My husband is 69 and I am 64 and there is nothing wrong with our driving. As a matter of fact I would rather drive with him than a teenager.and if they decide to make seniors take yearly driving tests then that should apply also to the younger generation and also they should put the driving age up to 18. GET RID OF CELL PHONES and more people will be better drivers.
Brighton, ON
More people than just seniors should be tested more often. I cannot believe how many people don't use signal lights. It is so frustrating. I thought people were better in the city than small towns for signalling - not so. Drivers of all ages - please show your intention to turn and PLEASE use your signal lights.
Suzanne
In answer to "Should seniors be given yearly driving tests?" my answer is 'No'. If the question had been "Should seniors with bad driving records be given yearly driving tests?" my answer would have been 'Yes'. In cases where the senior has 6 or more demerit points, they should be given a driving test at least every two years until such time as they have No Demerit Points.
Greg Jones - Cambridge, Ontario
Every licensed driver should have to be retested every few years. My former employer held mandatory defensive driving training every 3 years, and it's alarming when you realize how sloppy and complacent you can become in such a short period of time.
Lauren - Waterloo, ON
A senior who had failing eyesight killed my sister-in-law as she was crossing the road. He stepped on the gas. Yes, when one's physical and/or mental abilities are failing, you should be tested.
Maureen
Let's be fair about this. What age group causes the most death and destruction on our roads? I bet it isn't 65 and over! So, how about we test all the 18 to 25 year old males yearly! Or would that be discrimination?
Anne - Hanna, Alberta
I don't believe that seniors should be given yearly driver's tests. I do believe that at a certain age they should have to pass a medical examination before their driver's licence is renewed. Most of senior accidents are due to a health impairment as opposed to new drivers who are involved in far more accidents because of their lack of experience and bad judgement! If the "Young Offenders Act" protects our young people 18 and under, then they shouldn't be allowed to get a licence until they are over 18 as well.
Don - Moose Jaw Sk.
There also should be testing for drivers who are between the ages of 16 and 25 that should be taking yearly driving tests as well. Accidents are more prevalent in this age group.
Alma Wilson
Why just seniors? If that is the case then test everyone that holds a drivers licence..I am a senior with a perfect driving record since I was 16. No tickets, for driving or parking etc..NONE.I will have the common sense to stop driving when the time comes. Why aim this survey at just seniors, when there are some really bad drivers out there, of all ages.
Elsie
Seniors Tested, well a lot of other people should be tested yearly to.
Glenn - Nepean, Ontario
Over 15 years ago my grand mother would drive on the rong side of the ride and while at a stop, would take her foot of the break for no reason and bump the car in the front...SO YES, i do think they should be tested, because 15 years later, she still drives a car. YIKES!
Anonymous - Qu�bec
Try and have a seniors' licence pulled who should not be driving. Many doctors hesitate at this action because you take away a degree of independence but what about the safety of others on the road. Have heard it over and over "I've been driving for over 50 yrs. never been in an accident'. But what about the ones you caused?
Pat Weldon Quesnel B.C.
More accidents and deaths have been caused by younger drivers. I think that seniors should be getting a medical exam yearly to determine their mental mindset. As for retesting, that's ridiculous. Let them have their dignity. I am not a senior or even very close to being there and I wouldn't want to have to do that yearly.
Ang - Morden, MB
If senior's have to take a driving test then make the test appropriate for seniors. Their cognitive functioning should be tested including judgement , insight, memory, reaction time. The test should weed out the unsafe senior drivers whether they think they are capable or not.
T. LeBlanc
Now here's another way to waste more money! Over 4 million Canadians are over age 65.i.e. 1 in 7 in the population. So....4 million written and 4 million skills tests every year x 17 years more life expectancy for women and x12 years for men. That makes 232 million tests! On a per person basis, seniors have fewer than the average number of collisions. Doctors are obliged to submit names of patients they believe are unsafe to drive. Written tests are now given at age 80. If you wish to make our roads safer, do more follow up with repeat speeding and drunk offenders...
submitted by: Janet Fowler. Guelph.
Every year seem a little excessive maybe every 5 years. Since most seniors are on Fixed income Any frequent tests should be at Government expence
Bill(64 years old)Kitimat
I dont know if its JUST Saskatoon, but I think people in general are just handed a drivers licence, and told "good luck". Perhaps its a ploy from auto insurance companies. I admit, I've had my share of speeding tickets, but I've grown up, that I can't afford the fines anymore! I've never been a reckless driver, but I feel like I'm putting my life on the line every day I drive to work. Not only seniors, but perhaps everyone should have to take a yearly driving exam to prove they are remotely proficient and not a hazzard. Even just a reminder of road rules would help! Send it out with your licence renewal letter!
tamara white - saskatoon
In the Maritimes, many of the seniors driving today have never had a driver's test in the first place. Dropping 50 cents on the local police detachment's counter was all that was required to get a license. Their skills and knowledge of the rules of the road were never tested.For a while in our town a senior sporting an oxygen tank was seen driving around. A bomb looking to blow. Your doctor commentator maintained the Hippocratic position of their profession. If doctors are supposed to save lives and in today's society prevent deaths, why is it so difficult to report the individuals to the Motor Vehicle Office? After that it becomes the role of Motor Vehicle Office to determine the suitability of the individual. Let the doctors work at improving health care delivery and leave the politics to others. He only has to read the papers and observe what is going on around the communities. Many of these senior accidents are now going unreported in the media. Is it because it is becoming too common place, or are senior groups screaming discrimination? Governments first role is to maintain safe roads, period!
Don Bishop - Amherst NS
Yes they should have to go for a written and practical test annually. As we age our reflex times and sight deteriorate, therefore it seems prudent that there should be safeguards in place for the general public as well as for senior drivers. The general safety of the public should superceed the driving privileges of an individual. I would not want to lose a loved one to a tragic situation that could have been prevented.
Hilary - North Bay
Perhaps after a certain age say 70, seniors should perform a driving test. I know a person that would likely be considered to have moderate dementia that still drives from time to time. His spouse says that after a lifetime of driving, to take this privilege away would be a loss of independence for him. I just wonder though about the possible young crash victim whether it be a pedestrian or someone in another vehicle that ends up in a wheel chair paralysed for life and their loss of independence.
Jesse Pyke - North Bay, ON
Yes, I agree that seniors over the age of 80 SHOULD have to take a road driving test, not just a written test. My reasoning is that some seniors have a hard time with writing, but are very competent drivers. As far as I am concerned, the written test doesn't do anything remotely connected with the actual driving.
B. Marcotte
I feel that the Ministry is negligent by not having our senior drivers take a driven test to renew license. Although they have been driving for many years, their response time, cognitive awareness, and just the plain changing times on our roads are different from when they started driving. . We need to keep them safe, by making sure that they can handle today's challenges on our roads. .
Cheryl - Sudbury
Yes; I feel it would show everyone the level of concern for safety on our streets and highways.
Chris - Hanover
Should seniors be given yearly written and driving tests?
Yes 60% No 40%
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