Commercial drivers are urging the government to reconsider a plan to lower the age for mandatory health checks, saying it’s causing panic in the sector.
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Currently, commercial vehicle drivers aged 70 or above have to undergo a medical examination every one to three years. Following a spate of accidents involving older drivers, the Transport Department is planning to lower the age for such checks to 65.
But the Motor Transport Workers General Union on Friday warned that the move could worsen a labour shortage in the industry, as it petitioned the government to abandon the planned change.
At a Legco panel meeting, lawmakers also urged officials to reconsider the plan.
“65 is considered a healthy age… Can we require those aged between 65 and 70 to do check-ups every two years? For those aged 70 above, we can require them to do check-ups annually,” DAB lawmaker Chan Hok-fung said.
Transport