"Rise in the presence of the aged, and show respect for the elderly."

Letter: Ed. Rockburne, RCMP, Sgt. Retired

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Mrs. Isobel MacKenzie,
B.C. Advocate for Seniors.

Dear Madam,

I would like to bring to your attention blatant violations of the Elderly Drivers of B.C., Ontario and Alberta Which the Governments refuse to address. This cries out for fairness, and I would appreciate your

Senior Driver Abuse means losing driver’s licenses

assistance for all of the seniors in B.C.

A similar email was forwarded to the Federal Minister for Seniors, and She has passed in on to the Federal Justice Minister. This violates the very foundation of our democracy and Justice System, whereas a” PERSON IS PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY”.

OVERVIEW
—– ————-

Some seven years ago I began researching why the elder drivers were being subjected to special testing when they reach 80 years of age, despite being healthy and having a good driving record, covering many years.

I researched all of the major studies on elder drivers from England, Australia , Canada and the United States which consistently found that the elderly drivers were not a problem but on the contrary, expressed as being the safest age group on the roads. The Provincial Government’s own records at that time indicated the same. Elderly Drivers are self regulating and will stop driving on their own. E.G. many will not drive at night, some will not drive in the rain or in high traffic areas and many drive fewer kilometers each year, and finally give up their licences on their own. All of this is well documented.

Literally reams of evidence was supplied to the Province of Ontario, B.C., and Alberta, but they refused to
rescind their programs.

Social Damage
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The social damage is extensive. Health Canada advises that many of our people reside in rural communities where public transportation is not available, and when an elderly person loses their licenced they are cut off from the community , become depressed, turn to alcoholism and some lead to suicide.

Under the Law Doctors must report those they feel should not be driving for health reasons. Although this should apply to any driver at any age, seniors are being targeted and many now will not share their problems with the doctor for fear of losing their licence (Loss of doctor patient relationship). The seniors fears are legitimate, as doctors are using the Mini Montreal Cognitive Dementia test on the seniors , some without being notified by their doctor as to why , without their consent, and this test is known to give 50% false positives.

Violations to Canadian Seniors by their Provincial Government
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1. They have had their undeniable Rights of Discrimination taken away from them under the Canadian Rights and Freedoms Act, under the threat ( coercion) of having their licence suspended by the Province.

2. They have been Violated under the Criminal Code of Canada, under the section of Elder Abuse.

3. And last but not least, this Law violates the fundamental corner stone of our Justice System that states, “ THAT ALL PERSONS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY’’. whereas the elderly drivers have done nothing wrong, but every two years they have to prove they are innocent by the threat of having their licence taken away.

Reams of evidence have been supplied to the three violating Provinces. B.C., Alberta and Ontario , so I will not be supplying it here, however, all of this evidence is available for the public to see at our website; STOPELDERDRIVERABUSE.CA .

The elderly drivers have had their rights taken away without the Government going to Court, but the Elderly must go to Court to get them back, something few can afford or have the energy and knowledge to do.”? There is no option than to make this right. Either we have Rights or Just the Appearance of Rights.

Sincerely,

Ed. Rockburne, RCMP , Sgt. Retired.
Phone; (613) 320-0147. Maitland Ontario.
Website: Stopelderdriverabuse.ca

RESPONSE