Road Safety - Seniors Behind the Wheel: The Taboo of Old Age

Title: Road Safety - Seniors Behind the Wheel: The Taboo of Old Age

Content: After a judgment fifteen years ago that eliminated any medical checks related to age, Mauritian authorities are considering new regulations. However, consensus remains elusive between the imperative of safety and the autonomy of elderly individuals.

The accident did not go unnoticed. On February 1st, in Pamplemousses, a policeman directing traffic during Thaipoosam Cavadee celebrations was violently struck by a car driven by a 73-year-old man, dragging him for several meters. Severely injured, he required surgical intervention. This incident reignited a debate that has been somewhat silenced since 2009: should driving tests be imposed on elderly drivers?

Expert Barlen Munisami argues for a reflection based on the actual fitness of drivers. The question is not new. Until 2009, an administrative practice mandated medical examinations for drivers over 60. That year, the Supreme Court ended this practice in the Moossun Rashid v The State ruling. The judges concluded that the Road Traffic Act does not create any systematic obligation related to age, "in the name of the principle of equality and non-discrimination." Since then, a legal vacuum has persisted: no age limit for driving, no mandatory examinations.

Following the Pamplemousses accident, Transport Minister Osman Mahomed acknowledged the need for action. "It is now imperative to come up with well-thought-out regulations," he stated, clarifying that any development must rely on "a clear legal framework, medical recommendations, and a coordinated approach, especially with the Ministry of Health and the National Road Safety Council." Yet, fifteen years after the ruling, no one dared to touch the issue.

Statistics temper the urgency. Resistance immediately forms. According to former sergeant Barlen Munisami, "we cannot base decisions on what happened in Pamplemousses and then make hasty choices." His argument: statistics show that "the majority of road accidents in Mauritius involve drivers aged between 25 and 50, not seniors."

Seniors are, he claims, "mostly cautious, experienced, and responsible drivers" who use their vehicles "out of necessity, particularly to go to the market, collect their pensions, or attend medical appointments." Many "even avoid driving at night due to reduced visibility," notes Prem Seebaruth, 85, former chairman of the Senior Citizens Association.

"We must not impose an age limit for driving," insists Barlen Munisami. Prem Seebaruth shares this concern. "The government seems to be moving a bit too quickly in this sensitive debate," says this professional bailiff. "The Pamplemousses accident is unfortunate, but when we analyze the total number of accidents since the beginning of the year, we see that the debate may not be entirely relevant," he emphasizes. His conclusion: "With a pension set at 65, many are already suffering. Introducing an age limit for driving now seems a bit ridiculous."

Medical fitness as a compromise. However, neither completely rejects regulation. Barlen Munisami mentions "the possibility of implementing medical evaluations starting at a certain age, such as 70, including vision tests, reflex tests, and general driving fitness assessments." But he warns: "Illness does not only affect the elderly. A young person can suffer from heart problems or vision disorders today. Therefore, we must be extremely cautious in any decision-making."

He even broadens the discussion to include the suitability related to the type of vehicle. "In some countries, driving a heavy vehicle is allowed up to 45 years old. Beyond that, a person can only drive a light vehicle. Even for buses, there can be an age limit," he explains, questioning the applicability of such models in Mauritius, where "the retirement age is set at 65." "We must not upset the elderly population. This is an extremely sensitive topic that requires finesse," he says.

Prem Seebaruth acknowledges that "a measure regulating driving from a certain age is not fundamentally bad, provided it is based on clear, objective, and personalized medical criteria, rather than a uniform approach."

Foreign models. Approaches vary abroad. France and the UK impose no age limit but require drivers to declare any medical condition that may affect their fitness. Japan mandates cognitive testing from age 75, "assessing attention, memory, and decision-making ability." Australia and Canada generally require periodic medical examinations starting at ages 70 or 75. In Singapore, drivers must renew their licenses more frequently from age 65, "conditional on medical tests and functional assessments."

International experts agree on one point: "chronological age alone is not a reliable indicator." Many elderly drivers "maintain very good physical and cognitive abilities, sometimes superior to those of younger drivers." However, certain conditions—vision problems, slowed reflexes, cognitive deficits—"can affect driving, sometimes without the individual being fully aware."

Minister Osman Mahomed has not set any timeline. Fifteen years after the 2009 ruling, Mauritius still struggles to take a decisive stance.

The police announce an increase in controls. The police remain fully mobilized on the roads and will enforce the law with the required rigor. This was indicated by DASP Suhail Lidialam in a statement to Defimedia on February 2.

The senior officer announced an increase in police presence across the island while drawing attention to the rise in cases of driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, and speeding violations. Over the past weekend, 11 cases of driving under the influence of alcohol and four cases of driving under the influence of drugs were recorded. Additionally, 78 drivers were cited for speeding nationwide. In total, more than 1,600 tickets were issued over the weekend.