Accidents with elderly at the wheel reignite push for age-based restrictions

Two road accidents in Hyderabad involving motorists in their 80s have renewed calls for stricter checks on elderly drivers, with road safety experts warning that declining reflexes and vision can turn them into a hazard on busy urban roads.

On July 4, an 88-year-old man lost control of his sedan on the curve after the ISKCON temple, heading towards YMCA in Gopalapuram. He struck multiple vehicles before being stopped by bystanders, injuring a woman. Police booked him under Sections 279 and 337 of the BNS Act for rash and negligent driving.

Earlier, an 84-year-old retired IPS officer, who served as inspector general of police before retiring in 2000, fatally ran over a class IX student on the Ramakrishnapuram flyover near Neredmet. The boy died on the spot, prompting criticism from activists over why he was still permitted to drive.

Under the Motor Vehicles (MV) Act, there is no maximum age limit for driving. However, those over 50 must submit a medical fitness certificate for licence renewal, valid for five years. Road safety experts say this system fails to account for rapid changes in health among those in their 70s and 80s.

“Elderly people driving on roads have become hazardous for other road users as their vision and muscle strength are not enough to try on Indian roads and we do not have that infrastructure,” says. Vinod K. Kanumala, founder & chief functionary, Indian Federation of Road Safety.

“Many accidents are taking place but are ignored because of their age. At this age, old people are very rude if something happens on the road. I have personally experienced it. This has to be addressed at the earliest, as speed and traffic volume have increased. The maximum age limit should be 70 or 75, after which the licence must be cancelled,” he adds.

A Road Transport Authority official, speaking anonymously, called overage driving a blind spot in enforcement. “In cities like Hyderabad, we routinely encounter elderly drivers navigating chaotic traffic with limited reflexes and declining eyesight,” the official said.

While countries such as the United Kingdom and Japan require older drivers to undergo regular cognitive and vision checks, in India, the responsibility is largely left to drivers and their families.

“We are not saying senior citizens should not drive,” says Praveen Kumar, a road safety expert from Hyderabad. “But there must be stricter recurring checks for those above 75.”

Police said the vehicles in both Hyderabad accidents were properly registered and the drivers held valid licences. With India’s ageing population rising, experts say only a combination of tighter rules, regular testing and public awareness can prevent more tragedies.