A suggestion by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) last week that provinces start issuing restricted graduated licences for senior drivers isn't getting great reviews in the district.Sundre's Sandy Sommerville, 89, and his wife Meiriona, 86, who both still drive, say the current requirement that seniors get a physician's okay to drive makes graduated licences unnecessary.“You have to have the doctor's medical okay and that works,” said Sandy. “I don't think they need graduated licences. It would only create problems for people who are alone and need to get around. It would make it harder on people and that would not be fair. It's enough to have the doctor's permission.”“If you ask the doctor and he or she says it's okay, that should be enough,” says Meiriona. “I think that works well.”Sundre town councillor and former Wild Rose MP Myron Thompson, 75, concurs with the Sommervilles.“I'm satisfied with what they do with me,” said Thompson. “I had to got through a medical and they gave me a one year licence at first and then a four year licence. I don't see anything wrong with that system. There's no need for graduated licences for seniors.”The Canadian Medical Association, which represents physicians in every province, published an editorial in its ‘Journal' magazine calling for the adoption of restricted licences for seniors similar to those given to young drivers, which include restrictions on night driving, alcohol consumption, and driving on high-speed roadways.The association did not suggest a specific age for seniors to require graduated licences.“The relation between advanced ages and driving risk is complex and influenced by individual contributing factors,” the association said. “Nevertheless, some seniors keep driving despite substantial physical and mental deterioration that makes them medically unfit to drive.“For example, about one in four Canadians over 65 with dementia retain a driver's licence, and about one in five continue to drive regularly. Such statistics have aroused public concerns and prompted government action because dangerous driving imposes risks to others.”Many senior drivers continue to operate motor vehicles despite physical and mental deterioration that comes with aging, the association said, noting that seniors are more likely than any other age group to die in motor vehicle accidents – of 2,209 people killed in car accidents in 2009, 389 were age 65 or older.Although many seniors are skilled drivers, the association says the aging of the general population has increased the overall risk of having medically unfit elderly drivers on the roads.As well, advances in technology, such as power steering, brakes and seats, has made it easier for seniors with less physical capability to operate cars and trucks, the association said.Graduated licences for young drivers has lead to safer roads, something that could also work for seniors, the association said.“Graduated licences work to keep young driver safe. Let's extend the same benefits to seniors. Just like graduated licences for young drivers, the principle is to prevent trauma rather than to await a series of incidents before taking any action.“The optimal transition time would be debatable, but might be based on specific age, retirement or other benchmarks.”Didsbury RCMP Cpl. Warren Wright says he believes the current system where seniors' ability to drive is periodically checked and approved by physicians works well.He called on seniors to be “proactive” when it comes to deciding whether they are safe to drive, making the decision to give up their licences if and when necessary.Sundre RCMP Sgt. Percy Leipnitz said he would like to see more details of any plan for graduated licences for seniors before coming out for or against.“Everybody is different and every case is different, whether you are a senior or some other age person,” said Leipnitz. “Everybody's ability to drive is different. You would have to really look at the proposal to see what merits it has.”
