According to reports by Berita Harian and NST, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) is proposing special conditions be imposed to limit the issuance of driving licences to senior citizens. This includes requiring senior citizens to undergo a doctor’s examination to ensure they are healthy to drive.
Bukit Aman traffic investigation and enforcement department (JSPT) director Datuk Azisman Alias said such a move would help protect elderly drivers as well as other road users. He explained that poor health is one of the causes of road accidents, with diseases such as Alzheimer’s and deteriorating eyesight being problems typically faced by the elderly.
“We see cases of driving against the flow of traffic being a trend, and there are cases involving the elderly aged 60 and 70 years and above. This can indirectly cause accidents on the road,” he said.
“Some senior citizens aged 70 and above are forgetful and senile, and most cases of driving against the traffic flow involving this group is because of wrongfully entering a road. There was a case previously where an elderly driver entered a motorcycle lane,” he added.
Azisman suggested that elderly drivers should only be allowed to renew their licences provided they receive a confirmation from a doctor stating that they mentally and physical capable to drive. He added that the licence renewal period for elderly drivers should be shortened. “Currently, driving licenses can be renewed for up to five years. If a 70-year-old senior renews his driving licence for five years, it is not suitable at all due to age,” he commented.
The idea of requiring elderly drivers to fulfil certain criteria before being allowed to drive isn’t new. For example, in Singapore, drivers who are 65 years of age and above are required to undergo a medical examination with a registered doctor within the two months prior to their birthday to validate their driving licence. Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Drugs and alcohol kill more than Alzheimer’s and poor eyesight.
Exactly agree brah. TunM still fit to drive car then many younger ppl. TunM still fit to lead the country. Rakyat support TunM as PM10.
Drugs and alcohol also killed more than Covid yearly. What’s your point?
There are many contributory factors beside age.
What about all the motorcyclists who drive against traffic??? I presume they’re fit to go on the road… doesn’t prevent them from being a hazard to others.
Most road accidents are not caused by geriatric drivers…. Just bad drivers.. Yes there are older drivers who may suffer poorer eyesight and have slower reactions, and there may be a need to have medical examinations for extending driving licenses beyond a certain age, but I think by and large, they know their limitations ( they don’t drive at night, they don’t race etc). I know plenty of seventy year olds who are a lot safer on the road than younger drivers..
For 80 yrs and above maybe. Those below 80 are still generally very alert and healthy. Anyway the isolated cases of these senior citizens causing accidents are negligible(very very few)compared to those caused by the negligence and recklessness of non-senior citizens, especially those from the teens to the middle-aged.
Can agree with this one i.e. more motorcyclists involved in accidents than older (car) drivers
Will this applies to all citizens and not selected ones. Like ministers are exempted from the requirements? etc.
Ministers do not drive their cars you see
Well, if so, why do Ministers need to renew their driving license then ?
For entry into pubs & clubs, some of them look so young they might be mistaken for underage students when going to their favourite joints.
I feel it’s a very good and valid suggestion. The doctor’s fee for this test must be fixed by the government. At the same time our driving classes for new drivers must include defensive driving.
Show us by statistics that accidents in the road are mainly caused by the seniors . Checkups for eyesight n body health should be free.
Checkups should be for those above 70 and mandatory for those who had caused an accident before whatever the age.
Singapore has all the statistics to show.
Keep saying Spore. Still sleeping or what? Halo… This is Malaysia!!
I don’t agree. Breach of human freedom. And don’t talk of Singapore. They are a different school of fish entirely.
Show statistics, don’t just talk BS.
Otherwise, I think you are Senile too
Promote safety is good.
But how to prevent corruption?
Doctor approval ni, percaya ka?
If such incidents were to happen the doctor is liable to be hauled to court, make it such they would be more responsible in issuing out letters of approval.
I think the road markings need to be improved.
It will not only help all the motorcyclist, drivers, but also the development and implementation of Autonomous Driving.
This is healthily impactful, safer yet beneficial.
Nowadays new signboards sprung up on the roads and highway are rather confusing even directional signs.
Please educate the sub standard technical assistants and engineers working inside public works department to draw up good proper legitimate visible road signs easily to driver’s eye sight ( not cover by tree leaves or branches )before any entry and exit points.
The main cause of this is due to non visible road directional road signages .
Look at developed countries in USA, CANADA , JAPAN and Europe , even senior citizens aged 80 years old still drive better than junior aggressive drivers with less road accidents . In fact senior citizens are better drivers there with lower accident rate compare to younger.
