Tip line to report unsafe elderly drivers causes outrage
Posted By:
Newstalk 1010
·
2/21/2013 5:55:00 AM
The Canadian Association of Retired Persons is fuming over the move by police in Sudbury to set up a tip line people can call anonymously to report elderly drivers whom they feel are no longer able to drive.
CARP Vice President, Susan Eng says the association has no problem with a tip line for bad drivers, but she says this one in Sudbury targets older drivers in particular. She calls it "a huge infringement on their rights."
Eng contends there has to be a legitimate way of testing everybody's skill to be able to drive on the road and not presume that everyone who looks a certain age, is, by definition unable to drive.
After a report, a plainclothes officer is sent to the home of the driver to discuss the incident in question. They will ask if the individual has a tough time with hearing or their vision. The visit may result in a follow-up with a doctor or they may even be required to take a driving test.
This was organized by The North East Dementia Network Coalition Safe Driving Task Force which was formed last month. The tips are sent to them by Crime Stoppers.
A Sudbury constable tells the Post, that many people will call them saying their concerned about their mother, father or friend driving but they don't know who to speak to about it.
There are about 2.8 million drivers in Canada that are over the age of 65 and nearly 15 percent of those killed in traffic accidents are seniors, according to figures from Transport Canada.