In 2020, 8.9% of road accidents involved elderly drivers aged 60 and up. The next year it became 9.2%, and the following year it was 12%, Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) director-general Dr Siti Zaharah Ishak told the New Straits Times.
She said that the rise in road accidents involving elderly drivers in the country could be curbed if additional conditions are introduced for renewal of their driving licences.
One possible way is to require senior citizens aged 65 and up to undergo a competency and health assessment before their licences can be renewed, she said, citing Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Australia, the US and the UK as countries that do this without banning senior drivers outright.
Likewise, there is no driver age limit in Malaysia (neither are there plans to introduce it), but Section 30(3) of the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333) mandates that drivers ensure they are in a healthy condition to drive.
This provision could be sufficient to ensure those at risk do not drive, but it does not stop healthy and capable elderly drivers from continuing to do so, Siti Zaharah explained.
This measure would require cooperation from various parties including the Road Transport Department (JPJ), health institutions, the elderly themselves and their families. The maximum licence renewal period for senior citizens is 10 years in Malaysia, but two or three years in other countries.
Although she understands the sense of freedom a driving licence gives the elderly, Siti Zaharah said that some of them may not realise that their ability to drive safely has been compromised.
“Aging can affect fitness and driving ability, including vision and hearing limitations, slower reaction times, joint stiffness, and muscle weakness, all of which can hinder safe driving,” she said.
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By 2050 tak siap siap lagi
screening untuk MP dulu yer
12% involved elderly. Then 88% involved whom ? So restrictions should be on the 88 or 12 ?
The more urgent task is rounding up all the blardy “killer” lorries (esp the container ones n tipper trucks ).
Drivers on dadah n boost are more dangerous than your average datuk or nenek.
Also there should be operasi on the idiotic 4 wheel drive vehicles,when driven at high speed n overtaking 4 cars in a row.
Good one!
Habis lah Dr. M punya lesen
PMX, Jibby, Wak jahit, Hadi, LKS also warga emas categories
I fully support the idea of mandatory physical and mental assessments for driver’s license renewals, especially for older adults. This isn’t about age discrimination; it’s about prioritizing safety. Even as technology advances, human drivers still need to be fit to operate a vehicle. By ensuring drivers are physically and mentally capable, we can make our roads safer for everyone.
The present law is very much sufficient, don’t trouble the elderly people, we enjoy driving after retirement
Another move to menyusahkan rakyat…ingat check up tu free ke? Maybe should focus on the 88%,not the 12%. Tak tahan nak tunggu next election…not one policy yang menyenangkan…terlalu mengejarkan duit, rakyat hidup stress. Dahlah nak memendekkan annual leave…aih kerajaan paling teruk di Malaysia
The elderly has never been a major cause of accidents. Instead, Lorry drivers high on drugs. Shouldn’t the focus be on these first? Enforce daily tox-screening of fleet drivers. If they are on drugs, bar them from driving that day. This is what Japan does. If a driver belonging to a certain company broke rules, make the company accountable.
I dont see how penalizing the elderly is more important than tackling reckless drivers.
Totally agree with brother here
Shouldn’t there also be reassessment for BMW and Merc drivers so they use their signal lights. Even old people know how to use their signal lights.
ada share grab ker? hahaha
Those who already renewed 10 years ??? Anyway, its also better to test IQ. Younger driver doesn’t mean drives or rides with brain though. And please implement merit deduction for those who got AES.
Another move to menyusahkan rakyat…ingat check up tu free ke? Maybe should focus on the 88%,not the 12%. Tak tahan nak tunggu next election…not one policy yang menyenangkan…terlalu mengejarkan duit, rakyat hidup stress. Dahlah nak memendekkan annual leave…aih kerajaan paling teruk di Malaysia
“In 2020, 8.9% of road accidents involved elderly drivers aged 60 and up. The next year it became 9.2%, and the following year it was 12%, Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) director-general Dr Siti Zaharah Ishak told the New Straits Times.”
Words and numbers are free and anyone can say anything…
Why not she share the data in CSV format so that anyone can use excel to analyse the data..
“In 2020, 8.9% of road accidents involved elderly drivers aged 60 and up. The next year it became 9.2%, and the following year it was 12%, Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) director-general Dr Siti Zaharah Ishak told the New Straits Times. ”
How did she get her doctorate when she cant even see the elephant in the room( the 88%)
must be from the hundreds of phd students dished out yearly from UPM!!