With age does come wisdom but there are a host of other potential issues as well, some of which can affect one's ability to operate a motor vehicle safely.
In light of that fact, the Saskatchewan Safety Council, CAA Saskatchewan and SGI are joining together to help seniors stay safe behind the wheel.
CAA has announced it has launched a new multimedia web tool, seniorsdriving.caa.ca, which helps seniors and their loved ones assess driving skills, learn more about changing abilities, and, if needed, modify driving habits.
The Saskatchewan Safety Council also offers the 55 Alive Mature Drivers course, sponsored by SGI and CAA Saskatchewan.
"Awareness of age-related changes that affect driving abilities is an important step in keeping ourselves and our families safe on the road," says Mindy Calder, Communications and Events Coordinatorfor the Saskatchewan Safety Council. Seniorsdriving.caa.ca contains assessment tools to pinpoint areas of improvement, interactive infographics that show common physical changes that affect driving, and videos with tips and reminders for managing challenging driving conditions. Half of seniors have already taken at least one step to adjust their driving habits, such as reducing or eliminating driving at night, but CAA Saskatchewan research shows there is need for more information regarding age related changes that affect driving.
The Saskatchewan Safety Council also offers the 55 Alive Mature Drivers course free of charge to seniors with the help of SGI and CAA. The six hour course covers self-evaluation of current driving knowledge and habits, the aging process and how it affects driving, compensating for vision and hearing problems, adapting to hazardous road and weather conditions, understanding your vehicle, and safe driving when using medication. There is no examination for those who take the course, and their license is not affected.
CAA research shows that nearly half (47 per cent) of Canadians are concerned about the safety of an aging family member on the road. The Saskatchewan Safety Council, CAA Saskatchewan and SGI say that seniorsdriving.caa.ca and the 55 Alive Mature Drivers course are both important tools to help keep our aging family members and friends safe on the road.
