Editorial | Keep Hong Kong safe, but limit impact on drivers’ livelihoods

This proposal is expected to be submitted to lawmakers early this year. It follows a horrific accident last August in which an 80-year-old driver’s taxi mounted the pavement and killed a Filipino tourist in Tsuen Wan. The driver reported losing control during a dizzy spell.

The authorities frame the proposal as a preventive measure. The move would lower the age threshold for mandatory health checks from 70 to 65, shorten the interval between checks to one year and expand their scope. Officials believe these steps will identify conditions earlier and reduce accidents linked to age-related decline.

However, the plan will have an impact on livelihoods. Many older drivers rely on their commercial licences for income. Many argue that age alone should not determine fitness to drive and that experience often enhances judgment and caution on the road. They warn that rigid rules could push capable drivers out of the workforce.

The debate highlights the complexities of population ageing. Hongkongers have some of the world’s longest life expectancies. Those who argue that the city should adapt its labour policies to an older workforce call for a flexible approach that combines medical evidence with performance-based assessments. In this regard, the authorities should continue disclosing accident data and explain how the proposed tightening of checks will improve outcomes. Engagement with unions and transport operators is also important.

Hong Kong faces a challenge familiar to ageing societies: safeguarding the public while respecting the dignity of older workers. Stricter health checks could reduce risks. Hopefully, they can be implemented fairly and flexibly to protect the public without sidelining those who remain fit to serve. In striking that balance, the city can show a way for ageing societies to sustain safety while valuing older people’s contributions.