How old is too old to drive?

Some say age limit good for road safety, but others call them out for stereotyping

- Elaine Lee

A number of accidents involving elderly drivers in recent months have sparked debate over whether seniors should continue to take the wheel.

In September, at least two elderly drivers were involved in police investigations following separate accidents. One of them, aged 77, was arrested over an accident in Toa Payoh that led to the death of an 83-year-old cyclist. In another case, a 70-year-old driver's car collided with the rear of a double-decker bus at a Hillview bus stop.

Such accidents often draw hundreds of comments on social media, with netizens sparring over the merit of having a driving cutoff age.

In Singapore, the statutory age limit for taxi, private-hire car and heavy vehicle drivers is 75, but there is no restriction for those who do not drive for a living.

Motorists aged 65 and above, however, must be certified fit to drive by a Singapore-registered doctor once every three years in order to renew their licences.

During the medical test, drivers have to report their medical history to the doctor, who will check for signs of physical disabilities, psychiatric disorder and hearing difficulty, among other things. A vision test and a basic mental impairment test will also be done.

Proponents of a driving age limit say it will be good for road safety, but others call them out for making ageist assumptions and stereotyping. Some also challenge the notion that elderly drivers are to blame for more accidents.

According to the police, the number of fatal accidents involving drivers aged 65 and above, who include motorcyclists and heavy vehicle drivers, has risen from eight in the first six months of 2023, to 11 in the same period in 2024. In comparison, the figure for drivers aged 64 and below fell from 66 to 63.