Senior Driver
Group Education Curriculum
1. Introduction
Purpose
Welcome to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation’s Group Educational Curriculum for senior drivers. The goals of this curriculum are to:
- Build on your strengths as senior drivers
- Talk about the effects of getting older on driving
- Help you deal with traffic situations of special concern
- Review some rules of the road and traffic signs
- Help you drive safely for as long as possible, and
- Help you decide when it is time to limit or stop driving
Participant booklet
The Booklet (PDF -
950 K)* is yours to keep. It contains important information
from the education session which is good to review at home. It also provides
help to create your own action plan for safe driving.
2. Strengths of Older Drivers
- Judgment – The best judgment comes
with experience. History is full of leaders that made their best contributions
later in life. Many current world leaders are in their 60s and older.
- Experience - Seniors have a wealth of
experience. By the time we reach 80, most of us have been driving for years, on
all kinds of roads and in all kinds of situations.
- Vitality - Seniors are now living longer,
healthier and more active lives.
- Responsible - As a group, seniors are
quite responsible. Seniors have a low rate of drinking and driving.
- Ability to Adapt - Seniors have shown they can adapt to the many changes that have occurred in roads and motor vehicles over the years. Many seniors also make changes in their driving habits, example; choosing not to drive at night, in bad weather or in heavy traffic. This ability to adapt is very important as we experience the effects of getting older.
3. The Effects of Getting Older
Knowing Yourself
We all have different abilities and skills as drivers. All drivers need to be aware of both their strengths and limitations in order to make good decisions (such as when and where to drive).
| The important thing is to know your own level of ability. |
While we age at different rates, we all experience some changes in our bodies as we get older. While many of these changes do not have a dramatic impact on our daily lives in general, they can affect driving.
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Did you know that drivers often must make 8 to 12 decisions every kilometre or half mile? Sometimes, you have less than half a second to make a decision. |
This means that even small age-related changes can make a big difference in driving decisions. Knowing more about how aging affects driving is the first step in keeping you on the road longer.
The following section helps you to think about some of the most important physical changes (vision, hearing, movement and reaction time) that can affect driving ability as we get older.
Vision
Gradual changes in vision as we age may lead to problems:
- Seeing less clearly (especially at night or at dusk and dawn)
- Judging distance
- Being more sensitive to glare (such as rain and light on the windshield)
Your vision is tested when you renew your driver’s licence to make sure it meets driving standards. If you are having any of these problems, see your doctor.
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Remember, you need to turn your head or body to check your blind spot and to see what is around you. |
Medical conditions can also affect vision. By age 75, almost half of us will have early cataracts, and about one in four will have advanced cataract disease. Cataracts are like having a waterfall in front of your eyes, and can seriously affect your ability to drive. The good news is the problem can now be easily corrected.
Other eye disorders that can lead to reduced vision or even blindness are glaucoma and macular degeneration (loss of sharp central vision). Glaucoma, if detected early, can be effectively treated, in most cases. There are new and effective treatments for many people with macular degeneration. Regular eye exams can pick up these problems.
Hearing
By age 65, one-third of us have some hearing loss. Gradual hearing loss increases with age. Medical problems (such as tinnitus or ringing in the ears and infections) can also impair hearing. Regular hearing exams can pick up these problems. The good news is that better hearing aids are being developed all the time.
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Hearing loss affects one’s ability to hear horns, sirens and brakes. You may also have to rely on your vision more to compensate for hearing loss. |
Flexibility, Movement and Strength
As we age, we often have more stiffness and less range of movement in our neck, shoulders, arms and trunk. Flexibility affects our ability to:
- Check your blind spot
- Look for traffic and pedestrians at intersections
- Merge with oncoming traffic
- Yield the right of way, back up and park
Many people develop some arthritis with age. Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, affects the body’s joints causing swelling and pain. Rheumatoid arthritis is less common, but more painful. Both forms of arthritis can restrict movement. Osteoporosis (bone disease) also makes moving more difficult and painful.
Similar to flexibility or movement, strength also tends to decrease with age, especially if people are not physically active.
Arm strength is important for the safe control of your steering wheel, particularly when you have to make quick or sudden movements. Leg strength is important for pressing your acceleration and brake pedals, especially when quick actions are required.
