The elders in the region of Quebec are struggling with the examinations of the SAAQ

QMI agency

Tuesday, 13 February 2018 14:57

UPDATE
Tuesday, 13 February 2018 15:03

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QUEBEC – drivers 75 years and older in the region of Quebec will have a success rate in examinations of the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) was lower than for seniors of other regions.

For the past three years, Quebec finished last among the 17 regions of the province in the classification of the SAAQ, with success rates of 31 % by 2017, 40 % in 2016, and 41 % in 2015.

The SAAQ may not explain for what reason the elders of the region in the National Capital have more difficulty to write their exam. According to the organization, it is possible that the distortion is the result of a higher number of older drivers in the region of Quebec.

Elders encountered by TVA Nouvelles argue that the driving conditions have changed on the roads over time. “What you notice is that people drive fast. There are people who can treat me “téteux” in the car, but I think it is of caution,” said Michael Willett, a motorist age of 71 years.

Paul-Émile Leclerc, a driver, 84-year-old, shares the same opinion. “The young people, they will cut us off. The spaces are very short when they go beyond us. For me, them other, the road belongs to them”, he argued.

Development

“Older people are not all dangerous,” argued Michel Chabot, a driving instructor at the driving school Technic.

“It would be necessary that [the seniors] are more proactive, they take matters into their own hands, such as making a development in aging, take skills courses [at the wheel]”, however, has said Mr. Chabot, who teaches driving for the elderly for ten years.

The expert proposes an upgrade that would allow more older, according to him, to be in a better position when the time comes to pass their exam at the SAAQ.

35 000 drivers

The 75 years and older represent almost 35 000 drivers in the region of the Capitale-Nationale region. For them, driving is also a synonym of autonomy.

“I think I’m not dangerous behind the wheel. For me, having my driving licence, it is a great happiness in old age, with health,” said Jacques Delisle, 77-year-old, who works 20 hours per week at the cinema Cineplex Odeon Beauport to “désennuyer”.

Like others, he must pass his exam re-evaluation. This test is mandatory for drivers aged 75 years and older. He hopes to give the lie to the data.