AN 84-year-old man has proved that age is no barrier to good driving after clocking up his eighth success in a safety assessment.

John Turner, of Consett, has completed Durham County Council’s Safer Driving with Age (Sage) assessment for the fifth year in a row, and the eighth time in the last decade.

Sage is a driving assessment aimed at residents of County Durham and Darlington who are aged 55 and over and is delivered by the council’s road safety team.

Over 55s apply to have a specially-trained driving instructor visit them at a convenient place and time.

They drive their own car during the 40-minute assessment, around roads they are familiar with and use regularly.

At the end of the session, the assessor will talk through the drive and highlight good practice and identify any areas for improvement.

Mr Turner said: “My wife and I used to share the driving but she gave up a few years ago so I do it all now.

“Completing the Sage assessment each year reassures her that I’m still a safe driver."