MCPF slams proposal to regularly test senior drivers

23 Jan 2018 / 08:20 H.

IPOH: The Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) has described the proposal for drivers above 65 years old to undergo medical tests every six months as unfair and impractical.
Its senior vice chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye pointed out that many retirees have to drive since they cannot always depend on their children or, can afford to engage drivers.
"These people need to drive and be mobile ... as long as doctors declare them fit during their regular examination, they should be allowed to use their vehicles. I know of people in their 70s still driving around," he told theSun today.
" I am sure senior citizens will heed the advice of their doctors if they are not physically fit.
"There is no need for laws to make it compulsory to compel these drivers to go for medical examinations.
"I do not think the drivers want to endanger themselves if they are not fit to drive," he added.
Lee was commenting on a statement by an anti-crime non governmental organisation called Malaysians Against Rape, Assault and Snatch Theft (Marah) who suggested that drivers above 65, need to undergo medical tests every six months to determine their driving fitness and proficiency.
According to its founder, Dave Avran, there was no law in the country prohibiting a person from driving after he or she reached a certain age.
Avran had said for an elderly person, driving in today's stressful conditions can be rather tiring.
"But the medical test will ensure peace of mind for themselves, their loved ones won't have to constantly worry about them, and other road users would feel safe too," he had said in a statement.
Avran was responding to a recent viral video of a car driving against the flow of traffic on the New Pantai Expressway (NPE).
The driver, a 76-year-old man, is believed to be suffering from dementia and had hearing difficulties.

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