KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28: The Transport Ministry has no plans to revoke the driving licences of those aged 70 and above.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong said revoking the licences for those aged 70 and above was not the ministry’s stand and that driving competency was not based on age.
“MoT has never instructed to mandate senior citizens aged 70 and above to surrender their driving licences because of competency.
“Like YB Langkawi MP (Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad), he can drive far better than some of the crazy drivers on the road,” he said, referring to 96-year-old former prime minister during Ministers’ Question Time in Parliament today.
Meanwhile, it was reported recently that Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation Enforcement Department director Datuk Azisman Alias has proposed for the renewal of senior citizens’ driving licences to be restricted so as to reduce the number of accidents on the road.
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani then clarified that it was Azisman’s personal opinion.
On another note, Wee disclosed that a total of 807 accidents happened involving those who drove against the flow of traffic since January this year.
From that number, 29 fatalities were reported, with 17 victims seriously injured and 49 suffering minor injuries.
He explained that such accidents occurred due to human factors such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol or lacking concentration on the road. — DayakDaily
