The Malaysian Insight

AGE should not be the limiting criterion for driving licence renewal, but rather poor health or disease that could affect anyone at any age, senior citizens said.

The elderly with dementia, as well as anyone with poor eyesight or other diseases that affect eye-hand coordination are already prevented from driving, and as such, age is not the real consideration, they said.

Bobby John, 61, an English and History tuition teacher in Selangor, said many friends in his age group drive as part of their daily routine.

“A lot of people in their 60s are still fit. Although some would have high blood pressure or diabetes, surely that shouldn’t stop you from driving.

“Those who are already diagnosed with dementia should already know by default they are banned on the road,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

He and other seniors interviewed disagreed with the recent proposal by Bukit Aman traffic police chief Azisman Alias that elderly drivers undergo a health assessment programme before they can renew their licences.

John and other seniors also feel that driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, as well as speeding, are still the main causes of most fatal road accidents. Police should focus on enforcement against such cases, he said.

“If at all seniors should do a test, the only test required is the eye test as some may be affected by the glare of lights.

“However, usually, we will know ourselves if we are fit to drive,” John said.

Another senior citizen who only wished to be known as Azmi agreed, adding that even younger drivers suffer from illnesses that may prevent them from driving.

Azmi said Azisman’s proposal affecting senior citizens should be subjected to a thorough study and be supported by evidence on the factors that cause accidents.

“Stopping us from driving will not make the roads safer. In fact, without old people like us acting as ‘speed humps’ with our slow driving, the youth will have a freer road,” the 69-year-old said.

“Over the years, law enforcement has tried a lot of things, such as imposing fines, setting up speed traps, but all this still failed to deter road accidents because it boils down to driving attitude that needs to be fixed,” Azmi added.

He said education is needed instead for “stubborn” drivers who continue to text while driving, or who refuse to use signal lights when changing lanes.

Sixty-four year old Lee Lai Heng, however, agreed with Azisman’s proposal for those aged above 80.

The retiree from the telecommunications industry also said the government must sponsor the test for mental and physical check-ups of elderly drivers as some of them have financial difficulties.

After Azisman’s proposal drew protests, Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said it was merely his personal opinion and nothing had been decided.

Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong said the proposal was discriminatory, and needed inclusive discussions with all stakeholders before any decision is made on a policy change. – September 30, 2021.