Our monthly speaker for July was Lisa Thompson, Regional Marketing Planner – Toronto, Halton, Hamilton and Niagara Road Safety Marketing Office, talked about the “Senior Driver Licence Renewal Program” after being introduced by Art Currie. She spoke to the general road safety picture, and how good it was pointing out that, statistically, Ontario’s  roads are among the safest in North America. How-ever, the number of older drivers is increasing and the fatal collision involvement is high among the 75+ age group as well as for the under 25 group.

She outlined in considerable detail the Licence Renewal Program, what happens when one reaches 80, and how one can best proceed through the test. Drivers aged 80 years  and older must renew their driver’s licence every two years. The mandatory session includes a vision test, a review of your driving record, a short safety presentation and a brief in-class screening component. Lisa pointed out that the new screening component which replaces the knowledge/written test is designed to better screen drivers who may not be fit to drive and require a road test or a medical assessment.

Lisa also distributed information pamphlets with tips for seniors on staying safe and staying mobile She was a captivating speaker and, while fielding numerous questions, went well past the appointed hour.

Our next moths speaker will be Wayne Tester presenting a travelogue entitled South American Adventure #1: The Galapagos Islands and Ecuador. Wayne produced the program with pictures taken by his daughter Lynn and her husband Jim Miller