PURPOSE: A survey on new Malaysian drivers was conducted in Malaysia between year 2006-2009. The objective of this study was to look at the effectiveness of the present computerized visual screening tool and to compare it with the conventional testing method.
METHODS: A total of 3717 drivers aged 19±6 years, who had passed in the computerized visual screening, participated in this study.
RESULTS: 250 subjects achieved less than 0.3 LogMAR with their best eye and 83 subjects failed the Ishihara Test after retested using the conventional tool.
CONCLUSION: These finding showed the computerized visual screening test failed to filter some subjects according to the standards set.
KEYWORDS: Visual acuity; colour vision; driving; vision
Citation: Examination Standards for Disabled Driver's Licensing. Putrajaya: Occupational Health Unit, Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia; 2011
A cross-sectional survey of commercial vehicle drivers who were renewing their own licences was conducted at the Selangor Road Transport Department office in Padang Jawa between 1 February 2002 and 28 February 2002, using questionnaire and medical examination. The objective was to determine the prevalence of myopia, colour vision deficiency and visual field defect among the commercial vehicle drivers. The respondents that reported visual defect at the time of interview was compared with those detected by the author through medical examination. Out of the 223 respondents, 21 (9.4%) reported to have myopia by the questionnaire survey. Through the visual examination there were 63 (28.3%) with myopia (visual acuity worse than 6/12),six (2.6%) had a visual field defect and 14 (6.3%) had red-green colour deficiency. The visual defect detected during the study among the commercial vehicle drivers, which were missed at the time of the routine medical examination were significant. The process of the statutory medical examination should be reviewed.
A survey was carried out using a medical examination format that was prepared by the Malaysian Medical Association. The findings of the survey show that of the 266 cases surveyed, 64 drivers (24% of cases surveyed) are either totally unfit to drive or temporarily unfit to drive heavy goods and passenger vehicles. This is clear indication that the current format that is being used by the Road Transport Department is inadequate and needs to be reviewed. It must also be stressed that all the above 64 drivers have been certified fit using the existing Road Transport Department format and are currently driving in our highways and roads. Heavy vehicle goods and passenger vehicle drivers if not properly examined and medically certified are not only be endangering their own lives but also that of others. It is therefore recommended that based on the data available from this survey, the Road Transport Department should seriously consider adopting the medical examination format that was formalised by the Malaysian Medical Association and used in this survey.