The Office of The Ombudsman announced today (25th) a report on the active investigation by the Transport Department on the physical certification requirements of driving license applicants or holders.
The Complaints Office pointed out that the Transport Department did not specify the items to be examined on the "Physical Examination Certificate" for drivers aged 70 or above, and only the doctor hired by the applicant would judge on their own. Commercial vehicle drivers currently do not have any physical requirements. The relevant regulations are loose and backward.
The Ombudsman urged the Transport Department to tighten the physical certification requirements for older and professional drivers to reduce the risk of traffic accidents caused by driver health problems.
The Ombudsman Zhao Huixian announced the results of the proactive investigation of "The Transport Department's Requirements for the Physical Certificate of Applicants/Holders of Driving Licenses".
(Photo by the Information Services Department)
The Office of The Ombudsman stated that it has completed the relevant Transport Department's active investigation of the driver's license applicants or holders and their physical certification requirements.
It turns out that the current law requires applicants or holders of license plates to declare to the Transport Department whether they suffer from diseases or physical disabilities specified in the law, or any other diseases or physical disabilities.
In addition, license plate applicants aged 70 or above must also provide the Transport Department with a "Physical Examination Certificate" completed and signed by a registered medical practitioner at least every three years, proving that their health is suitable for driving and controlling the vehicle.
Commercial vehicle drivers have no physical requirements
However, the investigation found that the "Physical Examination Certificate" did not specify that the registered doctor must perform the designated examination items for the applicant. The doctor can decide whether to fill in the contents and data results of the applicant's physical examination on the certificate.
In addition to this, the existing laws do not specifically set any physical requirements for commercial vehicle drivers.
The investigation found that the "Physical Examination Certificate" did not specify the designated examination items that a registered doctor must carry out for the applicant, and the current law does not specifically set any physical requirements for commercial vehicle drivers.
(Photo of the Office of The Ombudsman)
The Ombudsman questioned the relative backwardness of the Transport Department's requirements for driver's medical examination
The Complaints Office has compared the measures taken in overseas regions and found that many jurisdictions set stricter physical certification requirements for senior drivers and professional drivers, and even impose driving restrictions to improve road safety. Hong Kong's approach is relatively backward.
The Office of The Ombudsman believes that the problem of aging population in Hong Kong is serious. In addition, commercial vehicles, especially heavy vehicles, have a high risk of traffic accidents and fatal injuries. Physical certification requirements reduce the risk of traffic accidents caused by drivers' health problems.
The Complaints Office puts forward four recommendations to explore ways to facilitate the body examination of commercial vehicle drivers
In response to the findings of the investigation, the authorities made four recommendations to the Transport Department, including specifying the inspection items for the physical certification required for license plate applications, and providing guidelines for medical professionals in this regard, and formulating regulations for drivers of commercial vehicles of designated ages, especially heavy vehicles. Physical examination system and more stringent physical requirements, strengthen publicity and education to remind drivers of changes in personal physical and mental health and driving ability, and explore ways to facilitate the physical examination of professional drivers driving commercial vehicles.
At the beginning of the year, the Transport Department relaxed the parking qualifications for disabled parking spaces. The Ombudsman took the initiative to investigate parking abuse. Shops blocked the street and enforced law enforcement. Over 200 complaints were received in 3 years. database