B.C.’s new approach to testing older drivers

[normaM]

Probably wouldn't hurt me to be tested. I never mastered parallel parking ( nor have others it seems) I can do the perfect park witness free, have a small crowd walking around and suddenly


btw, for those don't know I am owned by a Frenchie

[Bsuds]

I never mastered parallel parking

Try parking a 33' trailer behind a 20+' truck.

[stuphoto]

Rather than getting tested every few years I prefer a 1/2 day refresher course with a driving assessment at the end. No matter what age you are.
I just had one through my employeer on Friday, and know that it helped.

For that matter I had my mom do one 6 months ago, or I wasn't going to let her drive.

Since I imagine some people will say I can't afford it, I am thinking that an ICBC rebate may entice some people.
ICBC will then hopefully more than make that back through a reduction in accidents.

[normaM]

tell me you aren't required to Parallel Park. Thats a good idea, was the refresher course very expensive?

[Smurf]

I am getting close to the age and I love driving but If I am not safe then I should not be on the road, period. I welcome the government doing it because I do not like it being the responsibility of family. I hope I would have enough sense to stop if I became a danger but you never know till you get there exactly how you will react. I have a wife and a daughter that would slap me silly but government control would make it much better that family feud.

[stuphoto]

tell me you aren't required to Parallel Park. Thats a good idea, was the refresher course very expensive?

no parallel parking required, however if you wish to try I am sure then will let you.

$100 for an assessment, $300 for the course.
https://kdsc.bc.ca/driver-training-prog ... fessional/
My opinion is ICBC should give us up to a $200 rebate on the course.

My employeer gives us an in house Smith Defensive Driving course.
https://www.drivedifferent.com/

[fluffy]

My Dad took himself off the road a few years back (he was 97 on his last birthday), not so much because he doubted his ability but because the abundance of aggressive/ignorant/rude drivers on the road in Kelowna made him nervous. He hit a point in life where peace of mind is more important than getting somewhere two minutes sooner, I'm proud of him.

[stuphoto]

My Dad took himself off the road a few years back (he was 97 on his last birthday),

I'm proud of him.

I would be proud of him too.

[Urban Cowboy]

everyone should have regular tests.. people get careless start taking chances, many elderly drivers don't have accidents simply because the rest of us are driving defensively.
See how ppl drive here at school zones ( dropping off their precious cargo then u turning and pushing their way in traffic) Or park of at Mission Park shopping mall.

True enough, but add to that also the fact that many of them park their cars for the whole winter, because they are too afraid to drive, so for six months of the year they aren't on the roads. Then they come back out rusty and even less competent, and we all get to play avoid the blue hair.

[Urban Cowboy]

My Dad took himself off the road a few years back (he was 97 on his last birthday), not so much because he doubted his ability but because the abundance of aggressive/ignorant/rude drivers on the road in Kelowna made him nervous. He hit a point in life where peace of mind is more important than getting somewhere two minutes sooner, I'm proud of him.

So you should be.

[normaM]

Wow 97!!!!!! Harvest that DNA.
I will look into that course, thanks for providing the links
Agree that it is difficult to convince someone to stop driving ( I am gently coaxing an elderly friend right now) testing would handle it with out fam involvement.
A problem is that the hubby gets too bad to drive, so wife who hasn't driven since 1957 takes over. Way diff being a passenger than a driver.

[Because_They_Lie]

While the safety of all those on the roads is paramount, having worked with many seniors over the years- many who have not been re-issued a driving licence are now home bound and no longer independent.

With the loss of independence comes depression and the need to find family members, friends (most who have passed on or live in another part of the country) or pay a service to get their groceries, medications, ,doctors appointments etc. which increases the cost of living, especially tough on a fixed income.

I have been witness to a decline in vitality and optimism among these once independent seniors who have lost their so-called "privilege" to drive.

I am on the fence about the issue, it causes problems on both sides.