30,000 elderly drivers show signs of dementia

November 4, 2017

TOKYO- A total of 30,170 drivers aged 75 or older in Japan showed signs of dementia in tests conducted from March, when the country's revised Road Traffic Act was enforced to toughen dementia checks on elderly drivers, through the end of September, police data showed Thursday.

Of them, 674 drivers got their licenses revoked after doctors diagnosed them as having dementia, according to provisional figures released by the National Police Agency.

Under the revised law, drivers aged 75 or older are required to undergo cognitive tests when they apply to renew their licenses and if they commit certain traffic violations. Those showing signs of dementia in the tests are obliged to see doctors and will have their licenses revoked or suspended if they are diagnosed as dementia sufferers. Jiji Press