Friday, 5 April 2013

Driving Mr. D'Arcy

My Dad, Chris D'Arcy, turned 80 recently and voluntarily gave up his driving privileges. Ontario requires drivers over the age of 80 to undergo a road test. But my Dad knew that it was time to give up his licence. He was concerned that a foot problem would compromise his ability to use the brake and gas pedals. He gave up his licence without protest, or resentment, because he knew it was the right thing to do.

It can't be easy to give up your licence after 60 years of driving. As far as I know he had no accidents. He once claimed never to have used his horn while driving. There are cab drivers in Toronto that engage their horn every 5-minutes. I believe my Irish born Dad obtained his first licence in Nigeria. Toronto has dozens of Nigerian cab drivers and they may be the worst drivers in the city

I am not an expert in very many areas, but I have handled auto accident insurance claims for 25-years. I have handled some of the most horrific accident injury claims from across the country.  I can tell you that my dad was the safest driver I have seen. You can't tell me that as my Dad gives up his licence and today some pimply faced 16-year old boy obtained his first licence, that the streets of Ontario are a safer place. For me it is job security, if everyone drove like my Dad I would be out of work.

 We can safely say that Nigeria produced one safe driver, a boatload of bad taxi drivers and at least one overworked insurance man.

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