Transport Secretary Mable Chan on Saturday said reforming the physical examination system for commercial vehicle drivers is a top priority, the goal being to bring in stricter health checks to improve safety.

Chan was speaking on an RTHK radio programme, four days after a 35-year-old foreign national died after being hit by a taxi in Tsuen Wan. Police reported that the 80-year-old taxi driver had felt dizzy prior to the incident.

The reform is based on a 2023 government proposal to the Legislative Council, which would require drivers aged 65 and over to provide annual fitness certifications to renew their driving licences. However, this legislation has not yet been passed.

Currently, only drivers aged 70 and above need to submit such reports, and their licences can be renewed for up to three years.

The Secretary for Transport and Logistics indicated that work on this legislation is ongoing, with efforts to strengthen the requirements for fitness certifications.

Currently, the certification checks drivers' eyesight, mental health, physical condition, balance, coordination, hearing, and other health factors.

"According to the expert group's opinions, the current suggested areas are generally applicable," Chan said.

"However, we hope to tighten the requirements for vision checks.

"Additionally, we may include more specified areas in the future. For example, hearing is also very important, so we will establish specific testing standards.

"Furthermore, since some elderly individuals, not just drivers, may have chronic illnesses or be on medication, we need to be particularly cautious about their muscle control and responses.

"Conditions that may arise with age, such as dementia, should also be included in future examinations, according to experts, to ensure clarity and focus during the assessment process."

To assist with this process, Chan mentioned that the Transport Department intends to create a list of doctors to help commercial drivers find suitable practitioners for their examinations.

She also stated that age restrictions are not the immediate focus, particularly because one-third of commercial drivers in Hong Kong are over 65. Chan warned that a blanket age restriction could negatively impact drivers' jobs.

The government aims to present the legislative proposal for discussion in the Legislative Council by the first quarter of next year and is looking for ways to speed up the process.