Dr. Brenda Vrkljan: Shifting Gears - Changing Perceptions About Older Drivers in Canada

The media perpetuates a negative stigma about older drivers and Dr. Vrkljan's research through Candrive is examining the real facts. 

Through a series of cognitive tests, computer GPS links to cars and in car cameras, hundreds of volunteers 70 and over are helping to amass data on senior driving habits. As well, she is putting her skills as an occupational therapist to research on vehicle design and aging. When a senior loses the right to drive there is a huge psychosocial impact, from depression, social isolation, loss of self esteem to an changes in the patient/doctor/clinician relationship. Many seniors who are forced to stop driving report it as worse than death or cancer. So, driving is really important to them. Her research is ongoing and anyone over 70 who wants to be part of the study is asked to contact her at McMaster University.