Wednesday, 18 March 2020

VicRoads driver medical reviews

Mr ANGUS (Forest Hill) (2294)

I wish to raise a matter for the attention of the Minister for Roads. The action I seek is for the minister to advise me why VicRoads is regularly harassing some of my older constituents regarding their health and eyesight when they do not have any adverse issues with their health or eyesight.

I have been contacted over recent times by several constituents regarding this issue, most recently last week by a constituent in his 80s. He recounted to me his experience, whereby he had to undergo an eyesight test in 2013, which he passed without any issue.

In January this year he was contacted again by VicRoads requesting him to provide them with an eyesight report. I note that he has since undertaken the necessary test and obtained and submitted the required report, which showed his eyesight was fine for driving.

My constituent said he felt threatened by VicRoads and very stressed when he received this request. He also felt very stressed whilst obtaining the eyesight test and then awaiting the final response from VicRoads.

He advised me that he is subject to this testing every two years, for no apparent reason. He also noted that obtaining the required eyesight reports is causing him to incur unnecessary costs. He also noted that younger drivers seem to be causing more road trauma and reckless driving than older drivers.

My constituent believes he is being discriminated against solely because of his age, despite the fact that his eyesight is fine. He also advised me that he has been driving for around 65 years and has a good driving history.

Consequently I ask the minister to provide me with advice as to why VicRoads treats some of Victoria’s older drivers this way despite their exceptionally long good driving records and no health or eyesight issues.