Trip down memory lane just the ticket for Glasgow's older pedestrians

Hundreds of older people in Glasgow enjoyed a nostalgic trip down memory lane during the month of August as part of a road safety awareness campaign.

Elderly groups from across the city were invited to participate in a week-long awareness campaign which took them back in time.

Glasgow City Council's Road Safety Unit organised the event in a bid to raise awareness of the changes in traffic over the years.

Groups from across the city were transported in a 1950s' vintage double decker bus to the Museum of Transport where they were given a guided tour of the Glasgow Trams by a costume clad clippie. A quick road safety quiz, to reinforce modern day traffic situations, will bring them back to the 21st century.

Councillor Ruth Simpson, Executive Member for Land and Environmental Services, said: "We are determined to make every effort to reduce the number of elderly people injured on our roads today.  We have already exceeded the Government target for reducing road accidents by 2010. However the number of road crashes involving elderly pedestrians and drivers remains significant. We really want to see improvements here.

"Events such as this highlight the importance of raising awareness and understanding of road safety issues for our more senior citizens in a light hearted and entertaining way.

"It also gives us an opportunity to talk about the different types of safer crossing facilities that have been installed on our streets across the city to assist pedestrians crossing busy roads."

The event which involved the guests being whisked off to a recreated,   cobbled street which houses a cinema complex. They were shown a film of Glasgow in the 1950's, which gave an over view of the people, trade, culture and transport in use at the time.

The Council worked closely with other agencies, such as Fire & Rescue and ASDA Parkhead, to make this experience memorable for our elderly pedestrians.

Everyone who attended was given a 'goodie bag' including important safety leaflets, reinforcing safer crossing places, visibility etc. On leaving the museum each visitors  also received a reflective/fluorescent shopping bag to enhance their visibility particularly during the winter months.