In a world where we are all living longer, a topic that keeps being discussed is whether there should be stricter measures placed on senior drivers. The impression of a white-haired head peering over a steering wheel and causing havoc on the roads that is perpetuated by the media has led to a general consensus that the older you are, the worse you drive.
This impression is exacerbated by studies like this…
“Data from Transport Canada shows that more seniors have died in traffic fatalities than any other age group across Canada, from 2000 to 2015.
Over that 16-year time span, seniors accounted for an average of 447 deaths per year. The next closest group, people aged 25 to 34, accounted for an annual average of 379 traffic fatalities.”
But are seniors as much of a hazard as we think?
Studies like this demand closer scrutiny than the initial conclusion that traffic fatalities means poor driving skill. If you look at accident rates in drivers, you find that younger drivers are in the majority. You must also consider that people in the 65+ range (the range the study refers to as ‘senior’) are less likely to survive a major trauma than younger people.
Put simply, the fatality rate may be higher because older passengers and drivers are less likely to survive a road accident itself. This unfortunate fact of life doesn’t actually say anything about one’s driving skills.
The Canadian research team, Candrive, actually did assess the driving skills of senior drivers. Between 2009 and 2016, the team tracked 928 drivers aged 70 and older between 2009 and 2016. Participants lived in seven cities across Canada: Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, Hamilton, Thunder Bay, Winnipeg and Victoria. Their goal was to learn more about their abilities on the road.
The results were very positive. The study found that the vast majority of the drivers were considered “very safe”.
In fact, rather than being in denial about their driving ability, many senior drivers modified their driving habits in order to continue driving with confidence. This included less nighttime driving, giving the car more care in winter to ensure safe performance and choosing to drive at less busy times.
This study presents a much more positive impression of senior drivers. However, the risk of traffic fatalities does make the road a dangerous place for senior drivers.
Is there more we can be doing to support seniors on the road?
At the moment, Canada doesn’t have a national standardized test to gauge whether or not a driver has the cognitive faculties to be behind the wheel. In fact, there aren’t even standardized requirements for seniors driving between provinces.
Every province has different requirements and expectations for seniors and the rules governing driving can frequently change.
Alberta British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec require license renewals for 80-year-old drivers, with 2 years renewals thereafter. New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, the Northwest Territories, and Yukon require regular renewals from age 65.
Manitoba, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan have a more individualist approach based on a person’s fitness to drive, with renewals every 5 years.
Some provinces require medical examinations, and others don’t. So, where you live will determine how often you need to renew your licence.
The problem with this disparate system is that despite medical examinations, which focus on physical ability, it’s very hard to judge mental acuity and how it affects driving ability.
There have been a few experimental tests being done in this area, but they are far from becoming the new standard examination.
Retaining independence
Coming to face your limitations is a sensitive subject that comes at a time that is unique to all of us, depending on our circumstances. When it comes to driving, the first time this is raised is often from family members, no doubt prompted by the popular impression that senior drivers are bad drivers.
Insurance company State Farm Canada conducted a survey in 2016 that asked 1,017 respondents how their family members reacted when they approached them about giving up their license.
78% of respondents said they faced some form of pushback from their family member. The report also asked 507 senior drivers what would make them consider giving up their license.
An overwhelming 94% said that advice from a medical professional would prompt them to consider getting off the road. Family and friends coming in at 27%, a collision at 14%, and a ticket at just 4%. This highlights the need for more trusted, personal assessments with regard to senior health and wellbeing. The demand for this will only increase as we continue to live longer lives.
To further meet the need for seniors who are unable to drive, communities need to continue developing ways to support people. This includes public transport accessibility, specialized transport and similar programs designed to help seniors retain independence when the time comes to hang up the driving gloves.
As a society, we must not neglect the mobility for seniors. There are more than 3.5 million drivers over the age of 65 in Canada and that number is on the rise. We need to develop effective and compassionate programs to support senior drivers and assist those who are no longer able to retain a comparable level of mobility.
Keith Michaels Specialist Insurers
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