I had this sent to me by a friend and had to share it with you all .
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation introduced discriminatory restrictions and special testing for older drivers in Ontario, under the false pretension that older drivers
constitute a significantly higher risk in traffic.
In November of 2012, I conducted research, obtaining every valid statistic in Canada and a major Australian Study, that used Canadian statistics. These studies, including
statistics from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, revealed that consistently, year after year, the older drivers have had fewer accidents than any other drive group, and
as they age, have fewer still.
A charge was laid against the Ministry of Transportation , in November of 2012, under the Ontario Human Rights Act. After six months of intense correspondence,
the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal dismissed my complaint, on the grounds that the Ministry, and all it’s Agencies are exempt.
I continued my pursuit, by going directly to the Minister of Transportation. After hounding him for a number of weeks, received an email, admitting that the Ministry
did not have the statistical justification to enact the discriminatory legislation against the elderly drivers, but proceeded anyway. I presume on preconceived views about
the elderly.
This does not only make this law illegal, but it violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, The Human Rights Act, The Criminal Code on Elder Abuse,
and the persons right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
If you are still feeling comfortable, consider what is coming . The Toronto Star recently featured an article called “Driving With Dementia, The New Impaired Driver”.
In this article, it states that 28% of drivers over 65 years of age and older, have dementia, and suggests that these people should be given a test, presently being used in
Alberta, called the Simard MD Protocal. This test has no credibility with the Academics and Professional Organizations, who have come out, stating that they are surprised
that a Government would use a test which is not scientific, unreliable, and sets the seniors up for failure. 20% fail, 20% cannot be determined. This test is paid for by the elderly
$250.00 each time tested, and paid to a private firm.
Rumour has it, that the Ontario Ministry of Transportation will be introducing the Simard test in April of 2014.
Please give this as much distribution as possible, in order to make the people of Ontario aware of what their Government is doing. The only way to exercise our rights is to seek
remedy through the Courts, however, only wealthy citizens can afford their rights.
Perhaps, with wide distribution, we may find some legal firm, willing to something as a public service.
If you can find a law firm that deals with charter/ human rights violations specifically......they are used to p*ssing the gov. off and wont be afraid.
As always, gov have deep pockets and most average Joe's are uneducated about there rights, and how they are being stripped from us. Nor do they have the means to stand up for themselves and others.
Ya know what they say...... it takes a village to raise the village idiot, but a community can move mountains.
older drivers dont have as many accidents because they dont drive as much, but when they do drive, watch out, i have seen so many older people who shouldnt be driving a golf cart let alone a car. almost every time i see someone do something stupid behind the wheel its almost always a senior at the wheel with no clue as to whats going on around them. i think there should be more restraints and more testing for seniors as a rule. if was a danger to the public but had no idea i was or too much pride to admit it i would rather be taken off the road if im 90 years old than cause a fatality.
{ This does not only make this law illegal, but it violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, The Human Rights Act, The Criminal Code on Elder Abuse,
and the persons right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.}
Coming from an retired cop this surprises him. This is what we get for allowing any form of government or its agency's to act above the law or be exempt from it.Sad that they have been pulling this crap for years on select groups of people instead of just doing their jobs saying its in the publics best interest. I wish i could agree with the author that the statement in the first paragraph was true but they have just been hollow words that mean nothing for a long time in this Provence
I don't support this testing but on the other hand.....for the third time this year I stopped an elder lady from making a wrong turn and going South on the Northbound lanes of HWY115/35 at Newcastle.
No, it was not Hemi!
I've met a car going south on the north bound 115/35 lane there...blew past me at a high rate of speed and then right up the ramp into opposing (west bound) traffic on the 401. My guess was it was an impaired driver because it was late at night. I called 911 and never heard anymore about it....lucky.
I think drivers over 75 should get tested, because like a few already said, some should not be on public roads. My inlaws are a perfect example!! They're over 80 years old, half blind and being Scottish they are stubborn as hell when their kids tell them to stop driving because they will eventually hurt or kill someone.
there are far more drivers than the elderly out there that should be retested.
I think after you have had an accident both drivers should be retested or
after a major moving traffic violation ,a driver should be retested.
My parent's are borh in their 80's and still driving ,yeah their a bit slower on the road
but if drivers had a little more courtesy they will do just fine.
They don't drive on any 400 series highway's anymore
and mostly drive themselves to doctors appointment's, groceries ,shopping,
or to visit their kids, mostly familiar places. If and when the government take their licenses
It will become my responsibility to ensure that they get these thing's done.
My father in law doesn't drive anymore and we do these things for him now.
My parent's have driven and paid insurance for multiple car's for 60+ years now
without a claim or moving violation .Being able to drive still keeps them independent
and getting out of the house moving . And yes both have been retested by the ministry
multiple times as is and haven't had their license revoked.
A little courtesy and common sense by other driver's on our roadway's would go a long way.
I Stand With 34 Guy On This One, I Have Never Seen Such Rude Ignorant Drivers In All My Life.
