Licensed drivers over the age of 65 should be required to undergo medical tests every six months to ensure their fitness for operating a motor vehicle, suggested an anti-crime non-governmental organisation, Bernama reports, following a video taken last week of a driver travelling on the New Pantai Expressway in the wrong direction.
The driver involved in the incident was believed to be suffering from dementia and has hearing difficulties, the report said. “For an elderly person, driving in today’s stressful conditions can be rather straining and tiring,” said founder of Malaysians Against Rape, Assault and Snatch Theft (Marah), Dave Avran.
“Drivers should not pose any problem to other road users. If people can take all of these in their stride, then there is no reason for him/her to quit driving. But the medical test will ensure peace of mind for themselves, their loved ones won’t have to constantly worry about them, and other road users will feel safe too,” he added.
There are currently no laws prohibiting a person from driving beyond a certain age, and consequently he or she is legally allowed to drive for as long as the person feels able to do so, Avran said. What do you think, dear readers? Should this suggestion be put forth into legislation, or will it become an unnecessary imposition?
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What about the 19 year old model who caused the death of a motorcyclist last year? Now everyone should go for medical checkups
TRUE！！！ my neighbor who is elder always park his car not in line and some how crash others car with no Regret even worst case is some more show you angry face which his car suppose to park such big place because of his parking skill !!!! ..
All sorts of selfish people causing nuisance. Can only blame why Government don’t address this issue after 60-years independence? Only wants to rule,but never make citizens progressive on right path.
Betui betui. Like Einstein said, A fish rots from the head down.
Really? Gov fault? Never driver problem? What a stupid conclusion. This is the same problem faced elsewhere like US and UK. Ur gonna blame their gov too as well?
Another bodoh suggestion. Can I remind people that Dementia and Alzheimers can even strike people at 35 and above. Infact many people already develop such symptoms at such an early age.
So, how are we going to do tests on 35 and above? People need to think before they shoot their mouth.
Anyway, pity this uncle. I feel sorry for him. Many nasty people online condemn him, especially facebook. But poor man.
I advice those nasty people, go and read on Dementia and Alzheimers. It is 100% not the uncle’s fault nor his family fault.
Sometimes things like this happen. It is a rare occurrence. It does not happen daily. So, no need to implement all sorts of tests. Like I said, how you gonna test 35 yrs and above?
And like FOMEMA, some lucky fellow will get the contract to do tests and become billionaire.
90% of Dementia and Alzheimer suffers are over 60 year old. My relatives have them. And its extremely common in Asia who is over the ages of 60. Anything below that age are extremely rare, not saying its didn’t happen but very very rare. And I support the 6 months test as mandatory/compulsory for the age of 60. 1000%
Best cure for Dementia & Alzheimer is make more comments in PT.org. It will make U think & write better bcos engaging with john will help… a lot.
Well, god knows i try my best to help them. Poor things.
Based on 20 years spent at local transport thinktank. Other than free medical checkups & safer roads, elderly drivers who gave up licences should obtain free travel pass for all public transports & grab in addition RM700 mthly voucher to kedai rakyat Malaysia
Think before we comment… as we will getting old one day. Have a nice day.
Nothing wrong driving at even 80..this is a one off case..wat about the 20 year woman who kiiled a driver..20 ywar old no need medical checkup?? Wth….talking kok most of the time this ppl..
Who says there is anything wrong?
Think before you comment, as Paul Tan Fans said above. Read also what Leafable said.
This is a suggestion for risk mitigation.
Hahaha…..That one need to drug test?
Why target senior citizens? They just want to get through their twilight years as happily as they can, and you want to make extra laws that apply only to them? Not all of them have stable source of income. So how are they going to pay for the tests? How about drivers who speed or drive recklessly, no matter what age they are? Will everyone need to take medical test?
Honestly, in the future, self driving cars will be prelavent. Which means the car itself will prevent any occurences of dangerous driving. If you don’t signal, the car will not turn. If there is unbroken demarcation lines, the car will not allow you to cross it. If you speed, the car will slow itself down to the speed limit. Maybe the act of driving itself may be banned. Its not something most people here will want, but it’s probably for our own good. So yeah maybe technology will sort us out.