It is our “NASI LEMAK ” GOVERNMENT Transport ministry that need to be overhauled and be educated. The police force that need to be overhauled and be educated .All blaming others but not themselves
What about those Grab drivers and Grab food delivers entering roads in opposite direction that causes accidents and yet go free ? Should we imposed medical check up for these unfit grab drivers and Grab food deliveries too with no respect for red lights and entering roads in opposite direction to traffic too????
Why are these being ignored by our “Nasi Lemak ” JSPT TOTALLY ?? why , why why??
Western countries are also considering to mandate senior citizen to undergo screening tests before license renewals. Too many cases of these old geezers driving on wrong side of the road and ended up in national news with helicopter chase footage.
Nothing wrong to explore further.There must be proper statistics to show how many seniors are prone to erractic driving ,and perhaps go for medical checkups.
However,I hope the authorities at present conduct regular”DADAH AND ALCOHOL” campaigns to weed out those driving under such influence.
Lately,a young driver under the influence of dadah has been driving against traffic,causing 2 innocent lives.
Last year,another lady Myvi driver under dadah smashed into a Honda accord at high speed at a Johor traffic light.
And many more such horror stories.
And please,please dont announce when you have besar besaran roadblocks.Just do it unannounced,give these speeding gonzalez a surprise.
In this case the government clinic will have extra load to be in line with the regulation. A special test department has to be set up for the seniors.
If we managed to setup a national Covid screening & vaccination service to all 30million + 2 million others, I’m sure KKM is well capabled to setup the same system for mere couple of million.
In case you don’t know, most of the large PPVs are outsourced to private companies like Protect Health, Klinik Uzma etc. MOH has not got enough resources….even my 2-doses were administered by private sub-contractors.
And your points is… what? Doesn’t that mean it is possible? Safety lah bro. Think safety first.
About time they do this.
You not old enough to understand. Most road kills are failure of cops yo carry out their duties. Look at the mat rempits. Can give 2fingers to the cops
Do you have statistics for that? Dun just talk
Show statistic please. I am more convinced that most accidents are caused mainly by drugs, alcohol influence, and hardcore serial traffic offenders.
Singapore has all the statistics to show.
Keep saying Spore. Still sleeping or what? Halo… This is Malaysia!!!
And so? Are Singaporeans driving on right side of road? Do they have 4 seasons like europe? Are they at the other side of the globe? Singapore findings is nearly as relevant as doing it ourself but with 100X more credibility bro.
Hello PDRM you should be giving tickets for fellas who don’t use turn signal on the road and people that have their tail light or brake light out. Will make roads much more safer
Right move to go, if we have minimum age limit to get driving license as we grow and learned to drive , we should have another age limit to get driving capabilities/physical state examined and approved once we got to certain age.
Also get the driving capabilities reexamined for those who suffers permanent injuries and mental disorders.
if that ruling comes into reality, a senior citizen will soon cannot review cars on genting roads doing touge.
Is the PDRM suggestion based on a comprehensive study? I don’t think so.
Most elderly people might prefer to take Grab.
They might drive short distances just to remain physically and mentally active and alert.
I know elderly people who have driven all their lives without getting into an accident or receiving a parking ticket or traffic summons.
Comprehensively studied by Singapore counterparts if you read the whole report.
The cops can’t even Control the mat rempit.
For 80 yrs and above maybe. Those below 80 are still generally very alert and healthy. Anyway the isolated cases of these senior citizens causing accidents are negligible(very very few)compared to those caused by the negligence and recklessness of non-senior citizens, especially those from the teens to the middle-aged.
Silly and short sighted, statistics don’t lie, humans do.Highest no. of accidents are caused by younger drivers between 17-35.Why don’twe fix this by increasing insurances for this age group and punitive penalties for recalcitrant youth that cause death & destruction,our per capita accident rate tells a story of trauma of untold suffering of surviving relatives & family.Fix this 1st before barking up the wrong tree, spend money on education & create programs for CSR engagements for frequent errant drivers. That goes a long way in reducing death,stop silly political & feel good statements as it is only an exercise in showcasing our stupidity to relevant data & stats on accident, death & accidents.
The PDRM take zero action on motorcycles beating red lights, riding with zero sense and delivery companies take zero responsibility. They rather watch them die but the problem is they kill others on the road as well. More crazy male drivers kill people on the road vs any old people. Get your priorities straight and Malaysian men, learn how to drive you suck at it.
i strongly suggest that the age limit for renewal of driving licence is 60years old. as i saw alot of cases throught my driving experience, alot make dangerous maneuvering. some go against the driving law
It’s about damn time they implemented this. Anyone above than 80 is a timebomb on the roads. If they are healthy to drive, prove it to the doctor.
As the say goes, you think it’s your grandfather road arr?
Ride the kapchai so slow yet noisy and hogging the road.
I think all categories age should go for medical check up before license is renew. To be fair to all.
