In The Drivers Seat

Now that I’ve gotten your attention I’d like to talk about an awesome event I recently took part in called In The Drivers Seat. As you might have guessed it’s an event where driving instructors such as myself take visually impaired people on a once in a lifetime trip around a racetrack.

What you might not know is that the Lions Club of Warrandyte have been running this brilliant event for almost 20 years. Groups such as the Vintage Driver’s Club, the Ulysses Motorcycle Club, and the ’49-’59 Ford Customline Club all contribute alongside my fellow instructors.

For the visually impaired this event is a great chance to do something they normally wouldn’t dream of doing. And each of them has their own story and background – for some who have never had the vision that we take for granted it’s a chance to try something completely new and for others who have lost their vision it’s a chance to relive something they have enjoyed in the past – driving.

These drivers will never be able to drive on public roads. So for them it’s a once in a lifetime experience which the rest of us take for granted.

Regardless of whether our drivers are hurtling down the main straight at 100 km/hr or being more cautious, their enthusiasm is contagious and the enjoyment they get out of it is addictive, that’s why I try and attend every year.

And both drivers and instructors alike both take something positive from the day. These drivers will never be able to drive on public roads. So for them it’s a once in a lifetime experience and personally, the event sharpens my ability to teach regular drivers at a high level, if I can help a visually impaired driver then anything is possible! But most of all I work with some great people who put this event on and get to see people having the time of their lives – and there’s nothing more rewarding than that.

To find out more about the event visit the Lions Club of Warrendyte to find out more.