With Canada’s baby-boomer generation entering their senior years, the number of senior drivers on the road will continue to grow.
A recent incident involving an 82-year-old man who drove his car into the ocean at the sea walk has raised the issue of how often drivers should be re-tested for safety.
While age is not necessarily an indicator of driving ability, declining health and eyesight do play a key role in driver fitness.
In BC, when someone reaches the age of 80 years old, drivers must be assessed by their doctors every two years and submit the medical report to RoadSafetyBC.
Powell River RCMP constable Tim Kenning said it is sometimes a hard conversation to have, but a necessary one, if individuals are concerned about the driving fitness of an older family member.
Ultimately, he said, it is up to the driver to assess their abilities between mandatory testing.
“Drive with caution and be aware,” he said, but “if you’re uncomfortable with driving, maybe it’s time to think about if you should be driving. That’s the most important question to ask yourself.”
According to provincial government information on seniors driving, “cognitive impairment with respect to driving represents a growing public safety issue as the population ages. It’s imperative that drivers who show signs of cognitive decline are assessed to ensure they are fit to drive.”
That medical check will assess “the severity, progression, treatment or effects of a medical condition affecting a driver’s fitness.”
Medical examination may also be required if there is a reliable report of a potentially dangerous condition from a concerned family member, police officer or medical professional.
