PETALING JAYA: A proposal to compel senior citizens to undergo a medical check-up and be declared fit before they renew their driving license is unfair, says the Sarawak Gerontology and Geriatrics Society (SGGS).

       Its president Dennis Tan said this is because there are no statistics showing that they are among the main contributors to road accidents in the country.

       Instead of going after senior citizens, Tan said the police should go after mentally ill people, substance abusers and repeat traffic offenders as they are more likely to cause road accidents than senior citizens.

       "It is our belief that most road accidents are caused by young people driving recklessly, overtaking along narrow roads, speeding or beating traffic lights or even driving when they are drunk.

       "We also feel that it is too much to single out senior citizens to undergo medical check-ups and get a doctor’s confirmation of their health condition before they can be issued with the licences," said Tan in a statement on Saturday (Sept 25).

       He said that health issues such as blurred vision are not a reason to stop senior citizens from renewing their licences as this can be rectified by spectacles, just like anyone else having sight problems.

       If such conditions were to be imposed on senior citizens, Tan said then it should also apply equally to younger people as there are many of them having facing similar health issues.

       "It is my belief that most road accidents in the country are caused by younger people, not senior citizens.

       "Therefore, there is no need to impose such conditions as senior citizens know when to stop driving vehicles, like when they are having health conditions such as Alzheimer’s or other serious illnesses.

       "Many senior citizens, even at the age of 70 and above, are still healthy and actively contributing to society in their own ways," he said.

       On Friday (Sept 24), the police proposed that the government limit the issuance of motor vehicle licences to senior citizens.

       Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department director Deputy Comm Datuk Azisman Alias said this is because the health condition of senior citizens could contribute to road accidents.

       He said that senior citizens should also undergo a medical check-up and get approval from a doctor to ascertain that they are fit to drive.

       “Elderly people are more likely to suffer from health conditions such as Alzheimer’s and blurred vision, which can indirectly cause a road accident.

       “There was a case where a senior citizen was caught driving on a motorcycle lane. The government needs to look into this issue,” he was quoted as saying.

       He added that it was not suitable for senior citizens aged 70 and above to renew their driving licence for a five-year period due to the age factor.