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By Leonard K.Y. Khong
One of the dangers of ageing is its slow and gradual process. One does not realise the deterioration of the vital senses that are required for safe driving. Instead of a glance of the rear view mirror to get the vital input on traffic condition at the back, the aged eyes require a stare and the deteriorated mind takes seconds longer to decipher.
In that process, the eyes are off the road ahead for some vital moments.
Sometimes, that extra time taken to digest input and convert it into action may delay coming out of a busy road junction or executing an overtaking manoeuvre. The results are potentially disastrous.
A senior driver is not required to take a driving test again. Neither is it necessary for a medical examination to ensure good eyesight and operations of the limbs and mind.
So it simply means carrying on driving until some serious or life threatening situation occurs Only immediate family members and limitations of insurance companies can stop the driving.
VEHICLE SIZE
The risks of senior drivers getting involved in accidents by themselves or with others can be minimised by the right selection of vehicles.
There seems to be a trend among some of those retiring to target the biggest, most luxurious and potent cars as their "final" buy. In the long run, this may not prove the best choice for both the driver and road users.
Most senior drivers seldom drive out of town in the first place. They are more confined to local trips that include visits to the supermarkets or night markets and relatives/friends' houses.
Therefore, it does not make sense to have a 3.0-litre SUV to achieve these short journeys. The ideal choices would be urban cars with nippy acceleration, which are easy to drive and maintain and with a higher than normal sitting position. Some examples that come to mind are the Perodua Kenari and the IHyudai i10.
Parking spaces can be hard to find these days, even in small towns as the overall vehicle population grows by leaps and bounds. For a senior driver, making three-point turns, especially in dimly lit areas, can be a real challenge. A sub-compact is a better choice because it is easy to manoeuvre and does not challenge the confidence of the senior driver. Moreover, the small car does not encourage the senior driver to drive too fast and risk losing control.
 
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