Ont., Alta. consider retesting drivers

EDMONTON, (April 5, 2004) – Both the Ontario and Alberta departments of transportation say they’re reviewing the possibility of retesting all drivers in each province.

Alberta Transportation Minister Ed Stelmach was first to discuss the plan last Thursday. His comments confirming the government is considering re-examining drivers were mirrored a day later by Ontario Transportation Minister Harinder Takhar.

The plan — which is being touted in both provinces as a way to reduce highway fatalities — would catch unqualified drivers who fall through the cracks during the first test, Stelmach said. Drivers would be retested for such things as driver reaction time, motor skills, and night vision.

Takhar suggested the Liberal government is willing to let Alberta take the lead on the issue before making a final decision. “I will talk to my colleague (Stelmach) and see what other details they have, what kind of evidence they have and what kind of legislation they are planning to bring forward,” Takhar was quoted by Canadian Press.

His comments drew strong criticism by both PC and NDP parties in Ontario, while in Alberta, the opposition Liberals are on board with the proposal. Transportation critic Bill Bonner said he would like to see drivers retested every 15 years — perhaps even 10.

Passenger car drivers in Ontario are currently retested after the age of 80. Ontario truck operators, instead, are the only drivers in the country that face mandatory road retesting every year after they turn 65.

Ontario sold its driver examination business to the private sector last year. The MTO issued a 10-year contract, worth about $114 million, to the Serco Group, which is now responsible for delivering vision, knowledge, and road tests.

— with files from Canadian Press