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The good news is flexibility, strength and reaction time can be improved with regular exercise. |
Reaction Time and Concentration
With age, we may also experience gradual changes
in:
- Reaction or response time (slower)
- Concentration (more easily distracted), and
- Coordination (poorer)
Medical problems such as Parkinson’s and stroke can have substantial effects on reaction time, concentration and coordination.
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When you have a choice, it is always a good idea to avoid traffic situations that are fast paced. |
4. The Possible Effects of Drugs on Driving
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty concentrating and staying awake
- Confusion
- Memory lapses
- Difficulty keeping a steady course (staying in the proper lane)
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If you have any of these symptoms, you should not drive. Wait until you feel better, take a taxi or get someone to drive you. If you develop any of these side effects while driving, pull over and rest. Tell your doctor. |
Certain drugs (such as tranquillizers, anti-depressants, sleeping pills and some pain pills) are most likely to cause the above symptoms and affect driving ability. Some antihistamines (for allergies and hay fever) as well as colds and flu remedies can also cause you to become drowsy.
Not only prescription medicines, but products you can buy off the shelf (like "natural" or "herbal" remedies), can have side effects. These over-the-counter drugs can also interact with, or change, the effects of any prescription drugs you are taking.
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Always carefully read the warning labels! If you are not sure, ask the pharmacist. |
Older Adults Need to be Very Careful. Why?
- Older adults tend to take more drugs
- The risk of side effects and interactions increase with the number of drugs taken
- With age, our bodies react differently. It takes longer for the body to break down or get rid of a drug
- This is also true of alcohol. While people tend to drink less alcohol as they get older, it takes fewer drinks to impair our driving. Alcohol, mixed with certain drugs, can be very dangerous
- Other factors, such as medical problems, can alter the body’s response to alcohol and certain drugs
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Discuss the possible effects of each medication you are taking (both prescription and non-prescription) with your doctor. Ask if the drug can have any possible effects on your driving. |
Medication Action List
All older adults should keep an up-to-date list of all medications (both prescription and non-prescription) they are taking. If you do not already have a list, at the end of the Booklet there is a handy table you can cut out (Section 13). Keep a copy of this list with you in your purse or wallet and in the glove compartment of your car.
Take this list when you see your doctor and pharmacist and review it with them. If you have any negative side effects, particularly when starting a new drug, tell your doctor and pharmacist. They may suggest some options (such as taking the medicine at night instead of in the morning). Never stop taking medicine or change the dose without talking to them first.
5. Good Practices to Maintain Driving Fitness
As we grow older we may need to pay closer attention to what is going on around us. Neck and trunk flexibility may make it harder to see things around us. In order to maintain fitness for driving, it is important to:
- Have regular medical, eye and hearing check-ups
- Care for our bodies (eat well, get enough sleep)
- Stay physically active
- Stay mentally active
- Be aware of the effects of drugs and alcohol
Regular check-ups, including review of medications, are necessary to catch and treat any medical problems. Good nutrition, getting enough sleep and staying mentally active (reading, doing crossword puzzles or playing cards) also helps us concentrate while driving.
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Regular exercise will increase your flexibility, strength, balance and coordination. It will help you prevent falls and drive better! |
The good news is that it is never too late to begin exercising and you will notice an immediate difference in how you feel. To get a copy of Canada’s Physical Activity Guide for Older Adults, see Section 12 for further information. Also consider joining an exercise class for older adults at your local community or seniors’ centers. There are many fun classes (such as aquatics, Tai Chi, yoga, dance) for you to choose from.
6. Personal Action Plan
Being aware of our own abilities is key to road safety (our own as well as the safety of passengers and other drivers).
Many people make changes to their driving habits as they get older without giving it much thought. Others, however, fail to notice the changes they are experiencing that affect driving ability. This section gives you tips for dealing with various driving difficulties.
Your instructor will take you through this exercise. When you get home, you should honestly assess your own ability and come up with your Personal Action Plan for safe driving.
- Circle each statement (issue or problem) that applies to you, then,
- Circle the tips below that you find most helpful.
Night Vision and Glare
Reduced night vision can make it more difficult to read
road signs and see people walking or riding bikes.
