Independence or Road Hazards?
Lina Ko January 18th, 2010
In recent weeks, another roadside pedestrian death has raised questions about whether seniors over 80 should be allowed to drive. Last week in Toronto, a mother pushing her infant son in a stroller was killed by an 83-year-old woman who allegedly ran a red light.
So, when should seniors park it? According to the Toronto Sun, it’s one of the toughest things you can tell an older person to hand over the car keys. Taking a person’s car means taking away their independence. However, as the population ages, this will become a bigger issue. Many baby boomers are passionate about maintaining their independence and they won’t give up the car keys without a fight.
Ministry of Transportation figures actually show that over the five-year period 2002-2006, the average yearly fatal collision involvement rate per 10,000 young drivers (aged 16-19) was 2.15; the rate for seniors (aged 65 and above) was 1.11. According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, it isn’t age that impacts driving so much as it is medical conditions that predominantly affect seniors. Others, with conditions such as dementia or failing eyesight, should not be on the road at all.
I think it’s ultimately a sense of responsibility. Many boomers are now very agile and fit to drive. It will be a long time before they will be asked to give up their car keys when they become seniors. But, as with parental guidance for their children, people around seniors should really advise them to stop driving when the time comes – that maybe sooner for some people and later for others. Independence is important, but not when it is at the expense of pedestrians’ or other motorists’ safety.
