Assessing an older driver

Mobility Mobility on the roadsRoad Safety

Published on June 12, 2018

5 mins reading time

When oversights and bad habits become the norm in driving, it’s time to reassess the driver and their knowledge of road safety. We tell you how.

Driving assessment

An assessment can help a senior—or their loved ones—determine if they are still fit to drive. Use the points below to identify skills that need improvement, bad habits that need correcting, and certain age-related limitations. Input from friends, neighbours, and even police officers can be valuable as well.

“You tell yourself: I know what I’m doing. But that might not be the case. You think you’re good, but maybe you’re not as good as you should be.”

— M. Amyot

Obeying the Highway Safety Code

Not buckling up

Tendency to blow through stop signs and red lights

Slow reaction time to emergency vehicle sirens and flashing lights

Tendency to weave between or straddle lanes or change lanes without signalling

Too many (two or more) tickets or even warnings in the last two years

Signs of aging

Difficulty working the pedals

Inability to perform certain manoeuvres

Difficulty turning the head to check blind spots

Difficulty seeing cyclists, pedestrians, and other vehicles, especially at night

Sharing the road

Tendency to get honked at by other motorists

Being involved in two or more accidents in the last two years

Signs of compromised driving abilities

Tendency to park unusually far from their destination

Getting lost or disoriented, even in familiar places

Need to be reminded of directions

If one or more of these behaviours have been observed, it’s time to take appropriate action. The solution may be quite simple—sometimes an eye exam, check-up, regular exercise program, refresher course, or vehicle adaptation is all that’s needed. If that’s not enough, it’s probably time they change their habits (e.g., stop driving after dark or during rush hour) or try new modes of transportation.

“I haven’t driven in five years, but I still have my license. I would probably take the test if I had to, but I don’t drive anymore. I have a history of panic attacks. Driving in traffic was terrifying.”

– D. Talbot

Test your road safety knowledge

The Highway Safety Code underwent a major overhaul in 2018. Drivers are responsible for knowing and obeying the rules in effect. Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec offers a number of different questionnaires to test your knowledge on particular topics like traffic rules, road signs and traffic signals, and driving and road safety for both automobiles and motorcycles.

Some driving schools, including those operated by CAA-Quebec, also offer refresher driving courses for seniors. They’re a good way for older drivers to brush up on the rules of the road or change their driving habits based on new restrictions.

Signs of an unsafe driver

No one wants to report a loved one to the authorities, but sometimes it’s a matter of public safety. There is a process for reporting an unsafe driver (in French only) to Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), regardless of age. Police officers can also report a driver following an accident or other incident. The driver must pass one or more tests and their licence may be subject to additional conditions or even suspended based on the results.

Do you need personalized advice for your vehicle?

Our Mobility Advisory Services specialists can answer your questions about vehicles of all kinds. Feel free to ask for their input, maintenance advice or a list price. It’s just one of the benefits of membership, and there’s no limit to the number of calls you can make.