Taiwanese singer Shen Wen-cheng (沈文程) has been recruited as the face of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications' campaign to promote its new policy on elderly drivers, which is scheduled to be launched in May next year, the ministry said yesterday.
The ministry made the announcement as it unveiled a series of changes to how driver's licenses are issued. Some of the measures are designed to address risks posed by elderly drivers, in the wake of series of traffic incidents earlier this year.
About 1.1 million drivers nationwide are aged 70 to 74, while 18,800 are 75 or older, Highway Bureau data showed.
A total of 1.28 million drivers would be required to renew their driver's license under the policy.
Shen said that, like many older people, he initially thought the policy was intended to restrict them from driving.
"People in my generation have been driving for decades. As we are experiencing a decline in health, vision and physical agility, we need doctors to assess our physical condition to determine if we are still fit to drive," the 71-year-old Golden Melody and Golden Bell Award winner said, adding that the policy offers assurance and protection, instead of burden and restriction.
Starting this month, Shen said that he would be hosting six events across the nation to have tea and chat with older adults to talk to them about the importance of safe driving, adding that he would set an example himself by renewing his license.
Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱) said the new policy is not intended to prevent older adults from driving, but to ensure that elderly people can drive safely.
Under the policy, drivers aged 70 or older can renew their licenses if they pass a physical exam, and take a mandatory traffic safety and hazard perception course, Chen said.
During the physical exams, drivers would be asked to self-describe their health status, while the course, which would be available to elderly drivers free of charge, is designed to teach them about new traffic regulations, traffic signs and road markings, he said.
The policy is to be officially implemented on May 1 next year, with a two-year grace period, he said.
For those turning 70, their renewed license would be valid until they are 75, when their licenses must be renewed every three years going forward.
Drivers aged 70 or older who voluntarily give up their licenses would be given a 50 percent rebate when they access public transportation services with a T-Pass, with each qualified for a one-time monthly rebate capped at NT$1,500 (US$48.53) per month. The benefit would available for two years.
A Highway Bureau survey showed that more than 80 percent of the respondents supported the policy, while the same number of respondents expressed deep concerns about elderly driving.
Approximately 200,000 drivers who are 75 or older chose to return their driver's licenses, Highway Bureau Director-General Lin Fu-shan (林福山) said, adding that it would budget NT$250 million annually to fund the rebates.