Should older people be allowed to drive?, Latest Singapore News

A number of crashes involving older drivers in recent months have sparked debate over whether older people should continue to drive.

In September, at least two elderly drivers were involved in a police investigation into separate crashes. One, 77, has been arrested following a crash in Toa Payoh that killed an 83-year-old cyclist. In another incident, a 70-year-old driver’s car collided with the rear of a double-decker bus at the Hillview station.

Such incidents often generate hundreds of comments on social media, with netizens arguing over how high the driving age is.

In Singapore, the legal age limit for taxi, private car and heavy vehicle drivers is 75, but there is no limit for those who do not drive for a living.

However, motorists aged 65 years and above must be certified by a Singapore-registered doctor once every three years to renew their licence.

During the medical examination, drivers must share their medical history with a doctor, who will check for signs of physical disabilities, mental disorders and hearing problems, among other things. There will also be a vision test and a basic test for mental impairment.

Proponents of limiting the driving age say it would be good for road safety, but others call on them to make age-based assumptions and stereotypes. Some also dispute the notion that older drivers are to blame for more accidents.

The number of fatal accidents involving drivers aged 65 and older, including motorcyclists and drivers of heavy vehicles, rose from eight in the first six months of 2023 to 11 in the same period in 2024, police said. the rate for drivers age 64 and younger dropped from 66 to 63.

There was also an approximately 5 percent increase in the number of crashes involving drivers age 65 and older that resulted in injury, from 606 in the first half of 2023 to 639 in the first half of 2024. For drivers age 64 and younger, the rate fell by about 1 percent.

While it’s difficult to draw conclusions from the small data set from the previous year, transportation economist Walter Theseira said crashes involving older drivers can be expected to rise in the future.

This is “simply due to Singapore’s aging population, as well as the increased wealth of our elderly population, many of whom can still afford cars even in retirement,” said the associate professor at the Singapore University of Social Sciences.

Suitable for driving

Five seniors who spoke to The Straits Times acknowledged concerns about their fitness to drive but said they wanted to continue doing it as long as possible.

“There’s no denying that my reflexes are slowing as I get older, but that doesn’t mean I’m incapable of driving,” said 80-year-old retiree Ruth Wang, who still drives herself and her less mobile friends to doctor’s appointments. and grocery shopping.

But she adjusted her driving routine for her own safety. She used to enjoy traveling long distances to Malaysia, but has stopped doing so as she now gets tired more easily.

For Ms Kim Sagadeva, who underwent her fourth medical examination to renew her driving license in 2023, driving is a vital part of her life.

The 75-year-old said those with a certificate of fitness to drive should not be banned from the roads.

“Chronological age should never be used to determine another’s ability,” the longtime golfer said, adding that she often outperforms those 30 years younger than her on the golf course.

Legal requirement

Some question whether the current requirements are adequate.

Mr Bernard Tay, chairman of the Singapore Road Safety Council, suggested that older drivers, including himself, voluntarily undergo additional medical checks.

The 75-year-old said older people who are aware of any impairment affecting their ability to drive should not wait for a mandatory medical check-up every three years. “You must take responsibility and have regular medical checks to ensure you are fit to drive.”

Dr Kelvin Goh, medical director of the United Primary Care Network, told ST that doctors have a duty to advise patients to stop driving when they develop conditions that make them unable to drive.

If patients do not comply, doctors can report them to police, while maintaining the patient’s right to confidentiality, he said.

“However, one of the challenges we face is that we cannot access the National Electronic Health Record for this medical examination as it is not one of the approved uses,” Dr Goh said. “Consequently, we are not sure whether the patient’s statement of his or her medical history is accurate.”

Professor Theseira suggested making medical examinations more thorough and thorough.

For example, it is useful to involve geriatricians—doctors who specialize in treating older people—in the certification process.

He said medical experts could also weigh in on what other functional tests, such as reaction time, should be administered. But more testing will increase costs for drivers, so a more calibrated approach is needed, he added.

