KUALA LUMPUR – Police have proposed that the government limit the issuance of motor vehicle licences to senior citizens.
Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department director Datuk Azisman Alias said this is because the health condition of seniors may be a contributing factor to road accidents.
The elderly also need to undergo a medical check-up and get a doctor’s approval confirming that they are fit to drive, he said.
“As people age, they are more likely to suffer from health conditions such as Alzheimer’s and blurred vision, which can cause accidents on the road,” he told a press conference at Bukit Aman today.
“There was a case where a senior citizen drove in the motorcycle lane.
“The government needs to study the issuance of vehicle licences to senior citizens.”
He said it is not suitable for a 70-year-old to renew their driving licence for a five-year period due to the age factor.
He also suggested that Putrajaya come out with a policy so that low-powered motorcycles do not make excessive noise, given that some owners modify their machines’ exhaust in breach of the set specifications.
Azisman said motorcycle accidents are still a major contributor to traffic fatalities in the country at 70%, or 2,075 deaths, from January to August.
This is followed by crashes involving cars (450 deaths), pedestrians (168), lorries (87), bicycles (54), four-wheel drives (53) and buses (1). – Bernama, September 24, 2021
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