TORONTO - The Insurance Bureau of Canada says an aging population is increasingly presenting a hazard on city streets and governments need to reassess their licensing schemes.
CEO Mark Yakabuski says provinces tend to look at age alone and fail to take into account medical conditions when assessing one's ability to drive. Among several speakers at a two-day Aging Driver Mobility Forum that kicks off Thursday, he's calling on governments to legislate reportable ailments.
He also wants to see transportation ministries consider restricting licenses rather than repealing them so seniors can maintain some form of independence.
He says governments should also consider giving tax breaks to caregivers who act as chauffeurs for old folks.
The forum will focus on the safety and mobility of seniors on Canadian roads and will attract stakeholders from across the country.