- Do you find it hard to see driving at night?
- Does glare from the sun or lights of other cars bother you?
- Do you need to slow down to read unfamiliar road signs?
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Tips:
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Side Vision and Flexibility
As we grow older, we may need to pay closer attention to what is
going on around us. Neck and trunk flexibility may make it harder to see things
around us.
- Do you find it hard to turn to check your blind spot?
- Are you sometimes surprised by cars that appear beside you?
- Do you sometimes not notice people walking or riding on bikes at intersections?
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Tips:
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Judging and Reacting
Difficulty judging distance and slower reaction times can make it harder to deal with fast moving traffic.
- Do you find it hard to pull out in heavy traffic?
- Do you find it hard to judge the distance and speed of other cars?
- Do you find things happen too quickly for you to make good driving decisions?
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Tips:
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Concentration
Short lapses in attention can lead to missing important
information like lights, stop signs and traffic conditions.
- Do you get lost while driving?
- Do you sometimes change lanes or merge without looking?
- Do you tend to drive much faster or slower than other traffic?
- Are you distracted or does your attention wander while driving?
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Tips:
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Other Useful Tips
During the class discussion, your group may have come up with other tips. Write down those you feel are most useful.
It is important to keep this Personal Action Plan for safe driving up-to-date. As you get older, you will experience more changes. You need to continue to be aware of what you can do to help yourself drive safely.
The more difficulties that apply to you, the more important it is that you take a good look at your driving and consider talking with your doctor, family and friends.
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It is up to all drivers to make changes to improve their driving. |
7. The Safety Driving Cycle
Safe Driving Cycle
Look (Scan)
Looking (or scanning) means paying attention to
everything around you, including what other drivers are doing. You should
always be aware of what is happening in front, behind and to both sides of your
vehicle. Remember to keep your eyes focused on the road some distance ahead. As
we age, we tend to focus on the road just in front of us. The sooner we see or
hear a problem, the more time we have to react. Examples to watch for include;
brake lights of the car in front of you, an emergency vehicle in the
intersection ahead, a car in front of you turning onto the road, a honking
horn, or road signs and traffic lights.
Think (Decide)
Now that you are fully aware of what is
happening on the road, you now need to interpret these events and decide how
you should respond based on what you see and hear. For instance: Why did the
car in front of you put on their brake lights? Do you also need to slow down?
How close is the car behind you? Is that a siren you hear? Where is it coming
from?
Act
Finally, you need to act. For instance, when you see an
intersection ahead with a stop sign, you will need to check your rear view
mirror, gently apply the brakes and slowly come to a complete stop a safe
distance behind the car in front of you.
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Taking a proactive approach to driving can make a real difference. |
8. High Risk Situations
Young drivers have the highest number of collisions. Seniors aged 80 and over have the second highest rate based on amount of driving.
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Because seniors are more fragile, they are more likely to be injured or die as the result of a motor vehicle collision. |
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Seniors also tend to be more involved in certain types of collisions. By being aware, you can develop strategies for avoiding or dealing with these situations. |
Areas of special concern include:
- Backing up
- Intersections
- Turning (particularly left turns)
- Yielding (right-of-way)
- Following distance
- Entering and exiting roadways, merging
- Maintaining lane position and speed
- Reading road signs
- Paying attention to traffic lights and stop signs
- Responding to fast paced situations
While driving can be challenging at times, the good news is that there is a lot that you can do to ensure your own safety and the safety of others while still enjoying the benefits of driving. In addition to the tips already covered, knowing the rules of the road is key to driving safety.
The examples below are taken from the Official Driver’s Handbook published by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. This is the handbook that you studied to take your written test.
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Keep your copy of the Official Driver’s Handbook handy. It contains many more useful tips for safe driving than can be covered here. |
Backing Up
When backing up (or into a parking space) remember to:
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Intersections
Slow down as you approach. Look for traffic, yield signs, stop signs, traffic lights, cyclists and pedestrians.
There are two main types of intersections: controlled and uncontrolled. Controlled intersections have traffic lights, yield signs or stop signs. On a green light, drive through the intersection at a steady speed. If the light has been green for some time, be prepared to stop. If the road ahead of the intersection is blocked with traffic, remember to stop before entering the intersection so that you will not block traffic if the light changes.
