PORT DICKSON: A total of 113 senior citizens in the district recently obtained their motorcycle licences under the One Community One RTD programme at SMK Pasir Panjang here.
The programme was organised to give the elderly an opportunity to get their motorcycle licences without having to go through the normal procedure, which can be too cumbersome for them, considering their age.
Road Transport Department deputy director, Datuk Ismail Ahmad, said the number of accidents involving motorcyclists were increasing every year.
He said programmes such as the One Community One RTD were important to increase public awareness on road safety.
"We also wanted to give the aged the chance to get their motorcycle licences at a cheaper rate.
"Additionally, we wanted these participants to be an example to others as responsible road users.
"To date, a total of 2,338 people in the state have obtained their motorcycle licences through this programme.
"They only had to pay RM150 in total," he said when closing the programme.
Contract worker, Razak Idris, 76, who had been riding a motorcycle without a licence for 15 years, said he was delighted that he was finally able to get a real motorcycle licence.
"It is not that we did not want to apply for a licence before this, it was just too expensive, and most of us could not afford it," he said.
Housewife K. Saroja, 53, said though she knew riding a motorcycle without a licence was an offence, she had no choice as she could not afford the high fee.
"I have been riding a motorcycle for more than 13 years to send my children to school and fetch them home.
"All these years, I stayed clear of main roads.
"I mainly travelled on roads less travelled and off the beaten track," said Saroja.
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