Why this double standard? If they cant drive, are gov going to give extra money to cost for their transportation especially current cost of living is already so high?
Also every 6 month also a bit too much.
Uber taxi la hello, Petrol and toll fee will cost you almost the same as the taxi fees that you will be paying. Plus,you don’t have to drive,don’t have to worry about finding parking,don’t have to send your car to service when it’s due.
I will suggest to get every driver for medical checkup or at least blood test before their licence can be renew.
a lot youngster having drug abuse…really alarming…but no action taken…even police knew about it…but also no action taken… if enforce this, i think most of them will drive/ride without license, u think they care?? lol..if they see the road block, they all just turn-around/stop!!
If not mistaken, it is covered by Malaysian law that anyone above the age of 70 is not fit to drive. That is the rule of thumb, no doubt now health quality has improved a lot and cars nowadays are a lot easier to drive with power steering and automatic gearbox
No. Its never mentioned in any JPJ rulebook. Only when u dun renew lesen, then its illegal to drive
The menace on the roads are the mat rempits . What is being done about that?
Generally, the older drivers drive carefully and courteously.
Likewise, a speed limit of 110km/hr reflects that they are somewhat compromised in their daily faculty functions over some illness, sickness and bodily impairment. Come on, raise the speed limit. If you don’t raise the speed limit, it indicates you are not fit to dry.
medical tests apa? yg duk bawa kete moto gilerr babi serta jln red light,.. semua umur 20 tahun kebawah,. kinda the standard mentality of Malaysia peepZzz. aduhhhh
Ini semua salah education gagal…
Whatever kind of ‘crap’ test also, Malaysian motorists regardless of age shouldn’t be allowed to drive and ride (they are too crazy and dangerous to do so). Nevertheless, automatic car drivers (old folks or person with physical disability in automatic cars can be excused) in this country are 10 times worse since they can drive with one hand, some with eyes on the phone thinking that ‘ASA’ can save their ass regularly).
Motorcyclists most busy pipu of all. Only hv time for chatting while riding on the roads..
In Malaysia, nothing is illegal or problematic until disaster strikes……..
We can kawtim. Everything.
e-hailing apps should give 50% discount to senior citizens age 60 and above. this will help them to move around.
i agree with this statement
JPJ should revise back the license that they give to this age range, because it happen to anywhere elderly (not all) just went out without looking right n left, just parking like their own road, not pay attention while driving, driving at low speed in fast lane, and many other thing
What about those motorcyclists who ride against traffic. Thousands of them do it EVERYDAY.
Do we send all motorcyclists for those tests too?
Statistically, how many road accidents/incidents involved 65 and above? Who are the major contributors to road accidents and near misses on the highways? Motorcyclist don’t use allotted lanes, zigzag on highways without helmet. Motorist don’t know where the L-R batang when changing lanes! Heavy vehicles runs like kings on the road. 4wheel drive, pickups, jeeps…….like road bullies….. Mr. NGO…what say u?
Whatever test la……There are also lots of druggies riding bikes like crazy, driving buses, etc….
This problem has been going on for ages…..What has been done so far?? Nothin effective I must say….
and now, medical test pulak? To enrich some cronies and well-linked politicians for their personal gains…
In Ontario Canada, drivers aged 80 and above need to switch to a different license which require vision checks and a driver’s review every 2 years.
But that’s at 80 y.o. and plenty of people are still fit at 65. The intentions behind this medical test suggestion are good but needs more refinement.
Perhaps a vision test + review is a good idea after a certain age (maybe 70?) and for those who are no longer fit to drive due to age, they should be granted additional concessions for public transit fares.
Yes there are reckless youths causing accidents too but that’s where license suspensions should kick in. There is no one-size-fit-all solution for all types of infractions by different types of drivers. Different countermeasures need to be used for different situations; therefore comparing an elderly vs youth causing accidents is moot as they are entirely different scenarios.