Hyderabad Grapples with Hazardous Elderly Motorists on Chaotic Roads

In the past few weeks, Hyderabad has witnessed a concerning trend of road accidents involving elderly drivers, renewing calls for stricter regulations and checks on senior motorists.

On July 4th, an 88-year-old man lost control of his sedan on a curve near the ISKCON temple, striking multiple vehicles before being stopped by bystanders. The incident left a woman injured, with the driver booked for rash and negligent driving. Earlier, an 84-year-old retired police officer fatally ran over a high school student on the Ramakrishnapuram flyover, sparking criticism over why he was still permitted to drive.

Road safety experts warn that the declining reflexes and vision of elderly drivers can turn them into a serious hazard on Hyderabad's busy urban roads. While the Motor Vehicles Act requires those over 50 to submit a medical fitness certificate for license renewal every five years, this system fails to account for the rapid health changes that can occur in one's 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 of the Indian Federation of Road Safety. He argues that the maximum age limit should be capped at 70 or 75, after which licenses must be cancelled.

With India's aging population on the rise, experts say a combination of tighter rules, regular testing, and public awareness is crucial to prevent more such tragedies on Hyderabad's chaotic streets.