Ability not age matters for senior citizen drivers

Regular medical tests would help keep seniors safe on the road, say experts.

PETALING JAYA: Recent road accidents involving senior citizens have re-ignited debates over whether they should re-sit the driving test and go for a mandatory medical check-up.

A 70-year-old man crashed into a bank in Damansara Uptown, Petaling Jaya on January 18; an 80-year-old taxi driver went missing in Kajang on January 20; and a 61-year-old woman crashed her car into a convenience store of a petrol station in Petaling Jaya on February 3.

According to Federal traffic police, 556 people, over the age of 60 died in road accidents in 2013 and this was about 11% of total fatalities. This was an increase of 7% compared to 2012.

Taxi driver Nordin Mohd Som, 68, said re-testing senior citizens was a good move. “A re-test is for our own good and also for everybody’s good,” he said in a report on The Star Online.

Nordin said that drivers over the age of 60 must re-sit the driving test, undergo thorough medical tests and be evaluated psychologically.

But Road Safety Department director-general Tam Weng Wah believed regular traffic offenders rather than senior citizens should re-sit the driving test.

“As long as the drivers are healthy and fit to drive, they should be allowed to,” said Tam.

However Tan noted that there might be a need for older drivers to be made better aware of dangers on the road and to be fully equipped mentally and physically.

While senior citizens in Britain and Singapore have to re-sit the driving test, there is no such regulation in Malaysia.

British drivers must renew their driving licence upon the age of 70 and every three years from then on while Singaporeans aged 65 have to undergo an annual medical examination and then a proficiency driving test to validate their driving licence.

In Malaysia, the Institute of Road Safety (Miros) has recommended different frequency of medical check-ups for drivers below 45 and above 45.

“This requirement is specifically for the commercial vehicle drivers group,” said Miros.

Miros director-general Wong Shaw Voon said it was important that all drivers were fit to drive.

“Private car drivers should go for medical check-ups and it is important for proper screening. This is to ensure that they are safe on the roads and do not endanger others,” said Wong.

Consultant psychologist Andrew Mohanraj said there was a need to make a proper assessment on a senior citizen’s ability to drive.

“Obviously eye sight needs to be tested, (and) muscle strength (tested) to ensure proper motor functions like applying the right amount of brake pressure.”

Mohanraj said there must also be proper information processing and right reactive time to ensure integration of memory, visual and motor functions.

Yassin Hamzah, 64, however said that while older people most likely dealt with some degree of emotional stress, most of his friends had no problems driving.

“Instead of a re-test, an awareness campaign should be done to ensure that they maintain their focus. Family members should also monitor them.

“If they are 80% not fit to drive, they should stop them driving. The authorities should conduct an annual check-up for them.”

Zahir Abdullah, 70, said anyone, regardless of age, was prone to lapses of concentration.

“Would you prefer to follow a 21-year-old man who is not sober or a 70-year-old who had a good rest?” asked Zahir, a former teacher.

“What the authorities should do is have an eye-test for people above 60 and also see if they are fit to drive, mentally and physically. Those check-ups are more important than a driving re-test.”