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A driver's licence provides independence, mobility, and an enhanced lifestyle for seniors. Photo / Jacob Ammentorp Lund

Cognitive assessments for elderly drivers called into question by advocates

Author: Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date: Wed, 1 May 2024, 6:42pm

Grey Power is calling for a change in elderly driver assessments, claiming the current process penalises licence holders in most need.

The SIMARD-MD and Mini-ACE are cognitive tests designed to identify drivers at risk, but these tests have faced criticism for not accounting for driving ability.

Grey Power vice president David Marshall says people have labelled these tests 'demeaning'.

"A vast majority of the patients aren't at that stage, so they go through the stress of these tests - and then they can forget and fail and then have to be sent on for additional testing."

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