As people grow older, the idea of retiring from their job is often a goal to look forward to, however retiring from driving doesn't hold such appeal.
However, at a certain age, people must hang up their keys. The question is, when?
The DriveABLE program was introduced in 1998 to determine whether a person had a cognitive impairment that would impede the ability to drive safely.
When a person turns 80, they are automatically tested by their physician to determine cognitive abilities and the testing is repeating every two years.
Ninety five per cent of program referrals come from family physicians, according to Allan Lamb, president and COO, BCAA Road Safety Foundation. [ACCORDING TO WHOM?]
But seniors have complained the testing methods aren't geared towards them because the testing system is computerized, and senior citizens aren't technically savvy as the younger generations.
"When you lose your license... it takes away from a good portion of your life," said Phyllis Parker, 84, who had her license taken away this year after her physician had her tested.
She doesn't know why her physician tested her.
"I failed the computer test and I couldn't even take the road test but once you fail, that's it," she said. "The computer test is hard in that there are flashing lights and it's just hard."
People can choose to go through testing a second time however they are responsible for the cost.
"It doesn't guarantee you'll get a road test but you have to pay $336. On a limited income, that's a huge amount of money," said Parker.
The testing is done in two phases: the first is a touch-screen test, done under supervision, where speed and accuracy are important factors, and the second is a specialized road test.
The three possible results from the test are pass, fail and indeterminate. If someone fails they can file an appeal with the government to have it overturned, and if someone's score lands in the indeterminate range, they have the choice to go ahead and take a DriveABLE road test.
The test was designed for people with cognitive disabilities so there isn't a mouse or a keyboard just a touch screen, explained Lamb.
Solicitor General, Shirley Bond voiced her concerns about the program in a House commitee session on May 10, 2011.
Bond put forth a suggestion that senior citizens should be able to experience the testing equipment before being officially tested, to get used to the equipment.
"I think we need better education," said Bond. "I don't think we should be waiting for 80-year-olds to suddenly be informed that they have to go through this process. We need to start working with families much earlier on, with senior centres, to explain why."
Figures from the Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles (OSMV) show 40 per cent of B.C. drivers referred to the DriveABLE test fail, which means they are not allowed to take a road test.
Another 45 per cent have inconclusive results, which means a road test.
And sixty per cent of people who get to that stage pass and retain their driver's license.
A six-month wait is recommended before attempting to take the exam again, said Lamb. He admits the cost of a second round of testing can be prohibitive to people on a fixed income.
"For sure, there is no question. [But] we are grateful the first [test] in our province is paid for," Lamb said.
For more information on DriveABLE visit www.drivesmartbc.ca.
WE NEED MORE COMPLAINTS THAN ONE WOMAN -- IS THERE AN ADVOCACY GROUP FOR SENIORS WHO FEEL THE WAY PHYLLIS DOES? I ALSO VAGUELY REMEMBER READING ABOUT DOCTORS WHO ARE UPSET THAT THEY HAVE TO NOW BE THE WATCHDOGS FOR ELDERLY DRIVERS... BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR TAKING AWAY LICENSES OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
