Road safety and health experts believe Malaysia should seriously consider making health screenings mandatory for drivers aged 70 and above when renewing their driving licences.
The proposal is seen as a reasonable step amid rising life expectancy and a growing elderly population, which has resulted in more senior citizens continuing to drive well into old age.
Head of Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Road Safety Research Centre, Law Teik Hua, said health conditions can directly affect a person’s ability to drive safely.
Although many individuals over 70 remain active, healthy and maintain good driving records, he stressed that assessments should focus on a driver’s physical and cognitive condition rather than age alone.
“Health screenings can help detect issues that may affect driving ability before serious accidents occur,” he said.
Teik Hua explained that basic health checks alone may not always be sufficient, as some cases may require elderly drivers to undergo driving reassessments if significant functional decline is detected.
He also suggested that Malaysia consider shortening licence renewal periods for elderly drivers, proposing renewals every three years after the age of 70.
According to him, shorter renewal periods would allow authorities to conduct more frequent evaluations of a senior driver’s health and fitness to drive safely.
He noted that several countries already adopt similar systems to balance elderly mobility with public road safety.
However, he stressed that any implementation must remain practical and senior-friendly, including affordable medical screenings, easy access to health facilities and simplified administrative procedures.
From a medical perspective, older drivers may face increased risks due to health conditions commonly associated with ageing, including high blood pressure, heart disease, poor eyesight and slower reaction times.
However, public health expert from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh, warned against unfairly placing blame solely on elderly drivers.
She argued that younger drivers can also suffer from serious medical conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, mental health disorders and epilepsy, making health screenings relevant across multiple age groups.
Sharifa also proposed stricter health checks for drivers involved in alcohol consumption, drug abuse or those prone to anxiety and panic issues while driving.
She agreed that regular health assessments should especially apply to high-risk drivers, including those operating heavy vehicles, transporting passengers, possessing accident histories or suffering from chronic illnesses such as uncontrolled diabetes, vision problems and cardiovascular disease.
Sharifa pointed out that countries such as New Zealand and the United Kingdom already require additional cognitive testing for elderly drivers above certain ages.
These tests are designed to detect conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease while also evaluating reaction speed and driving performance under stressful road conditions.
Experts identified several major factors that could affect elderly driving ability, including deteriorating eyesight, slower reaction times, declining cognitive function, side effects from medication, mobility limitations and chronic illnesses such as stroke or Parkinson’s disease.
The discussion has reignited debate over how Malaysia can improve road safety while ensuring elderly citizens maintain independence and mobility responsibly.