At uncontrolled intersections all cars must stop. If two cars approach the intersection at the same time, the car to the right goes first.
Right Turns
The proper way to make a right turn includes:
- Start and end in the right hand lane
- Signal well in advance
- Look ahead, then left and right
- Then look to the left again
- Check your right side blind spot
- Make the turn
Left Turns
The proper way to make a left turn includes:
- Signal well in advance
- Move into the left-hand lane, when clear
- Look ahead, left, right and left again
- Check your blind spot
- Make the turn when the way is clear
- If making the turn from a stop, keep your wheels pointed straight until ready to make the turn
- When the turn is complete, move back into the right lane when it is safe to do so
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Keep in mind that you can sometimes make three right turns (going around the block in the same direction) rather than a left turn. |
Following Distance
The "2 second rule" helps you determine a
safe following distance in ideal driving conditions. Due to slower reaction
time, older drivers should use the "3 second rule".
- Pick a marker on the road ahead, such as a
road sign or telephone pole
- When the rear of the vehicle ahead passes the
marker, count "one thousand and one, one thousand and two and one thousand and
three"
- When the front of your car reaches the marker, stop counting
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If you reach the marker before you count to "one thousand and three," you are following too closely. In poorer weather or road conditions, allow more time (distance) for safe stopping. |
Merging Into Traffic
The correct way to merge into traffic includes:
- Check your blind spot when you are on the
entrance ramp
- As you enter the acceleration lane, signal,
increase your speed to match the speed of the other vehicles
- Merge smoothly
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If you find freeways stressful and the speed too fast, use less busy streets with lower speeds to get where you want to go. Plan ahead. |
9. The Importance of Signs
In addition to the rules of the road, you need to pay close attention to road signs. Road signs and traffic lights tell you what to do (or not to do) and when. You can be charged for failure to follow road signs and traffic lights. If you miss these signs or do not know what they mean, it could be also be very dangerous for you, other drivers and pedestrians. You need to be familiar with these signs. When you are going 60 kilometres an hour, you do not have time to look at your Driver’s Handbook. Some types of signs are reviewed below.
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Review your Official Driver’s Handbook regularly to be familiar with rules of the road and all road signs. |
Regulatory Signs
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| Do not turn left at this intersection | Do not enter this road | Traffic may only travel in one direction | Do not turn right on red light |
Regulatory signs normally have a white background with black markings. They may have additional colours of red or green. They give specific directions about what actions must be taken and what is permitted and what is not.
Warning Signs
Lane ahead is closed for road work. Obey the speed limit and merge with traffic in the open lane. |
The road ahead is split into two separate roads by a median. Keep to the right-hand road. Each road carries one-way traffic. |
Traffic Lights Ahead. Slow down. |
Most warning signs are yellow in colour and alert us to changes in driving conditions that require particular attention.
Other Signs
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Examples of other types of signs include yield, railway crossing and stop sign ahead, as well as construction, slow moving vehicle and directional signs, etc. It is critical that we pay attention to what signs are telling us to assist in driving safely.
New Law - Yielding to
Buses
It is always courteous to yield to buses. It is also now the law to yield the right of way to a transit bus, with this sign on the back, that is signaling to re-enter your lane from a bus bay.
This sign appears on the back of a bus, just above the left-hand signal light.
New Law - Emergency Vehicles
When a police, fire ambulance or other emergency vehicle is approaching from either direction, with lights flashing or siren on, motorists are required to pull over to the right and stop. Motorists must also yield to an emergency vehicle at intersections.
A new law requires motorists, when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle with its red lights flashing (in the same direction of travel in a lane or shoulder), to slow down and proceed with caution. If the road has two of more lanes in the same direction, the motorist must move over into the other lane if this can be done safely.
10. Alternatives to Driving
A Big Decision
While the tips in the booklet may help improve your driving safety and comfort, there comes a time when we all must consider limiting our driving or retiring from driving. It’s the responsible thing to do.
Often, this is not an easy decision. We may use our car for shopping, banking, appointments as well as social and recreation activities. We do not want to burden others and value the independence driving gives us.
