Be fair to senior drivers

Re: “Test Unfair to Seniors,” Letters, Oct. 22. The issue relating to seniors’ ongoing ability to drive is complex.

The goal, perhaps unattainable, is to take seniors whose driving abilities have deteriorated to an unsafe level off the road, while not discriminating against those seniors who may have a degree of cognitive and functional compromise, but who retain the ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.

There is definitely no consensus within the medical community. The American Academy of Neurology recommends a standardized on-road driving test. An editorial in the Canadian Medical Association Journal proposes graduated licences for seniors.

Physicians (upon whom much of the burden of responsibility regarding this matter has been placed) must be careful not to ignore the rights of seniors for the sake of expediency. The determination of fitness to drive must be fair.

In our experience, senior friendly programs such as the AMA’s individualized on-road assessments and upgrades serve as a good starting point. From that point, an on-road driving test is less formidable and threatening. These assessments change the tone from one of confrontation to one of collaboration. This is a concept that should be kept in mind by all those involved in the process. Doug Duke, MD, Edmonton