Lobbying underway to establish seniors driver exam services in Alliston

Posted July 18, 2012

According to the 2011 Census, 18 per cent (5,170 people) of New Tecumseth's population was aged 65 and older, most of them concentrated in Green Briar, Briar Hill and Tecumseth Pines communities. Within that demographic, 625 were 85 and older.

Once seniors turn 80, they are required to renew their driver's licence every two years, and as part of that process, have to attend a driver's licence renewal session with other senior drivers; undergo a vision test; take a multiple-choice test on traffic rules and signs; and participate in a group education session where "a ministry counsellor will teach a small group of seniors about how aging affects driving, tips on driving and new traffic laws. Altogether it's a 3.5 hour session.

Currently, local seniors have to travel to Barrie, Orangeville, or Newmarket to take the tests, and that once they work through the waiting list which can be three to four months at times.

A couple of months back, Briar Hill resident Joan Wardrope emailed Simcoe Grey MPP Jim Wilson suggesting that there was a large enough seniors population in town to warrant driver exam services to be offered in town. Ms. Wardrope noted the difficulty seniors have to endure travelling out of town in the winter months to take the tests. Her letter was forwarded by Mr. Wilson to the Ministry of Transportion, and in a reply letter dated June 8 signed by Transport Minister Bob Chiarelli, it opens the door to the idea.

"When determining facilities for Senior Driver Education Sessions, ministry staff consider factors including demand, convenience, location, facility features, cost and parking availability. We make every effort to select a location that is easily accessible for senior drivers," according to the letter which was included on Monday night's New Tecumseth council agenda. "We are always reviewing the need for new sites based on demand and we attempt to establish new location whenever opportunities arise that meet our existing operational requirements."

Deputy mayor Rick Milne said Monday night that two possible locations have been shortlisted: The Alliston Legion and Kingsmere, and that Brent Swain, the Ministry's Field Services Manager will be in town to determine if either of the spots can work. It would serve the south Simcoe region.

Mr. Milne said he also asked Mr. Swain about offering driver exam services for all classes of driver tests in Alliston, and was told "you get your foot in the door with seniors."

Ward 3 councillor Paul Whiteside said the lack of driver exam services in town is one of the regular complaints he receives, and recounted that it used to be offered in Alliston more than 15 years ago.

Dickey's Licence Office on Parsons Road in Alliston has been expanded into a Service Ontario location, but doesn't offer driver exams.

"It certainly has been a deficiency in provision of service to our area," he said, "I do get many calls from many individuals who'd like to see this not only for the seniors but for the community."

Ward 4 councillor Fran Sainsbury joked that time was of the essence to get the service for seniors established in town.

"We have to have it done in less than four years," she said, "because I'm going to have to take that test," which prompted Ward 8 councillor Jim Stone to note that his will come in three years.

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