Some people may deny the fact that they are no longer safe drivers. Others may feel angry or depressed. While these feelings are normal, it is good to know that other seniors have limited their driving or have retired from driving completely successfully by adapting their lifestyle and you can too.
Things To Watch For
Many people gradually reduce their driving, until one day they simply stop. Others have more trouble deciding when it is time to limit their driving. Here are some warning signs to alert you to the fact that you may no longer be a safe driver and may need to consider alternatives to driving:
- Am I nervous behind the wheel?
- Do other drivers frequently honk at me?
- Have I had a number of fender benders and near misses?
- Do my family or friends worry about my driving?
- Do my children trust me to drive in the car?
- Have I ever become lost when driving or forgotten where I was going?
Alternatives
There are many
alternatives to driving. Find out what is available in your area and start
trying these options.
- Buses, taxis and other forms of public transit
- Having friends and family members drive you
- Keeping a vehicle that others drive for you
- Van/bus pick-up scheduled and on demand from senior residences and other groups
- Taxi vouchers
- Walking
- Some volunteer groups offer free rides to seniors (See: More Information)
Cost
One factor that keeps many of us from using taxis is cost. Many taxi companies offer a chit (voucher) system for frequent users which lowers the cost. While there is no question that taxi fares can add up, have you thought about how much it costs you to use your car? It is worth comparing such costs particularly if you drive mostly in your local neighborhood to shop, bank, attend church, visit friends and so on.
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The cost of operating a car includes depreciation, maintenance, and insurance as well as gas. A very conservative estimate of annual costs is:
This means that you could spend $92 on taxis a week. |
Note that this estimate does not include the investment income on the original cost of the car over its lifetime.
Costs for using public transportation, of course, are much lower.
Plan Ahead
Instead of driving all the time, try using buses, taxis or sharing rides. And, if you decide to move from your house into an apartment, condominium or senior’s residence, try to pick one that is close to public transit or offers a shuttle service.
Walking
Walking is a great way to cut down on driving, reduce air pollution and get some exercise to boot. As we age, we tend to walk slower than we used to. It often takes us longer to cross an intersection as a pedestrian or to get out of harms way.
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Remember to leave lots of time to cross at the light and to stand well back of the curb at intersections. |
Seek Advice
Plan ahead for the time when you will need to cut back, and eventually stop driving. Talk to family, friends and your doctor. Together, they can help you decide on the extent of driving that is right for you.
11. Closing Reminders
- Recognize your strengths and weaknesses
- Have regular check-ups
- Be careful with medications
- Manage your driving
- Be familiar with traffic rules and signs
- Consider alternatives to driving
- Share responsibility for road safety
12. More Information
- To answer questions about your driver's licence,
call the Ministry of Transportation:
- Toll free 1-800-387-3445
- 416-235-2999
- To find more information on senior driver safety
or other senior driver education programs:
- Canada Safety Council** or phone (613) 739-1535
- Canadian Automobile Association** or phone (613) 247-0117
- To find out how to be more active, request a free
Physical Activity Guide for Older Adults from Health Canada
- Toll-free 1-888-334-9769
- Public Health Agency of Canada: Canada's Physical Activity Guide**
- To find out if your area has special
transportation services for seniors, call Seniors' INFOline
- Toll-free: 1-888-910-1999
- In Toronto: 416-314-7511
- GO Transit runs trains and buses linking Toronto
with other communities. Seniors 65 and over travel for half fare. All GO trains
have wheel chair ramps and many GO buses "kneel" to make it easier for everyone
to board. For GO Transit route and schedules phone:
- Toll-free: 1-888-438-6646
- In Toronto: 416-869-3200
- To answer questions about your health concerns,
call Telehealth, a free Ontario Government service, available 7 days a week, 24
hours a day:
- 1-866-797-0000
13. Individual Notes
My Medication Action List
| Medication | Date Started | Effect on Driving |
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See also:
- Publications: Official Driver’s Handbook
- Driver's Handbook Online
- Senior Drivers in Ontario - FAQ
- Renewing Your Licence: Drivers 80 Years and Over
- How's Your Driving? Safe Driving for Seniors
- Senior Driver: Driving Safety Cycle
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