Archive · 5 Nov 2025
India to Implement Psychological Tests for Reckless Drivers and Hold Contractors Accountable
Imagine roads are like games where people drive cars.
India has a lot of accidents, and sadly, many people get hurt or even die.
So, the government is making new rules to make driving safer.
If someone drives very badly over and over, they might have to see a special doctor or counselor to check if they are too stressed or angry to drive safely.
Also, the people who build the roads will be responsible if there's an accident because the road was built badly, like if a turn is too sharp or there are no guardrails.
The government wants to track how people drive, and this could affect how much they pay for car insurance or if they can easily renew their driver's license.
This is like a new plan to make sure everyone, from drivers to road builders, is careful and responsible to keep roads safe for everyone.
The goal is to have many fewer accidents by the year 2030.
India's Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has launched a new plan to reduce road accidents.
Repeat offenders exhibiting dangerous driving behavior will undergo mandatory psychological assessment and counseling.
Highway contractors will be held legally and financially accountable for accidents caused by faulty road design or construction.
Driver behavior data will be integrated with insurance premiums, driving license renewals, and vehicle registration processes.
Pilot programs for these new measures are scheduled to commence in select states by early 2026.
- Who
- Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), states and union territories, highway contractors, certified counselors/psychologists, insurance companies, state transport departments.
- What
- A new plan to curb road accidents by mandating psychological assessments for repeat offenders, linking driver behavior to insurance and license renewals, and holding highway contractors accountable for infrastructure-related crashes.
- When
- Pilot programs expected by early 2026, with a goal to halve road deaths by 2030.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- To reduce India's high rate of road accidents and fatalities by addressing both reckless driving behavior and poor road infrastructure.
Focus on Driver Behavior
Focus on Infrastructure
Addressing Cause of Accidents
Focus on Driver Behavior
Habitual traffic violators and those exhibiting dangerous driving behavior will undergo psychological assessment and counseling to address underlying issues like stress, aggression, and poor risk perception.
Focus on Infrastructure
Highway contractors will be held accountable for crashes caused by faulty road design or substandard project implementation, including poorly designed junctions and inadequate safety features.
Accountability Mechanisms
Focus on Driver Behavior
Driver behavior data will be linked to insurance premiums, license renewals, and vehicle registration, with safer drivers potentially receiving incentives and chronic violators facing higher costs or delays.
Focus on Infrastructure
Engineering lapses and safety non-compliance identified in post-crash audits could lead to financial penalties, suspension of contracts, or criminal liability for contractors.
- Annual Road Deaths (NCRB Data)
- Over 1.6 lakh
- Target for Road Safety
- Halving road deaths by 2030 (UN SDGs)
- Behavioral Reform Pilots
- Expected by early 2026 in select states
- Key Causes of Accidents
- Reckless driving behavior and poor road infrastructure
- New Measures
- Psychological tests for repeat offenders, contractor accountability
- Existing Legislation Mentioned
- Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019