Canada

Driver training key to better elderly drivers

Elderly drivers may not need to hang up their keys, they may simply need driver education, according to a new study.

Many provinces are examining ways to deal with an aging population, which is coping with a decline in physical abilities and judgement.

Flo Campbell of Thunder Bay decided to go back to the classroom after hearing about a horrific accident involving a senior. Campbell has been driving for 30 years.

"A lady driving in southern Ontario backed out of her driveway and over a person and dragged her down the street. (I thought) gosh, I'd better take a look at my driving skills."

Campbell went back for remedial driving and is now feeling more confident about her skills. She says the most important thing she learned was to slow down.

Michel Bedard says Campbell did the right thing. He just wrapped up a study of elderly drivers. Bedard says age is not a limiting factor for improved driving.

"People have been looking at taking away licenses as a strategy to deal with older drivers who may not be as safe. This would not be the proper strategy."

Ivy Isherwood, a driving instructor, agrees.

"So many senior drivers were taught by their fathers or husbands 30 years ago," points out Isherwood. "Traffic wasn't as heavy, things have changed."

In British Columbia, drivers 80 and over need to take medical exams before they can renew their licences. Ontario reassesses drivers over 80 every two years. Depending on their assessment, they may have to take a road test.

Nova Scotia is considering a discount on car registrations and drivers' licences for people over 65 if they attend a $40 driver safety refresher course.

"We've known for a while there are issues with younger drivers and we've tried to tackle some safety issues. Older drivers, we have not paid enough attention to them at all," says Bedard.

Bedard says education is the key to making seniors more confident behind the wheel and making the roads safer for everyone.