Toronto Forum Talks About Issue of Aging Drivers

Stakeholders from across the country converged on Toronto Thursday for the Aging Driver Mobility Forum. The Forum addressed the challenges Ontario will face as the aging population puts more older drivers on Ontario’s roads.

“Everybody ages differently and we don’t want to send the message that all older drivers are dangerous, because it’s simply not true,” said Mark Yakabuski, president & CEO, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC). “Really, the problem we need to address is medically-at-risk drivers.”

The Forum is sponsored by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, the Ontario Safety League, IBC and Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat. Experts in medical reporting, driver licensing, road safety and social support are taking a comprehensive look at the issue of medically-at-risk drivers. Attendees aren’t just concerned with keeping Canada’s roads safe. They are discussing innovative ways to support medically-at-risk drivers and their families in maintaining mobility and quality of life.

“We know that mobility is important for aging drivers. This forum will help us understand how to meet the needs of aging drivers while keeping our roads safe,” said Transportation Minister Jim Bradley.

There’s little doubt that medically-at-risk drivers will be a growing problem in the years to come. As Canada's population ages, medical problems like arthritis, heart disease, stroke and dementia will likely become more common. These ailments, and the prescription medications that many older Canadians take, reportedly can significantly impair driving ability.

The Forum continues today and kicks off work on the Aging Driver Mobility Forum final report, which will be released in the coming year.