The rise in road accidents involving elderly drivers in Malaysia has sparked calls for stricter licence renewal conditions for seniors.
Dr. Siti Zaharah Ishak, Director-General of MIROS, suggested that additional assessments, such as health and competency checks for drivers aged 65 and above, may be necessary if the trend continues.
In countries like Japan, Singapore, UK and more, senior drivers undergo regular evaluations every two or three years instead of Malaysia’s 10-year renewal period.
While driving promotes independence for the elderly, ageing-related issues such as slower reaction times and vision impairments can affect safety.
Currently, Malaysian law does not set a maximum age for driving, although Section 30(3) of the Road Transport Act 1987 requires drivers to ensure they are fit to drive which does not address the specific risks of ageing drivers.
Data also shows that elderly drivers (aged 60 and above) were involved in 8.9% of road accidents in 2020 however it rose to 12% in 2022. This increase coincides with a growing elderly population, projected to exceed 3.8 million in 2023.
Source: NSTP