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Debris is seen at the scene where Britain's Prince Philip was involved in a traffic accident, near the Sandringham estate in eastern England. Photo: Reuters
Opinion
SCMP Editorial
SCMP Editorial

Be alert as more elderly people take to the roads

  • Drivers and their families have to be aware that with age often comes fragility and a greater susceptibility to injury, diminished vision, medical problems and dementia

At what age should people hang up their driving keys? That is the question being asked after Britain’s Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth’s husband, was involved in a traffic accident in which a woman’s wrist was broken and the life of her baby threatened. At 97, the prince is in a motoring minority; most of such an advanced age no longer have the vision, reflexes and mental capacity or even desire to take to the roads. Yet within days of the crash, in which his Land Rover tipped on its side and he sustained minor cuts and bruises, he was back behind the wheel and as photographs show, not wearing a seat belt as required by British law.

Philip has a reputation for being stubborn, determined and impatient. But despite being a senior member of one of Britain’s wealthiest families, he is not above the law and police are investigating. As in Hong Kong, like all drivers over 70, he has to apply for a new driving licence every three years. But unlike in this city, he does not have to get the all-clear from a medical test and it is up to him to determine whether he is fit to drive.

There is no statistical evidence that older drivers are less safe. Those aged 70 or older in Hong Kong have a fewer number of accidents than any other age group, although that may be due to them holding not as many licences.

The requirement of more frequent renewal may well play a role, the effort involved prompting reflection on capability and enabling relatives and friends to voice an opinion. Philip’s accident, as with one in Hung Hom in January 2017 in which a 78-year-old taxi driver died after his vehicle slammed into a truck, has prompted timely debate about age and driving.

Hong Kong’s rapidly ageing society and the minimal social security net provided for the elderly mean that some people of advanced age will need to use their driving skills. Nor should age ever be put ahead of capacity and capability, no matter what the job. Drivers and their families have to be aware, though, that with age often comes fragility and a greater susceptibility to injury, diminished vision, medical problems and dementia. The older our motoring population gets, the more alert transport authorities have to be.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Remain alert as more seniors take to roads
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