Number of drivers aged over 80 passes one million…and 122 are more than 100 years old

By
Andrew Levy

Last updated at 12:10 AM on 14th February 2012

They’re often accused of pottering about like Sunday drivers every day of the week and having no respect for the rush hour motorist.

But older drivers are becoming a force to be reckoned with after the number aged 80 or over topped the million mark for the first time.

Just over 660,000 men and 350,000 women who have reached their ninth decade are still getting behind the wheel on a regular basis.

Over-80s represent around three per cent of drivers on British roads - and the number is set to continue rising as people live longer

Over-80s represent around three per cent of drivers on British roads – and the number is set to continue rising as people live longer

This includes more than 65,000 people over 90 and 122 over 100, including three 105-year-olds and a 106-year-old woman.

The number now dwarfs young drivers, with just 682,000 17-19-year-olds qualified to drive.

Overall, over-80s represent around three per cent of drivers on British roads – and the number is set to continue rising as people live longer.

The figures were obtained in a Freedom of Information request to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency by the Institute of Advanced Motorists.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: ‘Older people need their cars which give them better mobility and access to more activities and services.

‘Those who wish to continue driving beyond the age of 70 should only be prevented from doing so if there are compelling reasons.

‘Rather than seeking to prevent older people from driving, we should make them more aware of the risks they face and offer them driving assessments to help them eliminate bad habits.’

The number of over-80s drivers now dwarfs young drivers - with just 682,000 17-19-year-olds qualified to drive. Young driver, above, posed by model

The number of over-80s drivers now dwarfs young drivers – with just 682,000 17-19-year-olds qualified to drive. Young driver, above, posed by model

The current system of allowing motorists aged over 70 to declare medical problems to the DVLA has been criticised for not weeding out unfit or dangerous drivers.

Former Formula One driver Sir Stirling Moss has previously called for driving tests every five years after the age of 70.

But the number of deaths and serious injuries among over-80s is three times less than among 17 to 19-year-olds.

The age group was also twice as reliable as 20 to 24-year-olds and almost as safe as people aged 25 to 29.

Over-80s were actually more likely to suffer serious injuries themselves in a car crash because they are frailer than younger drivers.

A U.S. study last year found children were much safer being driven by their grandparents by their mothers and fathers. In many cases, grandparents drove cautiously to protect their ‘precious cargo’.

Research carried out in 2010 also found older motorists were as good at responding to risks as middle-aged people.

Both groups scored better than inexperienced drivers, who tended to fixate on what was straight ahead.

Charities representing older people yesterday said pensioner motorists were ‘something to be celebrated, rather than feared’.

Paul Green, of Saga, said people were living longer and healthier lives and cars were an essential means of transport for many of them.

‘This shouldn’t worry other road users because older drivers are inherently safer,’ he added.

‘They choose not to drive in poor light or when it’s icy and the accidents they have tend to be reversing into bollards.’

Michelle Mitchell, director general of Age UK, added: ‘Ability and safety, not age, should determine if someone should be allowed to continue driving.’

‘They choose not to drive in poor light or when it’s icy and the accidents they have tend to be reversing into bollards.’

Michelle Mitchell, director general of Age UK, added: ‘Ability and safety, not age, should determine if someone should be allowed to continue driving.’

Here’s what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts,
or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have not been moderated.

Nobody over the age of 80 should still be driving that should be the end of your driving days full stop, and before all the comments start i am 65 not a youngster.
Its not just the physical side of things but reaction times slow as you get older yes their might be a few exceptions but in general 80 is old enough, if people over the age of 80 still want to drive then a medical and a short driving test every 5 years should do the trick.

– Trevor, Ammanford, Wales,
More Miss Marples and fewer impatient youngsters on the roads will make them safer. The real safety issue is to do with cars being too powerfl for young drivers. Speed limits need to be enforced by technology [ e.g.enter a 30 mph zone and your car is electronically restricted to 30 mph maximum]. In addition to controlling speed we shouild use technology to restrict acceleration at the same time. 0 to 60 of 25 seconds would be good for anyone under 30 and for all BMW drivers.

I followed a “Miss Marple” the other day, she was travelling at 15mph, no one could get past her because of the oncoming traffic and she had caused a considerable tailback before turning into TESCO. In this case and any more like her, I’m afraid I would have to recommend that they hangs up their keys.

I am 82 and drive everywhere every day. My reaction to idiot motorbikes and lorries and buses who have no conception or anticipation is faster than many forty years younger. So please shut up about over seventies, that is vastly out of date today.

I am 82 and drive everywhere every day. My reaction to idiot motorbikes and lorries and buses who have no conception or anticipation is faster than many forty years younger. So please shut up about over seventies, that is vastly out of date today.

This is a difficult one, but perhaps a doctors certificate should be required for over seventies. Everyone should remember they will all be old one day and driving to the shops may become easier than walking for some. So we should all be a bit more tolerant of other drivers.

And yet noone will admit some older drivers cannot drive safely anymore but will accuse all young drivers of being boy racers and menaces. There are good and bad drivers in all age groups.

just need signs in braille to stop them driving the wrong way down motorways

the problems come when these drivers won’t or can’t admit that they are no longer capable of driving safely…

I bet most of the over 80s only use their car to go to the out of town supermarket.
Thus, with road tax,insurance tax,fuel tax and council parking taxes,the government takes a lot of the state pension back in taxes,for little in return.
(Where I live, my road has only had one treatment of resurfacing in 50 years!)

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