Any information?

[turbodish]

Originally Posted by aircav

Debate from the legislature:

http://www1.carp.ca/PDF/Hansard_Bill%20221.pdf

I didn't read much of it, but it looks like Frank Klees is against it. So, it probably won't go anywhere.

Klees is actually in favour of the general premise behind the Bill, that is to be able to issue restricted driver's licenses based on medical limitations. His objection is that it be age-based, as the proposed Bill is specifically aimed at seniors ages 65 and older. Klees believes that there should be no age limitation on who can qualify for a restricted license.

That's a fairly minor philosophical disagreement when you look at what the Bill is really targeting. It's one that can easily be remedied by modifying the proposed Bill to apply to all drivers who may have a medical limitation that may affect their ability to drive in specific, well-defined situations.

My bet is that this Bill will pass in part because there is no real opposition in principle to the proposed technical changes to our licensing system, and because other provinces have already implemented similar programs and have shown that they can be made to work.

I think such a license is far preferable to a situation where we force seniors into enclosed garden tractors or quad runners to fend with full-size car and truck traffic while they can make the slow drive along back roads into their local town or village to pick up groceries and visit friends. If they are capable of doing the limited car trips that they need to on a safe basis, they should be permitted to with reasonable dignity.