Gov likely to ease health check mandates for cabbies, minibus drivers

Sources say the government is considering easing the proposed health check frequency for elderly commercial vehicle drivers aged 65 or above to two tests in every five years.

But the yearly health check plan is likely here to stay for drivers aged 70 or above.

Renewing scrutiny on the age and health requirements of taxi or minibus drivers are the recent string of high-profile traffic accidents.

Over this past month, at least three serious incidents involved commercial vehicle drivers aged 65 or above.

Two of the cases saw fatalities.

Three years ago, the government tabled a proposal to the Legislative Council, hoping to tighten the screws on fitness requirements of commercial vehicle drivers.

The suggestions include lowering the age threshold of medical examinations from 70 to 65, and an annual health check mandate for license renewal.

But the legislative timeline has seen repeated delays.

It is understood that amid industry concerns, the government's latest plan is to mandate two checkups every five years.

Drivers would undergo health checks once at age 65, then at 68 -- and are only subject to the yearly medical screening after age 70.

This cabbie says the three-year gap between ages 65 and 68 means much less trouble for them.

This driver says Hongkongers are still sharp at 80 years old, joking how veteran actor Bowie Wu Fung still holds concerts when he's over 90 years old.

This citizen, meanwhile, expresses concerns that easing health restrictions could lead to more unexpected incidents, so passengers and pedestrians could be at greater risks.

The taxi and minibus trades are backing the new proposal. A minibus association says almost 70% of its 2,000-plus drivers are over the age of 65.

Transport sector lawmaker Ben Chan says while fitness checks are necessary to ensure road safety, what matters too are the content and scope of the inspection.

Roundtable convenor Michael Tien, meanwhile, is pushing for a mandatory retirement age for commercial drivers.

MICHAEL TIEN: "A tourist coming to Hong Kong in the course of a conversation with a taxi driver and then realising that that driver is 95. There's no limit in Hong Kong. What kind of message are we sending if we want to be the tourism mecca of the world, right? So I think a mandatory retirement age for commercial drivers, especially taxis. It's a must."