One in seven drivers now think pensioners should display an 'E' plate on their car to show they are an elderly driver, according to new study.

Research carried out since Prince Philip's high-profile crash shows people are increasingly concerned about the safety of older drivers and 42 per cent think they should have to retake their test when they reach 75.

Researchers even found that 14 per cent say that once drivers hit 65 they shouldn’t be allowed to drive larger vehicles like 4x4s and SUVs, and restricted to smaller cars so they do less damage if they crash.

In addition, the study by Privilege Car Insurance found that one in five (21 per cent) felt all motorists over 65 should now be required to have a black box fitted to their car to monitor their driving.

Over a third (36 per cent) thought elderly drivers were a higher risk due to poor eyesight, while a diminished ability to think quickly (34 per cent) and a decline in spatial awareness (30 per cent) were also felt to be true of drivers over the age of 65.

The Privilege Car Insurance study also found that drivers aged under 20 and those over 70 are regarded as the most dangerous on the road.

Indeed, two thirds (65 per cent) of us now believe motorists aged 70 and over are typically 'dangerous' or 'very dangerous'.

However, the truth of the matter may in fact be rather different.

While 16 per cent of drivers under the age of 34 say they have had an accident in the past three years, just 5 per cent of over-55s say the same.

Perhaps buoyed by this fact, older drivers weren’t shy in sticking up for themselves, with three quarters (77 per cent) stating young drivers were dangerous or very dangerous on the road, and over half (54 per cent) complaining the youngsters listen to music too loudly when driving.

Four in ten older drivers (40 per cent) even thought their younger counterparts should have a telematics box fitted to monitor their driving, a fact that one in five (19 per cent) young drivers actually agreed with.

The research into how we view other road users indicates that we are most fearful of those in the biggest and smallest cars.

More than a third (35 per cent) believes those in small hatchbacks, such as Fiestas and Polos, tend to be dangerous and 34 per cent are wary of SUVs and 4x4s.

In contrast, a mere 13 per cent believe drivers of family hatchbacks, such as a VW Golf, are dangerous and those behind the wheel of an estate are considered the safest (just 5 per cent).

It seems we’re also fearful of smokers, with 65 per cent of drivers believing those that smoke or vape to be a danger to other road users, however, we relax when we see dogs, with one in four drivers (23 per cent) thinking a dog in a boot makes for a safer driver.

Charlotte Fielding, head of Privilege Car Insurance said, “We all have opinions about who are the safest drivers on the road, but they might not always be justified.

“Interestingly, both older and younger drivers recommended telematics black boxes for each other to make them safer, At Privilege, inexperienced drivers can save a significant amount of money by having one of our telematics plug ins installed, and there are no curfews restricting their freedom to drive.”

-ends-

For more information, please contact: Georgia Andrewes at Richmond & Towers:

[email protected] / 020 3179 0720

 

Notes to editors:

Research carried out amongst a nationally representative sample of 2,005 UK adults by Opinium Research from 26^th to 28^th February 2019.

 

There is no legal age at which you have to stop driving in the UK; however, British driving licences currently expire when the holder reaches 70 years old. The licence can be renewed for three years, and then needs to be renewed every three years. You do not currently have to take another test.

Source: directline.com/car-cover/advice-for-older-drivers

 

Privilege

Privilege Insurance specialises in car insurance for safe drivers. It also offers home insurance and breakdown cover by phone or on-line.

 

Privilege general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

 

Privilege and UK Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.  

 

Customers can find out more about Privilege’s products or get a quote by calling

0345 246 0515 or visiting www.privilege.co.uk