On its own, the fact that Frank Harding hasn害羞草研究所檛 been in a car accident isn害羞草研究所檛 that impressive.

What害羞草研究所檚 impressive is that he害羞草研究所檚 been driving for almost 80 years 害羞草研究所� and showing no signs of slowing down.

Following a recent medical examination, the 98-year-old Courtenay resident was recommended by his doctor to undergo a driving assessment to make sure he was still fit to get behind the wheel of his 1990 Volvo.

害羞草研究所淸The doctor] figured that due to my age, I should do a road test,害羞草研究所� said Harding, who was born in New Brunswick on Dec. 12, 1919. 害羞草研究所淗e gave me a phone number and this lady took me out. It was foggy. We debated whether we should go out or not.害羞草研究所�

Harding said he barely passed the reassessment the first time around due to poor weather and fog.

害羞草研究所淎ll I could do was see the road just in front of my car,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淪he put me through a spot where there was a stop sign and I didn害羞草研究所檛 see it until I was already in the intersection.害羞草研究所�

Harding said he was docked 59 points throughout the assessment. The maximum amount of points allowed to be docked was 60.

Because of how narrowly he had passed, his doctor recommended he perform the test again.

Harding said the second time he took the test that he passed with no issues.

害羞草研究所淭he woman said, 害羞草研究所榯ake me to Walmart.害羞草研究所� I said, 害羞草研究所榳ell, that害羞草研究所檚 not a problem害羞草研究所�. So we went to Walmart.害羞草研究所�

Eight decades of driving

Harding first obtained his driver害羞草研究所檚 licence in 1945, after returning to New Brunswick from the Second World War. He had served in Italy and also participated in the Liberation of Holland.

But he害羞草研究所檇 done plenty of driving before then.

Even though he had never owned a car before going overseas and had only driven tractors and other farm equipment until that point, Harding listed his occupation as 害羞草研究所渢ruck driver害羞草研究所� when he first enlisted in the army.

害羞草研究所淲here I lived, I never had an occupation. I hardly knew what the word meant,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淪omeone told me that when I joined the army, all I害羞草研究所檇 be doing is walking. So when they asked my occupation, right off the top of my head, I said I was a truck driver.害羞草研究所�

Because of that little white lie, Harding often found himself performing various driving assignments for his Company during his time in Europe.

He mentioned how when he first arrived in Sicily, he was presented with a truck, a big water tank and a container of powder to retrieve water for the rest of the Company.

害羞草研究所淭hat was my job 害羞草研究所� supplying water for all of these men until the engineers set up our water purifiers,害羞草研究所� he said.

害羞草研究所淢y record said I was a truck driver, so if they needed a truck driver, they called on me!害羞草研究所�

Frequent gym-goer

At 98, Harding attributes his continued good health to eating well and going to the Comox Recreation Centre regularly.

He said he goes to the gym five or six mornings per week, where he uses a dozen of the exercise machines.

害羞草研究所淚t gives me something to get up for. Otherwise, I害羞草研究所檇 probably stay in bed all day,害羞草研究所� he said.

His niece Cora Driscoll lives a few blocks away from Harding in Courtenay, where he lives by himself in a small bungalow.

害羞草研究所淗e害羞草研究所檚 so positive. He害羞草研究所檚 got such a good outlook on life,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淗e害羞草研究所檚 just amazing.害羞草研究所