After Mile 3 car crash, FB users wrangle over driving fitness of the elderly

KUCHING (Aug 2): A road accident here yesterday, involving multiple cars, has sparked a fresh debate on social media over whether the elderly should be allowed behind the wheel.

In the incident at Mile 3 Bazaar at 9.45am, an 80-year-old woman, driving a sports utility vehicle, ploughed into 10 parked cars while she was attempting to park.

Padawan police chief Supt Mohd Irwan Hafiz Md Radzi told The Borneo Post it was believed the woman had stepped on the accelerator pedal instead of the brakes. No injuries were reported in the incident.

The news report was met with plenty of reactions and shares when it was posted on The Borneo Post’s Facebook page, with many voicing their concern about whether the elderly should continue to drive.

“I guess it’s time for JPJ Sarawak (Sarawak Road Transport Department) to review the licence of elderly drivers 70 years old and above for safety reasons. Fit to drive is very much needed these days on the road,” Facebook user Luke Chuat Garai said.

Agreeing with Luke, MC Wilkins even suggested that the age for review be lowered to 60.

Julian Rujim said: “I think it is good that the relevant authority has a mandatory health and IQ test on elderly drivers especially for those who reach the age above 70 to make sure that they are fit to drive. Those who fail the test will not be allowed to renew their license.”

Anthony Chan felt that the elderly should be required to have their driving skills tested annually, adding that some members of the silver haired community have no choice but to drive themselves.

“Their driving skills must be reviewed every year, FOC, if they fail to comply their license will be revoked … some elderly people live alone, they need to drive.”

Still, many also felt that people should not be quick to rush to judgment, pointing out that accidents could happen to anyone.

“Actually, most road accidents involve the 19 to 25 age group,” said Adrian J Nyaoi.

Adeline Ong added: “I can see many people like to discriminate against lady drivers and also elderly drivers. And even more so, if it’s an elderly lady driver. Accidents happen. If all the elderly are banned from driving, how are they to move around? Unless we have a better system, let’s not suggest otherwise. Everyone should be careful on the road.”

Hugh Mawar said most accidents in Sarawak involved people under 50 years of age.

“Statistics show 80 per cent of accidents occurring in the state are caused by these people who are under 50 years of age due to over speeding, use of handphone while driving, intoxicated by alcohol and drugs, over modification of their vehicles. There are cases of lovers caressing each other while driving. These acts somewhat are not related to old age.”

Disagreeing with Luke, who had suggested a review for drivers above 70, Kim Lou said: “The age group that causes the most accidents isn’t those 70 and above. They drive relatively slower, they don’t drive as often, and a lot of them don’t know how to use Grab, so driving is the only choice. I think we better ban those 30 and under for the opposite reasons.

“Jokes aside, it is a baseless form of discrimination. You would need a lot more resources to monitor this (check everyone who looks old and driving). What’s next? Only guys can drive a car with 2,500cc and above?”

The question of whether there should be an age limit for drivers is a long drawn out one with the government adopting a more objective stance.

In September 2021, then Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong said withdrawing or limiting a valid licence issued to individuals based on their age should be a last resort, after transparently verifying the person’s fitness level to drive with a recognised test.

On suggestions to limit the issuance of the Malaysian Driving Licence (LMM) to senior citizens aged 70 and above, Wee said many drivers above 70 displayed greater competence in driving compared to those younger than them.

“A broader, more holistic angle including the need for mobility and other socioeconomic factors should be considered, instead of only the age factor,” he said in a Bernama report.

He said a driver’s licence was granted by the road transport authority as accreditation to an individual who had satisfactorily shown the competency and ability to safely operate a vehicle on the road as provided under the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333).

Section 30 of Act 333 also provides for licence holders to surrender their licences voluntarily at any Road Transport Department office for medical reasons that may pose a danger to other road users, he said.

Wee added that the suggestion to limit the renewal of the driving licence or road tax for those aged 70 and above could potentially lead to a scenario where a person would simply borrow a vehicle from another owner to circumvent the rule.

He said any policy-related changes regarding the driver’s licence and road tax must be handled with a systematic, evidence-based approach, and treated with foresight.

“Simply refusing a driver the means to drive on the basis of their age or based on isolated or anecdotal evidence is discriminatory.”