I'm 63 And Do The Speed Limit (Not Into Giving This Thieving Government A Cent More Than I Have To).
I Have Been Fingered, Pasted Stupidly And Unsafely FOR GOING THE SPEED LIMIT.
Today In a Parking Lot In Cobourg Trying To Back Out Of My Parking Spot Four Cars Swerved Around My Ass End Like I Wasn't There With Me Almost Hitting Two Of Them(Ages 25-45) The Only One That Stopped To Let Me Out Safely Was A Elderly Lady I'd Say About 70 Yrs Old
34 Guy Your Right Some Road Courtesy & Common Sense Should Not Only Be Given,It Should Be Part Of The Drivers Test AND IT SHOULD BE THE LAW
Here is reply from MPP Lisa Thompson office (Huron-Bruce)-------------------------------------
Carl:
Thank you for contacting Lisa’s office with regard to SIMARD testing. We emailed the Minister’s Office this morning to get more information and this is the response we received:
“While improvements are always being considered to the senior driver licensing process, the current biannual license renewal process for drivers 80 years of age and over is a reasonable and rational program designed to help seniors driving longer and safer. The Ministry of Transportation has no plans to introduce SIMARD testing. Finally, according to our most recently published Ontario Road Safety Annual Report (2010), in the five year period 2006-2010, the average fatal collision involvement rate per 10,000 licenced drivers in Ontario age 80 and over was 48% lower than the average fatal collision involvement rate between 1991 and 1995, the last five years under the previous senior driver program which required an annual vision, knowledge and mandatory road test.”
Thank you Carl for taking the time to get that cleared up!
Grumpy, almost 50 years ago, I was taught by a parking lot attendant that it is much easier to back into a parking spot, especially in a crowded lot. Backing in also makes it a whole lot safer pulling out. Not criticizing, just saying.
Thank you for your email regarding licencing requirements for seniors.
I understand the concerns that have been presented with the Senior Driver Renewal Program, and obligations it places on seniors.
The below email also makes reference to the SIMARD screening test. Our PC Caucus Transportation Critic, MPP Jeff Yurek, has spoken to the Ministry of Transportation about this information, and has been assured that the government has no plans to implement this test anytime in the near future. That being said, I appreciate the information you have provided, and will keep your views under consideration on any potential discussion on this issue.
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation introduced discriminatory restrictions and special testing for older drivers in Ontario, under the false pretension that older drivers
constitute a significantly higher risk in traffic.
In November of 2012, I conducted research, obtaining every valid statistic in Canada and a major Australian Study, that used Canadian statistics. These studies, including
statistics from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, revealed that consistently, year after year, the older drivers have had fewer accidents than any other drive group, and
as they age, have fewer still.
A charge was laid against the Ministry of Transportation , in November of 2012, under the Ontario Human Rights Act. After six months of intense correspondence,
the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal dismissed my complaint, on the grounds that the Ministry, and all it’s Agencies are exempt.
I continued my pursuit, by going directly to the Minister of Transportation. After hounding him for a number of weeks, received an email, admitting that the Ministry
did not have the statistical justification to enact the discriminatory legislation against the elderly drivers, but proceeded anyway. I presume on preconceived views about
the elderly.
This does not only make this law illegal, but it violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, The Human Rights Act, The Criminal Code on Elder Abuse,
and the persons right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
If you are still feeling comfortable, consider what is coming . The Toronto Star recently featured an article called “Driving With Dementia, The New Impaired Driver”.
In this article, it states that 28% of drivers over 65 years of age and older, have dementia, and suggests that these people should be given a test, presently being used in
Alberta, called the Simard MD Protocal. This test has no credibility with the Academics and Professional Organizations, who have come out, stating that they are surprised
that a Government would use a test which is not scientific, unreliable, and sets the seniors up for failure. 20% fail, 20% cannot be determined. This test is paid for by the elderly
$250.00 each time tested, and paid to a private firm.
Rumour has it, that the Ontario Ministry of Transportation will be introducing the Simard test in April of 2014.
Please give this as much distribution as possible, in order to make the people of Ontario aware of what their Government is doing. The only way to exercise our rights is to seek
remedy through the Courts, however, only wealthy citizens can afford their rights.
Perhaps, with wide distribution, we may find some legal firm, willing to something as a public service.
Thank you Carl for taking the time to get that cleared up!
Grumpy, almost 50 years ago, I was taught by a parking lot attendant that it is much easier to back into a parking spot, especially in a crowded lot. Backing in also makes it a whole lot safer pulling out. Not criticizing, just saying.
Thats funny . If you Look at any corporate Lot you can tell the one.s that implement driver safety training . Just by the way the cars are parked. I think you got the better deal some words of wisdom at old fashion price's
That attendant's words of wisdom were not wasted on me, only if I have no other choice, will I pull frontwords into a parking spot! I passed that advice on to my wife, she also will never drive frontwards into a spot. We always back into our own driveway, and anyone else's that we go to visit.
People say "I can't back into a parking spot", well if you can back out, you can back in!
