Canadian Insurance Bureau Suggests Adding Medical Fitness As Driver's License Requirement For Older Drivers

Toronto, Canada (AHN) - In view of Canada's greying population, the Insurance Bureau recommended amending the driver's licensing system of the country.

Insurance Bureau chief executive officer Mark Yakabuskim said Wednesday at an Aging Driver Mobility Forum he is not in favor of repealing licenses of the elderly, instead he wants to restrict issuance of driver's permits to drivers beyond 60.

Yakabusim, quoted by the Canadian Press, said the medical condition of the driver's license applicant must also be considered to allow elderly, but fit, drivers mobility despite their advance age. He also proposed tax breaks to caregivers who serve as drivers of senior citizens.

Meanwhile, the Ontario Police rolled out an aircraft that would assist its traffic enforcers capture overspeeding drivers. The Cessna 206 uses a technology called Fantinovision. According to the Ontario police's website the new approach to monitoring overspeeding motorists involves coordination between the aircraft operator and several ground officers.

Indicating the advantage the new police plane would have over speed demons, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty said, quoted by the Toronto Star, "We've all seen how dangerous drivers hit the brakes when they see a police vehicle... They won't get away with that when this plane is on patrol."