Cognitive tests provided by DriveABLE for senior drivers requiring assessment are now available in the Courtenay/Comox area.
In a letter from Steve Martin, provincial superintendent of motor vehicles, to Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons, Martin informed Simons that DriveABLE In Office Cognitive Driving Assessments (DCAT) are now available in the Courtenay/Comox area. He added that on-road assessments will also soon be available in Courtenay.
“This location will make travel somewhat easier for your constituents,” wrote Martin.
Martin’s letter is in response to the letter Simons wrote to Rich Coleman, minister of public safety and solicitor general, in December 2010 on behalf of a constituent. Simons wrote of a senior driver in the Powell River region who felt it unfair to have to drive to Nanaimo for examination when he hadn’t driven outside the Sunshine Coast for eight years. The man also said that having to use a computer for the test without any experience with computers ultimately contributed to him failing the test and losing his licence.
In the letter Martin wrote that he can “appreciate” the concerns in regard to the use of a computer but emphasized that, while a computer monitor is used, being computer savvy isn’t necessary “because the driver responds by simply touching the touch-sensitive screen or pressing a button.” He mentioned also that drivers are given an opportunity to practice using the mouse prior to the test.
Simons said that DriveABLE exams being available in Courtenay/Comox is a step forward but that the associated costs still make having to travel to Vancouver Island for testing unfortunate. Simons believes people required to travel to take the test should be able to claim travel expenses as medical costs and travel free of charge, as is the case with other medical services.
The very use of DriveABLE as a testing agency was also called into question by Simons, who criticized the decision to privatize licencing examinations. He also reiterated that despite claims the computerized testing is simple and does not require knowledge of computers he has heard otherwise from constituents.
“I think it’s okay to assess driver capability but to do so I think you need to maintain the dignity of the person and have rules that fit the needs of the seniors,” said Simons. “I believe that the system is imperfect and there are ways of making the system better without a financial impact.”
Simons said he will follow up on the issue in the near future.