If there is strong evidence that many older people experience a decline in ability at a certain age, appropriate tests can be carried out in stages from that point onwards.

What other countries are doing

Some countries have already adopted a phased approach.

In Japan, drivers aged 70 or older must take a driving course again before renewing their driver’s license. People aged 75 and older will also be tested on their memory and judgment.

In New South Wales, Australia, drivers aged 75 years and over must undergo an annual medical examination. Drivers aged 85 and over must also take a driving test every two years.

Regional governments across South Korea are offering gift certificates ranging from 100,000 won (S$100) to 300,000 won to encourage older drivers to give up their licenses.

In May, the central government proposed a conditional license that would limit highway access and night driving to drivers aged 65 and over based on their driving ability.

The proposal, however, sparked a strong public backlash, prompting the government to commit to a review before deciding whether to go ahead with it in 2025.

Older drivers ST spoke to were also unhappy with the ideas put forward by South Korean authorities.

Retiree James Lu, 75, said banning older drivers from highways was anti-aging.

“Should we also ban all motorcyclists from expressways since many fatal accidents occur there as well?” he asked, adding that law enforcement officials would also have a hard time enforcing the requirements.

Self-awareness

Mr Lu, who goes to the gym at least four times a week, says the key is for older drivers to be self-aware.

“I’m aware that I might be slower than before, so I’m a little more careful about not speeding or trying to run red lights while I’m on the road,” he said.

Retiree Tan Peng Ann, who has been driving for more than 40 years, shares the same view. “If a driver knows they have night blindness, they simply shouldn’t drive at night.”

“It will be difficult for the authorities to control everyone,” the 66-year-old added.

Dr Teo Chiang Wen, assistant consultant at Outram Community Hospital, said older drivers may want to avoid driving on unfamiliar roads at night, during rush hour or in bad weather.

“Planning safe routes with fewer right turns, slower traffic and well-lit streets can make driving less stressful and safer,” said Dr Teo, who cares for elderly patients.

They can also drive a car equipped with power brakes, rearview cameras and other sensors that help alert them to nearby vehicles, he added.

Warning signs

However, not all older drivers are self-aware and can be expected to voluntarily give up driving. In such cases, family members should look out for warning signs such as unexplained dents and scratches on their cars, Dr Teo said.

If family members notice that their elderly parents or grandparents are getting lost on familiar routes, have difficulty following traffic lights, and are showing signs of early dementia, they should initiate a conversation, but approach the topic carefully.

“Avoid statements that may make older people feel like their independence is being taken away. Instead, focus the discussion on their safety and well-being,” Dr Teo said.

“Rather than focusing on ‘loss of privilege,’ the conversation can move toward moving toward alternative transportation options (such as family carpooling, ride-sharing services, or public transit) to maintain their independence,” he added.

Temasek Polytechnic gerontology lecturer Geetika Gupta said older drivers who are not receptive to advice from family members can be taken to a doctor or occupational therapist who can objectively assess their driving abilities.

“Oftentimes, talking about the risks from a trusted professional can help them come to terms with the need to reduce or stop driving,” she said.

If they still resist giving up driving, Dr Teo suggested that family members limit the elderly’s access to the car, park it in a less convenient location or turn off the vehicle.

They should also be reminded that their insurance claims will not be considered if they have been advised not to drive by a doctor, he added.

Insurance companies ST spoke to said they cover older motorists, but only if they are medically fit to drive.

The Singapore Automobile Association and Liberty Insurance, which launched an insurance policy specifically designed for older drivers in 2014, said new applications are being accepted from drivers aged up to 75 years.

Older drivers can cope better if they have emotional support from loved ones, Ms Gupta said.

“The decision to stop driving can cause feelings of disappointment and sadness as it symbolizes a loss of independence and autonomy. Families need to acknowledge these feelings and offer support throughout the transition,” she said.