Canada's seniors are full participants in society and should look for ways
to maintain their presence. Many seniors think that driving is key to their
independence, but may find driving a challenge at the same time. For this reason,
several safety programs have created tools to help protect seniors from everyday
driving risks. You can consult the 55 Alive Driver Refresher Course offered
by the Canada Safety Council to learn more on how to update your driving skills.
Independence and mobility are possible at any age, as long as we recognize the
changes that occur with age.
Here are some of the main causes of traffic accidents involving seniors:
- Older drivers might lack practice. Most drivers 65 or older use their
car only a few times a week and for short distances, which can make them more
hesitant behind the wheel than other drivers.
- The aging process does vary from person to person but many seniors have
poorer vision (especially at night) or slower reaction times.
- Seniors may also have serious medical problems that affect their physical
or mental health (chronic lung disease, Alzheimer's disease, etc.) or their
mobility (arthritis, Parkinson's disease, etc.).
Certain prescription or over the counter medications can impair driving abilities.
Just because you are taking medications doesn't mean that you have to stop driving,
but you should check with your doctor. If your medications disrupt your abilities,
don't drive.
To improve your odds of driving safely, here are some tips:
- Have your eyesight and hearing examined regularly, and always wear your
glasses or hearing aid while driving.
- Give yourself time to adjust to new glasses, and have them checked from
time to time.
- Take medications as directed by your doctor, and make sure they don't
have any harmful side-effects like drowsiness or dizzy spells, etc. that might
interfere with your ability to drive, and don't drive if they do.
- Avoid driving when you are pressed for time, distracted, stressed or
emotional.
- Stay physically active. This will help you remain flexible and fit,
which are major assets for driving. For more information about staying fit,
you can visit Canada's Guide to Healthy Eating and Physical Activity.
If you don't feel confident behind the wheel anymore, you can always have your
skills tested. The Canada Safety Council offers a variety of courses in a friendly
and relaxed atmosphere to help Canadians preserve their autonomy and driving
privileges.
Are you an employer? You can offer the Canada Safety Council's Defensive Driving
Course (DDC) as part of your occupational safety plan.
Is it true that I have to re-take my driver's test at a certain age?
Some provinces do require drivers of a certain age to re-take their driver's
test. Ontario, for example, has one of the strictest policies in North America.
Ontario drivers over the age of 80 have to re-take their driver's test every
two years. The re-testing involves an eye examination, a knowledge test and
an information session. Certain drivers may have to take a road test as well.
For information on the current rules in your province, check with your local
ministry of transportation.
Additional Resources:
Senior Drivers in Ontario
The Arthritis Society Self-Management Program
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