PETALING JAYA: Doctors could play a greater role in identifying motorists who may no longer be fit to drive through routine medical check-ups, said Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) chairman Professor Dr Wong Shaw Voon.
He said instead of imposing blanket restrictions based on age, a person’s fitness to drive should be assessed based on their physical and mental condition, which could perhaps be annual or at some other intervals.
“Such medical examinations need not be compulsory but should be part of the check-up when a person goes for it at any time for any purpose. If a doctor discovers a health condition which is a red flag for driving competency, the doctor can advise the patient of their condition and what they can do.
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“For instance, if they have an eyesight issue, a doctor can advise them accordingly on how it may affect their safety when driving,” he said.
These drivers could then self-impose restrictions and gradually refrain from driving as their health deteriorates for their own safety and that of other road users.
“Coming from a doctor, such advice would be more effective and likely to be complied with. It would also be wise to notify their next of kin so that they are aware. In conditions that may pose an immediate safety threat, it should become notifiable to the relevant authorities or a dedicated data system that alerts the authorities,” he said.
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Wong also stressed the importance of motorists being aware of the side effects of medication, given certain medicines affect alertness and cause drowsiness.
“While most doctors do inform their patients of these side effects, there are many who may not, and this can prove to be a hazard, especially when their patients drive,” he said.
On calls for elderly drivers to undergo medical reassessments or be prohibited from driving beyond a certain age, Wong described the issue as extremely delicate and something that should not be imposed in a way that would demoralise or hurt the emotional well-being of the elderly.
“Retirement can leave some senior folks feeling less productive and without direction in life after slogging for years.
“Hence, to deny them mobility by restricting them from driving will put a dent in their sense of independence.
“This is something we would rather not do to them. It should be gradual and not a sudden prohibition to stop them from driving,” he said.
Wong added that while age is a factor that may contribute to declining fitness, it should not be the sole factor in determining fitness to drive.
“As we know, there are also those who are not in their golden years but are unfit to drive due to certain health conditions.”
