Editor's Note: The headline of this article has been updated for improved accuracy.
PETALING JAYA: The rising number of road accidents involving elderly drivers in Malaysia could be reduced if additional conditions are introduced for renewing driving licenses for seniors.
One possible condition is that senior citizens aged 65 and above who still wish to drive must undergo a competency and health assessment, as there is currently no maximum age limit for driving on the road.
This requirement is already implemented in several countries, including Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Australia, the United States, and the UK, which do not ban elderly drivers but require additional conditions for renewing their licenses.
Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) director-general Dr Siti Zaharah Ishak said if the number of accidents involving elderly drivers cannot be controlled with the current provisions, it is possible that additional assessments for licence renewals could be introduced.
She said current regulations in Malaysia only set a minimum age for driving eligibility without specifying a maximum age limit.
However, Section 30(3) of the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333) mandates that drivers ensure they are in a healthy condition to drive.
She explained that while this provision is considered sufficient to ensure that at-risk individuals do not drive, it does not prevent healthy and capable elderly drivers from continuing to do so.
This measure would require cooperation from various parties, including the Road Transport Department, health institutions, the elderly themselves, and their families.
Currently, the licence renewal period for senior citizens is typically 10 years, but in other countries, it is reduced to two or three years for easier periodic assessments.
The rising number of elderly involved in road accidents is concerning.
In 2020, elderly drivers (aged 60 and above) involved in accidents was 8.9 per cent, which increased to 9.2 per cent in 2021, and 12 per cent in 2022.
This is partly due to the growing elderly population. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), the elderly population reached 3.3 million (10.3 per cent) in 2020, rising to 3.5 million (10.7 per cent) in 2021, and is projected to exceed 3.8 million (11.3 per cent) in 2023.
Siti Zaharah emphasised that possessing a driving licence represents a sense of freedom for elderly people and promotes healthy ageing. However, she acknowledged that some elderly individuals may not realise 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.