The following is issued on behalf of the Transport Advisory Committee:
The Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) was briefed today (June 27) on the Government's review of the requirements for physical fitness certification of driving licence applicants/holders and the recommendations to enhance such requirements.
The TAC Chairman, Professor Stephen Cheung, said, "Due to the ageing population in Hong Kong, the number of aged driving licence holders has been on the rise. In view of the increasing number of traffic accidents committed by elderly commercial vehicle drivers in recent years and public concerns, the TAC acknowledges the need for an enhanced mechanism for physical fitness certification for aged drivers as well as commercial vehicle drivers in order to promote health awareness among drivers and further enhance their and other road users' safety."
In the meeting, the Government gave a briefing on the six recommendations, namely (1) tightening the requirements by amending the diseases or physical disabilities specified in the First Schedule to the Road Traffic (Driving Licences) Regulations (Cap. 374B); (2) enhancing the requirements for submission of physical fitness certification by commercial vehicle drivers; (3) enriching the content of the medical examination certificate and adopting more stringent physical fitness standards for drivers of commercial vehicles; (4) drawing up relevant medical guidelines; (5) empowering the Commissioner for Transport to require submission of medical reports by driving licence applicants/holders; and (6) imposing a more stringent age threshold for submission of physical fitness certification by driving instructors in one go. Members expressed their views and welcomed the recommendations.
The Government will keep seeking the views of relevant stakeholders so as to finalise specific arrangements as soon as possible. The Government plans to submit relevant legislative amendment proposals to the Legislative Council in the first half of 2024. Subject to the passage of the legislative amendments and the completion of system upgrades, the arrangements are expected to be implemented between the third quarter and the end of 2024.
Ends/Tuesday, June 27, 2023
Issued at HKT 17:20