More than a million drivers aged 80 plus

Monday, 13 February 2012

by Claire Hayhurst

More than a million drivers in Britain are over the age of 80.

DVLA figures show that there are currently 1,012,399 driver over the age of 80 on our country's roads.

Out of these, 122 are over the age of 100 - with three 105 year olds and one 106 year old woman.

The age gap between the youngest driving license holder and the oldest is 90 years.

Road safety campaigners say older drivers are not dangerous, with figures showing they are in fact much safer than their younger counterparts.

The rate of deaths and serious injuries in crashes among drivers aged over 80 is three times less than the rate for those aged 17-19.

But elderly drivers are more likely to suffer serious injuries in a car crash due to their frailty.

Simon Best is chief executive of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, who revealed the figures through a Freedom of Information request to the DVLA.

He 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.

"Driving helps older people play a full and active part in society."

The number of older drivers will continue to rise as the Office of National Statistics predicts that there will be 8.7million people over the age of 75 by 2033.

This will represent an increase of 81.1 per cent of over 75 year-olds since 2008 - some 4.8 million people.