Differing views on medical test idea for elderly drivers

SENIOR citizens are having mixed feelings on calls for a mandatory medical examination for those aged 65 and above wanting to renew their driving licence.

Business owner Lee Kwan Tet, 65, said the government must ensure the system, once implemented, was not compromised.

Lee said for instance, there were reported cases of individuals paying for the Covid-19 vaccination digital certification, between 2020 and 2022, without receiving jabs.

He said apart from calling for the mandatory medical check-up for senior citizens, Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) should also look at fatal road accidents involving youngsters and drunk drivers.

Lee says the government must ensure there are no loopholes in the mandatory medical check-up.

“It is sad when reading the news or postings on social media platforms of innocent people losing their lives because of other people’s carelessness,” said Lee.

Miros chairman Prof Dr Wong Shaw Voon had said the move was important to promote road safety and accurately evaluate senior citizens’ fitness to drive.

While the recorded instances of dangerous driving involving senior citizens currently stands at between 10 and 40 cases from 2021 to 2023, it was necessary for senior citizens to undergo such examinations, he said.

Taxi driver K. Gengadhran, 65, who agreed with Miros, suggested that the age be set at 60 years old instead of 65.

He said some senior citizens started having non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as stroke, heart disease, diabetes, chronic lung disease and mental health issues largely due to their diet or sedentary lifestyle.

Gengadhran suggests that the mandatory medical examination should start from 60 years.

Gengadhran, who suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure, said those working in the service sector like him, shouldered the responsibility to ensure to take their prescribed medication.

Housewife Fauziah Hamzah, 69, however, is against Miros’ idea for a mandatory medical examination.

“Do not impose rulings that inconvenience the rakyat without first getting our feedback or input,” she said.

Fauziah said there were many aspects that the government had to look into before making the medical check-up mandatory.

Fauziah: Not all children are obliged to look after or drive their parents around.

This included senior citizens who lived away from their children and have to drive a car or ride a motorcycle to get around.

“Not all children are obliged to look after or drive their parents around,” added Fauziah.

She said another factor the government had to consider was whether senior citizens lived in areas where public transportation services were accessible.

Those living in areas with poor public transportation service would be terribly inconvenienced if they could not rely on their own vehicles to run errands, she added.