Police in Sudbury were urging residents to anonymously report elderly motorists they feel are no longer fit to drive.

The program “The North East Dementia Network Coalition Safe Driving Task Force” began last month with tips funnelled through Crime Stoppers.

A plainclothes officer was then sent to the motorist’s home to discuss the call and provide follow-up.

But Susan Eng, vice-president of advocacy for the group CARP, called it a huge infringement on the rights of older drivers.

Now the Sudbury Police chief’s apologized, saying he’s sorry if the campaign offended seniors.

Eng welcomes the move, pointing out the idea was to take this program province wide.

She says the decision to stop it in its tracks can now make way for public debate on options.

CARP thinks the first choice should be widely available, remedial training for older drivers.

In the meantime, the police chief in Sudbury says people can still call Crime Stoppers to report dangerous drivers whether they’re 18 or 80.