• Driverless car technology could help nearly 1.2 million motorists aged over 75 get back behind the wheel
• Autonomous cars could also see the 15,290 over 75s whose licence were revoked last year back on the road
• Over 560,000 older drivers want technology that drives the car for them
• Can’t come too soon - 64 per cent rise in number of older adults losing their licence on medical grounds
  
  

New analysis by Direct Line Car Insurance reveals the rise of driverless cars is expected to help older people who are currently unable to drive to be able to return to the roads. Last year 15,290 drivers1 aged over 75 had their licence revoked on medical grounds but the introduction of completely autonomous vehicles could enable more than a million2 older drivers to get back behind the wheel.

Research shows that over 560,000 older drivers3 would welcome technology that drives the car for them. The introduction of level five autonomous vehicles, capable of handling any road or weather condition without driver intervention, could allow thousands of drivers to return to the roads.  These vehicles are currently being developed by the likes of Google, BMW, Fiat Chrysler and Tesla. 

Since 2012 there has been a 64 per cent rise in the number of older adults losing their licence on medical grounds. More than a quarter (26 per cent) of all licences revoked on medical grounds in the past five years were taken from drivers aged 75 or over. Analysis reveals that of the 58,725 individuals aged 75 or over to have lost their licence in the past five years, 73 per cent were male and 25 per cent were female4.

Table one: Number of drivers aged 75+ who had their licences revoked in Great Britain, 2012-2016

Source: Direct Line Car Insurance 2017
 

The research also reveals driverless cars could play a vital role in preventing those aged over 75 from feeling socially isolated when they are no longer legally allowed to drive themselves.  When asked how being unable to drive would affect them, 72 per cent of over 75s felt that it would hinder their independence, 69 per cent said that it would limit their ability to see friends and family and 57 per cent stated it would lead to them feeling isolated and lonely.

Nick Reid, head of automotive technology at Direct Line, commented: “Driverless car technology is making significant advances every day and we now live in an age where a future of self-driving cars is no longer viewed as science fiction. They have the potential to have a hugely positive impact on the lives of older generations who wish to retain their independence and social lives, but have mobility issues,. This becomes all the more important when you consider that the number of older drivers is increasing faster than ever.”

The desire of older motorists to remain on the road is backed up by analysis which reveals 304,924 more adults aged over 75 hold a valid driving licence than five years ago. Approximately 2.6 million adults in Great Britain aged over 75 are permitted to get behind the wheel5, a 14 per cent increase since 2012. Over two thirds2 (67 per cent) of these individuals still drive regularly, meaning there are more than 1.7 million motorists aged over 75 on Britain’s roads.

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Notes to Editors

• 1Direct Line analysis of a Freedom of Information Act (2000) request made to the DVLA into the ages of individuals who had had their driving licence revoked on medical grounds, 2012-2016.
• 24,009 online interviews with UK adults, of which 913 were aged 65 or over, conducted by Opinium Research between 4th and 11th July 2017.
• 3Calculation based on the number of over 75-year-olds in the UK (mid-2016 population estimate, ONS) of 5,325,503. 22 per cent of UK adults in this age bracket stated that they either had a full driving licence but never drove (5%), chose not to renew their licence when it last expired (10%) or have never had a driving licence (7%). 22% of 5,325,503 is 1,171,611.
• 4Two per cent of cases where a licence was revoked did not record the gender of the individual involved.
• 5Direct Line analysis of the age of full and provisional driving licence holders in Great Britain, 2012-2016.

For further information please contact:

Chloe French 

PR Manager 

Direct Line Group

Tel: 01651 831 715

Email: [email protected]
 

Antonia Green

Citigate Dewe Rogerson

[email protected]

0207 282 2967
 

Direct Line

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