Great, more opportunities to cari makan, wink wink..
So you prefer everyone to be Mad Max on the road, I see.
Should make aeb standard features on all cars instead of asking old people go see doctor
PDRM should back claims with facts and statistics.
Senior citizens are mostly retirees hence all costs to undergo medical exam ought to be borne by the government!
This proposal will never be approved. What will the kampung folks say? Mana prihatin? Are they willing to lose election? On the other hand, people over 60 should not be allowed to drive commercial vehicles
I disagree with the proposal. In most cases the elderly would unlikely drive – they are not stupid. What PDRM, if they want to engage the public on safety is to educate drivers not to drive WITHOUT LIGHTS so as not to endanger everyone.
Poor enforcement is one of the main factors in law violations, which is the cause of accidents. Therefore, I recommend limiting the age of enforcers. The age factor of enforcement is also among the reasons for enforcement weaknesses.
Drugs and alcohol involve majority of the younger aged drivers. That’s his point.
you just stop for a while at the traffic light, see how delivery boys break the traffic light rule. I am sure you see at least 1 will break it.
Good, I always see old age people act innocent and drive like maniac otr. Mamu grey haired or white hair driver dont signal, dont stop at junction, and like to cut directly. Teksi driver especially those old one also very rude driver. They know when something happen they can act old innocent and passerby will stamd with them.
Tuan,
Eradicate duit kopi culture & lesen kopi, firstly. Cakap tak serupa bikin…TCSS
PDRM need to get medical check up for diementia. they forgotten about mat rempit, druged drivers, bikers and cars that run over red light traffics.
Pity the police chief. Sudah tua dan nyanyuk. biak jangan continue jadi chief… bahaya kepada rakyat rakyat jelata.
JSPT is not the police chief
JSPT is not police chief tapi police chief (aka boss PDRM) kasi JSPT make this statement… betul?
please let elderly people drive as cannot depend on their
children or others they need to be independent.kindly do not inforce this type of law for all this years no such law
why after 64 years want to implement such a law. Most of the accidents incurred due to mostly by youngsters likewise
elder people more carefully
They should support the allegations with credible statistics authenticated by organizations such as Motor Insurers Bureau, Persatuan Insurans Am and other relevant bodies.
Typical Malaysia top guns’ mindset. Impromptu proposal without statistics data to support. Making decision based on few motor accident cases is horrible and highly irresponsible. Not convincing at all. If unfortunately it is adopted, the inconvenience and all the red tape will affect the whole population sooner or later, not to forget when these top guns aged pass 70 (Don’t tell me that there’s double standard in implementation). Hence better do more homework to analyze the root causes of all the accident happened in recent few years. Driving test (whole process) quality, JPJ stuff character n quality, drivers’ personality n habit, safety awareness n education, road conditions n maintenance, signboard clarity n location, enforcement, …… are among the factors to be looked at. Impartial investigation is crucial to the success in truly reducing motor accident in the future. For
Can we know what the doctors will be required to check and certify? Will there be a driving re-test as well?
Will the same criteria be applied to youngsters who are applying for a driving licence?
You can even tackle mat Rempit and grab , lala move and panda food motorcyclist who behaves like gangster and wild on the road, now you want to talk about old senior citizens , something not right with this suggestion . How many accidents cause by seniors show the comparative data to the proof
Then how are Senior Citizens going to get their food stuffs n other daily needs, going to place of worships, meeting friends etc.
Not all but some Senior Citizens live alone n care fir their own needs too.
At the same time they are no longer in the earning
Capacity n how are they going to pay for high charges for ehailing transportation which is skyrocketing these days. (Check on all these first n do not penalise the Senior Citizens from driving)
Do not expect them to take buses as punctuality matters too n need comfort to travel as well at their age too. They need to get down and walk to their destinations as well which is not a stones’s throw away.
Hard to believe the young, do not meet any accidents n what about motorcyclist are also annoying n a menace and a major cause of accidents too.
Increase the driving licence age to 21 years.
Do something abt cars parked along roadsides narrowing the roads n also major cause of aciidents too.
Why don’t PDRM make a study to see the what malnly causes road accidents. It is NOT old age!! Leave the seniors alone and do more fruitful works.
Agree with you but not at the age of 60. People with alzheimer are mostly 75 yrs and above. Get your statistics from the MMA. What about the mat rempit and youngster racing with motorbikes and doing all kind of stunts. It’s comon sight for us witnessing young food delivery boys and other motorcyclist beating traffic lights and going against traffic. If you talk about road safety you should address all problems, driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Some young drivers don’t even know the driving, highway code and road safety rules. The don’t know who’s right of way at the roundabout. Get your facts right before deciding.