Mentally Ill Motorist Pose Safety Risk.

PETALING JAYA: Experts have cautioned those with schizophrenia and other severe mental health conditions to ensure they are fit to drive as they may face a higher risk of road crashes due to impaired attention, slower reaction times, and the side effects of medication.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Geotechnics and Transportation Department Assoc Prof Dr Sitti Asmah Hassan said research by Monash University showed that drivers with schizophrenia are about twice as likely to be involved in car crashes compared with age-matched individuals.

“From a road safety perspective, mental health conditions such as schizophrenia should be carefully evaluated when determining a motorist’s fitness to drive. This includes their medical history, side effects of medication and recent mental health stability.

“While not all individuals with schizophrenia pose a risk, symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and cognitive impairment can affect their reaction time, decision-making, and situational awareness,” she said when commenting on a video shared widely on social media that showed a white Perodua Axia repeatedly circling the Mahkota roundabout in Kluang, Johor last week.

Authorities have since confirmed that the driver has schizophrenia, a serious mental health condition that affects thinking, emotions and behaviour, often making it difficult to distinguish reality from illusion.

Sitti Asmah said many countries have protocols, such as mandatory reports for drivers with known medical conditions or physicians’ reporting obligations, but their enforcement and effectiveness vary.

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