Starting next year, people aged 75 years or above must pass a physical examination and a cognitive test before their driver’s licenses can be renewed, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) said yesterday.
At present there are no restrictions on elderly drivers in Taiwan.
However, questions have been raised as the nation faces a rapidly aging society, and many elderly drivers are injured or killed in traffic accidents because their reactions slow as they age or due to health problems.
Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Jian-yu (陳建宇) said that motor vehicle offices nationwide have tried to encourage elderly drivers to voluntarily turn in their driver’s licenses, but have had only limited success.
The ministry is amending regulations to require a physical exam and a cognitive test for drivers aged 75 and above and their licenses would only be valid for a two-year period, he said.
The ministry plans to introduce the policy in a six-month pilot program later this year before the proposal takes effect next year, he said.
Ministry statistics show there are about 232,000 drivers who are 75 or older and about 421,000 people who hold motorcycle license.
The ministry said the subject of aging drivers is handled differently around Asia and the world.
In Hong Kong, driver’s licenses for people 60 or older are only valid for a three-year period and once a driver turns 75, they must enclose the results of a physical exam taken within four months of applying to renew their license, the ministry said.
Canada’s Ontario province starts setting limits on drivers once they turn 80; they must pass an eye examination and retake a driving course and driving test before they can renew their license, which is then valid for two years, the ministry said.
Medical professionals said the human body goes through faster changes around the age of 75, which is the main reason why the ministry picked that number for imposing restrictions.
During the trial run, elderly drivers will be encouraged to take a cognitive test that evaluates their motor coordination, memory and judgment, the ministry said. Should a driver fail the test, they would be encouraged to hand in their licenses, it said.
Once the new regulations are implemented, drivers who fail the test would not receive a new license.
In related news, the ministry has yet to respond to a petition from taxi drivers asking the age limit on their profession be raised from 68 to 70.
People might have safety concerns for drivers who are over 70 years old, so the petition requires further consideration, the ministry said.
Taxi drivers aged 60 or above must pass annual physical exams and their licenses are only renewed for one year at a time.
The Directorate-General of Highways said that 27 percent of the nation’s taxi drivers are between 60 and 68 years of age.
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