Elderly man’s suspended driver’s license brings up questions
The laws that govern driver’s licenses in Ontario are meant to keep drivers and other people who are on the roadways safe. While most of these laws don’t unfairly target any drivers, one law seems to be targeting senior citizens. That law is one that requires drivers who are 80 years old or older to have written and vision tests every two years. One 82-year-old man says that because of his age and an eye condition that he has had since he was 8 years old, he is now without a license.
On behalf of Joseph Caprara of CBLAW posted in Car Accidents on Wednesday, October 28, 2015.
The laws that govern driver’s licenses in Ontario are meant to keep drivers and other people who are on the roadways safe. While most of these laws don’t unfairly target any drivers, one law seems to be targeting senior citizens. That law is one that requires drivers who are 80 years old or older to have written and vision tests every two years. One 82-year-old man says that because of his age and an eye condition that he has had since he was 8 years old, he is now without a license.
The man lost sight in one eye when he was 8. Despite being monocular, the man has excelled in life. He was a top marksman at a boarding school of the army cadet corps at the age of 17. His eyesight hasn’t stopped him until now. His license was suspended because of concerns about his peripheral vision. His peripheral vision is actually 10 degrees above the minimum of 120 degrees that is required for drivers with binocular vision.
When he reported for his biannual test after his 82nd birthday, the man says the results from his eye exam were the same as when he had gotten the test done 2 years prior. Several doctors, including three optometrists, one ophthalmologist and a family doctor, say that the man’s vision is good enough for him to drive.
Despite those assertions, the Ontario transportation ministry is requiring him to file a vision waiver and take a driving test with a driving instructor and occupational therapist. The cost for that driving test alone is $800 to $1,000.
While it is easy to see how this law might protect motorists from elderly drivers who aren’t able to keep up with the demands of driving, it seemingly stops good drivers from being mobile. For people who were injured in an accident caused by an elderly driver, the lack of mobility might seem trivial compared to the safety of others.
Source: Ottawa Citizen, “Adami: Ontario can’t see its way to let accident-free senior drive,” Hugh Adami, Oct. 23, 2015