Did you know that parallel parking and three-point turns have been removed from the G test?
On Wednesday, Ontario’s acting Auditor General Nick Stavropoulos revealed the findings of his 2023 annual report, which included concerns about Ontario’s driver’s training and exams.
In the report, the auditor general said that the “reduced driving test requirements and limited retraining for suspended drivers potentially risk public safety on Ontario roads.”
Modifications to the G test were implemented in January 2022 in order to help clear the backlog of people waiting to take their driving exams that was exacerbated by closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ministry of Transportation officials have previously told the media that the changes eliminated what the government called “duplicate elements” from the test, as they are already included in the G2 test. But the auditor general says these changes were made by the ministry “without a full review and formal evaluation of road safety impacts.”
The report says that even though the backlog was cleared last fall, the ministry kept the modified test for nearly two years longer than originally planned without proper analysis and evaluation. And former Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney announced last summer that the changes to the test were permanent.
The audit also found that in 2022, drivers who had their licences suspended two or more times in the previous year had a fatal collision rate six times above the rate of the average driver.
“The Ministry of Transportation rarely requires retraining for drivers with repeat driving suspensions due to dangerous driving behaviours,” the report reads, providing examples like stunt racing or careless driving causing bodily harm.
However, it is a ministry requirement for drivers with two alcohol or drug-related suspensions to complete a remedial program.
CONCERNS ALSO RAISED ABOUT OUT-OF-TOWN TESTING
And while we all know someone who has gone out of town for their driver’s test, according to the report, it’s a problem. The audit found that novice drivers living in cities who travelled to rural or suburban examination centres to do their road test had collision rates 16 to 27 per cent higher than those who took their test close to home.
The report also outlines that because of the ministry’s lack of oversight when it comes to driving schools and instructors, new drivers may get “route training” to practice the specific path of their final driving test, which could impede on the examiner’s ability to truly assess students’ driving.
Additionally, the report highlighted that despite not being able to meet performance targets repeatedly over the last decade, the ministry awarded a new contract to the same company to continue carrying out driving tests in Ontario.
“For the safety of everyone on Ontario’s roads, the Ministry should ensure driver training and examinations are both monitored and evaluated, including retraining requirements for drivers with repeat driving suspensions,” said Stavropoulos.
ONTARIANS REACT TO AUDITOR GENERAL’S FINDINGS
People living in Ontario took to X to share their thoughts on the report. Some felt that the modifications should be reversed now that the backlog of new drivers waiting to take their G test has been cleared.
“Absolutely. What is the point of just having a person drive straight? If you can’t do a three-point turn take the bus,” wrote one X user.
“Didn’t know requirements were removed, YES RESTORE!!”
“Yes. These are all skills you’ll need throughout your life if you choose to drive. Not knowing how to do them properly will cause potential accidents.”
While some felt that the modifications were fine.
“I’m ok with removing parallel parking. I think I’ve done it maybe twice since I got my licence more than 20 years ago,” one person commented.
“This was tested on the G2 test? Why duplicate testing?”
And others still want to see the test completely revamped.
“I also think that Ontario should ditch graduated licensing, but require people to take a 6 week Winter Driving course and a 6 week Defensive Driving course… the younger generations of drivers do not have these skills, and they are important to have,” one person posted on X.
“Even with the original test restored, it won’t change the quality of driving in Ontario—too much corruption and deficiently skilled instructors. Most drivers have no regard for speed limits or surroundings—this should be the Auditor General’s focus.”
“These are the least of our worries. Not knowing how to parallel park won’t kill anyone….but speeding, stunt driving will. Our testing process, or lack of, needs to be stricter. Drivers test shd be done where you live and everyone in Ontario shd be tested & carry a valid Ont licence.”
