A local 80-year-old driver recently went through many challenges to keep her licence, and she doesn't want other seniors to face the same problems in the future.
Barb Robertson said that when she turned 80 recently she needed to see her doctor to verify she was able to continue driving. When the doctor felt uneasy about signing off on the driver's ability, she recommended Robertson take two driving tests: DriveABLE and Drive-Safe.
"I was perfectly satisfied with her decision and I feel it makes good sense. I certainly do not wish to be a danger to myself or others on the road," said Robertson.
The DriveABLE test assesses cognitive functions through use of a computer program and the Drive-Safe test is an on-road assessment that sees elderly drivers essentially take a driving test.
Robertson phoned the number given to her to set up the tests and that's when the challenges started.
"I thought it would be an easy solution. I would just take the tests and wait for the results. But when I called I found out the tests weren't available on the Coast. That's when a sort of comedy of errors started," Robertson said.
She was told she would have to take the tests in Courtenay, as it was "the closest available site." When she explained Courtenay was quite a ways away from the Coast, she was told to take the test in Victoria.
"But that is still two ferry rides away," Robertson noted.
After some debate Robertson asked if there was any way she could take the tests in Vancouver.
"They sort of reluctantly said the tests were available in Vancouver," said Robertson.
She called to set up an appointment and soon realized she would have to go into Vancouver twice to take the necessary tests.
Robertson needed to take public transit into town for the two appointments, which took its toll as she is mobility challenged and must use a cane or a walker to get around.
Once in Vancouver at the DriveABLE test, she noticed the computer screen was too high to be seen properly.
"I asked for a cushion, but they wouldn't give me one. Then I asked for a chair that could be adjusted, but they said no because it had to be the same for everyone. But I am vertically challenged and I would guess the screen was set up for someone who is much taller," she said.
The test required Robertson to watch the screen and then look down at the keyboard to push various buttons. This was difficult in itself as Robertson was wearing bifocals, and didn't think to bring her reading glasses for the test.
"What was unnerving was the fact that my bifocal glasses, which I use for both driving and normal typing on my computer without any problem, now became a great disadvantage because of the height of the computer screen," she said. "Anyone who has used bifocals to look on the top shelf at the supermarket will know what I mean."
Once that test was done, it was another long bus ride and ferry trip home before returning on another date for the road test.
Several cancellations due to weather conditions later and Robertson was back in the city preparing to take the second test in an unfamiliar vehicle on unfamiliar streets that were much busier than those she is used to driving on here on the Coast.
Now she must wait four to six weeks to see if she can keep her licence and continue driving, something she says is very important as her husband is legally blind and Robertson is his primary care giver.
She found that the way the tests were administered and the fact they are not available on the Coast to be discriminatory, unfair and costly.
So she wrote a letter to the superintendent of Motor Vehicles and Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons explaining the issues and asking for the tests to be made available locally.
Her request to the superintendent has yet to be addressed by his office.
Simons was quick to reply to Robertson saying he is unhappy with the strain the tests put on the Coast's elderly.
"While we all want our roads to be safe, at the same time, seniors and individuals with medical conditions should be treated more fairly," he said. "Because losing driving privileges reduces independence, people's ability to drive should be tested fairly. Road tests on unfamiliar streets, and cognitive computer tests make the test unfair to some.
"This issue will become more important as our population ages, and some companies will make a lot of money off seniors. Whatever tests we use, they should be scientifically evaluated for accuracy and they should be available locally- - and they shouldn't cost seniors fees they can't afford."
He said he plans to write to the new minister and the superintendent of Motor Vehicles this month to ask that the tests be made available as a government service wherever seniors live.
