Alexander (Sandy) Milne

I get regular phone calls and other messages from Beacon readers following my criticism of Whakatāne medical practices for ripping off elderly patients who are required by law to have two-yearly medical check-ups before being allowed to drive.

I was quoted $135 for my driver’s check-up; the licence itself costs $21.50. Charges for medical check-ups in Whakatāne seem to vary greatly, and even within my own GP practice.

If Beacon readers go online to see the rules in Australian states, they will see that, for example, an elderly citizen in Melbourne, Victoria faces no such tests.

I would like to see evidence which justifies these tests of New Zealand’s older drivers.

World Elderly Abuse Day was only a few days ago.

I invite our mayor and councillors or other community leaders to support elderly residents who were having it tough enough before the recent new and savage GP charges were so widely implemented.

Surely, driving test officers and voluntary groups could and should conduct the driver’s check-ups?

I am copying this to government ministers of transport, health, and senior citizens.