Almost half of Canadians worry about an aging loved one on the road

CAA unveils driving tool for seniors

THORNHILL, ON, Feb. 18, 2014 /CNW/ - New research conducted by CAA shows nearly half (47 per cent) of Canadians are concerned about the safety of an aging family member while behind the wheel. That is why CAA is launching a multimedia web tool designed to help seniors stay safe while in the driver's seat.

CAA's new online portal helps seniors and their loved ones assess driving skills, learn about changing abilities, and if needed, modify driving habits.

The research also shows that two thirds of senior drivers see the need for online devices to help them stay safe on the road. CAA's new web tool contains assessment instruments to pinpoint areas of improvement, interactive infographics that show common physical changes that affect driving, as well as videos with tips for managing challenging driving conditions. The site, located at www.seniorsdriving.caa.ca, incorporates information from the Canadian Medical Association's Driver's Guide and advice from the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists. 

"CAA believes awareness of age-related changes that affect our driving is an important step in keeping ourselves and our families safe on the road," said Teresa Di Felice, Director Government and Community Relations, CAA South Central Ontario.

The good news is that half of seniors have already taken at least one step to adjust their driving habits, such as reducing or eliminating driving at night. Meanwhile, CAA research shows there is a need for more public information about age-related changes that affect driving.

For instance, only three per cent of seniors know that by age 60, the average person needs three times as much light to see as they did at age 20. CAA's portal also includes an interactive light tool that demonstrates changes in vision as we age, a driving-at-night infographic and video which both offer advice for dealing with this kind of physical change.

The CAA poll is based on a sample size of 1,133. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of +/-3.1%, 19 times out of 20.

As a leader and advocate for road safety and mobility, CAA South Central Ontario is a not-for-profit auto club which represents the interests of more than 1.9 million members. For over a century, CAA has collaborated with communities, police services and governments to help keep drivers and their families safe while travelling on our roads.

SOURCE: CAA South Central Ontario

Media contact: Silvana Aceto, Media and PR Consultant, CAA SCO, [email protected], Office: [phone], Cell: [phone] or Jeff LeMoine, Communications Consultant, CAA SCO [email protected], Office: [phone], Cell: [phone].