Aging is inevitable - It happens to everybody

But growing older doesn’t have to mean giving up an active life. While aging does impose physical limitations, many people achieved their greatest success when they were over 60. Almost everyone concerned with traffic safety wants to keep older drivers on the highways as long as they can drive safely. Age should never be mistaken as the sole indicator of driving ability. In fact, in Manitoba, drivers over 55 represent a wide range of abilities, and no individual will lose his or her licence solely because of age.

However, the skills needed for safe driving - vision, reflexes, flexibility, hearing - begin to deteriorate around age 55 with an even greater loss after 75. Aging drivers can adjust their driving habits to cope safely with this decline, but to do this they must recognize their limitations and unsafe driving practices and be aware of actions they can take to make their driving safer. Creating this awareness is the purpose of this booklet.

The rating form on the next page is for your use alone. Answer the questions as honestly as possible. Use the rating guide to compute your score and learn where your strengths and weaknesses lie. Then, read the Suggestions for Improvement section that corresponds to each question to see how to improve your driving.

The central idea is to help you drive safely as long as possible.