(Photo credit: mokra/SXC)
In April, Ontario launched new testing to evaluate whether seniors over the age of 80 should be able to continue holding onto their license.
The renewal program includes: a vision test, a driver record review, a modified in-class group education session and two in-class screening exercises which will evaluate a senior’s cognitive abilities. For seniors in their 80’s, it costs them $32 to renew their license and they must renew their license every two years.
Ontario is the only province which includes an education portion in the renewal process and in 2012, there were 117,237 attendees.
But these change have led to an outcry from seniors. The Canadian Association of Retired Persons told the Globe and Mail that this change in tests is age discrimination and it doesn’t properly test a senior’s cognitive abilities.
Seniors over the age of 65 drove the least kilometres, but they were involved in 17 per cent of deadly traffic crashes in 2009, says Statistics Canada. A part from young male drivers, seniors had the highest accident rate per kilometres compared to other demographics. Also, they were more likely to die in a collision.
In 2009, 3.25 million seniors, which is 75 per cent of Canada’s senior population, had a driver’s license. Vehicles can be a great asset in helping seniors travel from one place to another, but there are certain aspects to consider to ensure that they’re operating a vehicle safely. Vision, cognitive awareness, hearing and mobility are all necessary to safely spotting pedestrians or reacting to an unexpected situation.
In Ontario, doctors must report a senior they think is unable to continue driving, but many seniors may not want to give up driving, especially since many of them live in areas where cars are the main source of transportation. Since there is a correlation between a senior’s primary transportation and their participation in social activities, says Statistics Canada, giving up a car can mean a lot more to a senior than reaching a different destination.
If you know a loved one who may have diminishing cognitive abilities, whether it’s an illness such as dementia, worsening vision or issues moving their hands, it may be time to suggest them to give up their license. There are other public transportation options, such as disabled vehicle buses, to assist with transportation or maybe even moving into a long-term care facility may help. It’s important to truthfully evaluate their driving abilities since it affects their safety and the safety of others.
While there is technology being developed to assist with safer driving, it remains the driver’s responsibility to operate a vehicle safely.
Motor vehicle accidents happen and accident benefits are available to anyone involved in a motor vehicle accident regardless of who caused the accident. The personal injury and accident lawyers at Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers have been dealing with all accident related issues throughout Ontario for over 45 years. We know how to get you the compensation that you deserve and get your life back in order after being in a car accident. Call us at 416-920-4242, set up a free consultation, and come speak with us.
Greg Neinstein
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