When it comes to medical exams, it's worthy of note that every driver is asked about their health when they first apply for any class of license. Doesn't mean that they're inflexible; even an epileptic can drive if they've been seizure free for long enough.
What Bruce Bird and the CARP need to realize is that, thanks to modern medical science and modern lifestyles, seniors are living - physically - longer than ever. But that means that they're more susceptible to both physical and psychological ailments which could affect their capacity to operate a motor vehicle.
Straight from the Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles (Road Safety BC):
The Driver Medical Examination Report (DMER) is the primary tool used by the Superintendent to assess the severity, progression, treatment or effects of a medical condition, if any, in regards to a driver’s fitness to drive. Drivers are requested to have the DMER completed and sent to the Superintendent when:
- holding a commercial class driver’s licence (this is done at regular intervals)
- a previously identified medical condition may affect driving
- a reliable report of a potentially dangerous condition is received from a medical professional, police officer, concerned family member or other individual
- a driver reaches age 80 and at regular intervals thereafter as this is an age where medical conditions affecting driving are more common
The Superintendent’s office will review the completed Driver’s Medical Examination Report and let the driver know if any more information or assessment is required. The Superintendent will also notify the driver, in writing, of any driver’s licence status changes which occur as a result of the information on the report.
- Log in to post comments
- Log in to post comments
Not Only Seniors Need Mandatory Medicals