Senior Driving in Malaysia: A Proposal for the Elderly on the Road

According to The Strait Times, Malaysia is proposing that its elderly citizens undergo additional assessments when renewing their driver’s licenses.

This move by the Malaysian government aims to gradually reduce the number of accidents involving elderly drivers, which has been on the rise recently.

Dr. Siti Zaharah Ishak, Director-General of the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research, suggested that solutions could include mandatory capacity and health evaluations for the elderly before license renewal.

The female doctor stated that these conditions may come into effect if the current regulations are insufficient to curb the increasing number of accidents involving older drivers.

Since 2020, Malaysia has witnessed a consistent increase in the number of accidents involving drivers aged 60 and above. This percentage rose from 8.9% in 2020 to 9.2% in 2021 and then to 12% in 2022.

“Age can impact physical fitness and driving abilities, including limitations in vision and hearing. Slower reaction times, stiff joints, and weak muscles can all hinder safe driving,” remarked Dr. Siti Zaharah Ishak.

However, she also noted that possessing a driver’s license gives a sense of freedom to the elderly and promotes healthy aging.

Currently, Malaysia only has a minimum age requirement of 17 years for driving a car and 16 years for riding a motorcycle, with no maximum age limit. Driver’s licenses in the country can be renewed for a maximum period of 10 years.

Malaysia’s Road Safety Act also stipulates that drivers must ensure they meet the medical fitness requirements for driving. According to Dr. Siti Zaharah Ishak, some individuals may not realize that their ability to drive safely has diminished as they age.

In the event that these proposals are implemented, Dr. Siti Zaharah Ishak believes that collaboration from multiple parties will be necessary to ensure feasibility, including the road transport department, healthcare institutions, the elderly themselves, and their families.

Back in February, the Chairman of the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research called on the government to introduce mandatory medical checks for those aged 65 and above seeking to renew their driver’s licenses.

In July, Anthony Loke, Malaysia’s Transport Minister, stated that there were no plans to impose age limits for driving in the country.

At that time, the Ministry of Transport had conducted a road safety study, which revealed that about 30% of drivers over 60 years of age were still operating vehicles on the road.

However, speaking at a press conference on November 25, Minister Loke expressed that the Ministry of Transport welcomes the proposal to require those aged 65 and above to undergo assessments before license renewal.

“There will be significant implications. We need to consider the pros and cons of the proposal before introducing any new regulations,” concluded the Transport Minister.

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