A fatal accident occurred at the heart of the Causeway Bay Hotel on Tuesday (5th), where a 35-year-old Philippine male tourist was struck by a taxi suspected of losing control, resulting in his death after emergency treatment. An 80-year-old male taxi driver was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving causing death. The tragedy has reignited public concern about the physical condition of elderly taxi drivers. In addition to tightening the frequency of medical examinations for commercial drivers, including taxi drivers, some voices have suggested setting a mandatory retirement age for commercial vehicle drivers, i.e., an age limit. Under the trend of population aging, elderly drivers in taxis, minibuses, or future legal ride-hailing services will inevitably exist. In 2023, the Hong Kong government stated that after preliminary research and considering the practices of other jurisdictions, the medical and accident data were insufficient to prove a direct relationship between driver age and traffic accidents, as well as the impact on the local transportation industry workforce, and recommended not to set an age limit in a one-size-fits-all manner. The proposal to set a mandatory retirement age for taxi drivers has sparked debate. What is your opinion? Vote with Hong Kong 01 and express your views. As of the end of February this year, there are more than 210,000 people in Hong Kong who hold valid taxi driver licenses. Among them, more than 37,000 are 70 years old or above, and nearly 94,000 are between 60 and 69 years old, accounting for 17.6% and 44.5% of the entire industry, respectively. Combined, they account for more than half of the industry. The total number of traffic accidents involving these two age groups has increased from 2,055 cases in 2021 to 2,672 cases last year, an increase of 23%. In just the first two months of this year, the total number of traffic accidents involving these two age groups was 339 cases. Causeway Bay Hotel Taxi Accident | Elderly Taxi Drivers' Medical Examinations Delayed for Two Years, Tin Pak Chan Advocates for Hour Limits for Drivers Over 75 Currently, the law stipulates that commercial vehicle drivers over 70 years old must undergo a medical examination every three years. In mid-2023, the government proposed to the Legislative Council's Transport Affairs Committee to lower the age threshold for submitting medical proof from 70 to 65 and change it to an annual check. However, over two years have passed since then, and there is still no progress. Mandatory retirement age for taxi and commercial vehicle drivers in different countries and regions: - Mainland China: Drivers over 60 years old are not allowed to drive city buses, large passenger vehicles, heavy tractor-trailers, medium passenger vehicles, large freight vehicles, wheeled special-purpose machinery vehicles, trolleybuses, and trams. Drivers over 70 years old are not allowed to drive low-speed cargo vehicles, three-wheeled vehicles, light tractor-trailers, ordinary three-wheeled motorcycles, and ordinary two-wheeled motorcycles. - Taiwan: Professional drivers of small vehicles can continue to practice until they reach 70 years old. - Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom: No age limit is set. Causeway Bay Hotel Accident | 80-Year-Old Taxi Driver Collides with Tourist, Ho King Kong Advocates for Mandatory Retirement Age Causeway Bay Hotel Accident | Taxi CAM | Victim Dragging a Suitcase Just Stepped Out the Door, Struck by a Taxi at High Speed Causeway Bay Hotel Fatal Accident | Philippine Male Tourist Hit by Taxi Before Leaving Hong Kong, Dies After Hospitalization Causeway Bay Hotel Taxi Accident | One Male Seriously Injured and Comatose in Hospital, Driver Slightly Injured