.org.uk
Tel: 01329 640791
Text only: 07860 089254

We welcome the publication of the Government’s new Road Safety Strategy and its focus on a safer, more inclusive, and evidence-based approach to road safety.

The strategy sets out a long-term ambition to significantly reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on Britain’s roads, using a “Safe System” approach. This recognises that people can make mistakes and focuses on safer road users, safer vehicles, safer roads, and better post-collision response.

As a national charity, we support a UK-wide network of independent driving and mobility centres. Through this network, we help individuals, clinicians, and licensing authorities make informed decisions about fitness to drive, vehicle adaptation, and continued safe mobility.

We particularly welcome the strategy’s clear commitment to evidence-based policy, Lifelong Learning for road users, and inclusive mobility. Driving supports independence, access to work, and social participation, but it also brings responsibilities. The strategy rightly recognises the importance of supporting people to drive safely for as long as possible and of ensuring that decisions about driving are informed, proportionate, and based on individual circumstances.

We also welcome the focus on medical fitness to drive, older drivers, and the role of evidence in supporting licensing decisions, including the proposal to introduce mandatory eyesight testing for drivers over 70. Over the past three years, we have seen a steady rise in demand for older driver assessments, with more than 700 delivered in 2024 alone. Many older drivers do not need to stop driving. Many can continue to drive safely with minor vehicle adaptations, refresher training, or regular reviews. Our fitness-to drive assessments provide reassurance to drivers and families and helps whilst also informing DVLA decision-making where required.

In addition to referrals from health professionals and the DVLA, some police forces across the UK use fitness-to-drive assessments as a constructive alternative to prosecution in cases where a health condition may have contributed to an incident. This allows drivers to be assessed professionally and supported appropriately, while promoting safety for all road users.

As our population ages, more people are driving later in life, and with that comes both opportunity and risk. The strategy reinforces the importance of having high-quality, independent assessment and advice available to people whose driving may be affected by frailty, disability, or a health condition. This is not about removing independence unnecessarily. It is about supporting safe, informed decisions and helping people continue to travel safely and confidently, whether that is through continued driving, adaptation, or alternative mobility options.

As the strategy moves into its delivery phase, we look forward to continuing to work constructively with the Department for Transport, the DVLA, the NHS, the Police, and other partners to support a road safety system that is evidence-led, proportionate, and centred on both safety and independence.

If you have concerns about your own or a family member’s driving and would like advice or to arrange an assessment, you can find your nearest independent driving and mobility centre.