Average Age Elderly Drivers Stop Driving: Stats & Insights

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APA:Khan, U. (2025, February 1). Average Age Elderly Drivers Stop Driving: Stats & Insights. RetirementLiving.com. Accessed February 18, 2025, from https://www.retirementliving.com/best-car-insurance/average-age-elderly-stop-driving
Chicago:Khan, Usama. “Average Age Elderly Drivers Stop Driving: Stats & Insights.” RetirementLiving.com. Last updated February 1, 2025. https://www.retirementliving.com/best-car-insurance/average-age-elderly-stop-driving.
MLA:Khan, Usama. “Average Age Elderly Drivers Stop Driving: Stats & Insights.” RetirementLiving.com, February 1 2025, https://www.retirementliving.com/best-car-insurance/average-age-elderly-stop-driving.

Open Access

People in the age group of 70 have a greater probability of being in fatal car crashes when compared to any other age group besides drivers 25 years or younger.  The likelihood of fatal crashes increases at around the age of 70 and peaks at 85 years old.

1 in every 6 drivers in the US is 65 and older, making it around 40 million older adults driving on the road. In 2022, drivers aged 80 and older accounted for 39% of multiple-vehicle crashes at intersections compared to 21% for drivers ages 16-59.

Road Safety and Accidents Among Elderly Population

Experts in road safety predicted that by 2030, older adult drivers who are at least 65 years old will be responsible for 25% of the total fatal car crashes. 

This underscores the need to prioritize safety measures and make informed decisions about the driving safety of older adults.

The fatal crash rate for elderly drivers is higher compared to middle-aged and younger drivers, except for teenage drivers aged 16 to 19.

Over the last 20 years, the number of senior drivers with a driving license has reached 48 million. A research study conducted in North Carolina shows that 20% of the drivers who tried to get their driver’s license renewed were aged 80 and older. 

Compared to states with no such strict license renewal requirement, and states with laws that require additional testing for license renewal, the fatality rates per licensed driver for drivers 55 years and older remain high.

Research also shows that people drive 7 to 10 years longer than they should.

The population of elderly drivers has increased from 14% in 2001 to 21% in 2021. The proportion of fatal crashes involving drivers aged 65+ has increased from 11% in 2001 to 19% in 2021.

When Should Elderly Drivers Stop Driving

Compared to drivers aged 35-54, drivers aged 70 and older make frequent surveillance errors and misjudge the car’s speed and distance. The ratio of older people losing their lives in car crashes also remains considerably high. In 2022, 71% of people killed in crashes involved drivers aged 70 years and older.  

To prevent such fatalities, here are the signs one should look out for to decide when they should stop driving.

Decline in Physical Health

Physical decline begins when one reaches the age of 50 years and worsens as we age. Deterioration of physical health is greatly linked with the ability to even sit down let alone drive. In the 50s and onwards, it is seen that both men and women struggle to rise from a chair and stand on one leg.

Aging impacts all physical capabilities, particularly hearing, reaction time, and muscle tone which makes it difficult for older people to navigate their way around braking and steering the vehicle.

A few of the key signs of physical decline include chronic fatigue, difficulty climbing the stairs, change in appetite, and getting sick often.

Cognitive Decline

Cognitive decline refers to deterioration in thought, perception, and reaction. Cognitive decline manifests itself through various signs such as memory loss, inability to follow traffic cues, and struggle to concentrate.

Impaired Vision

Visual impairments, such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma, become more common with age. If you struggle with night vision, find it challenging to drive in difficult weather, need to squint to see clearly, or have difficulty distinguishing colors, it’s crucial to schedule a vision test.

Each American state has its own set of vision requirements for senior drivers. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) screens the drivers with and without corrective lenses. The most common requirement for obtaining a driver’s license is having at least 20/40 vision in one eye.

Medical Conditions After Which Elderly Drivers Should Stop Driving 

Driving with medical conditions can have a serious impact on your driving abilities. 

A few medical conditions that are alarming and should be taken seriously are:

Arthritis

Arthritis is chronic inflammation and pain in joints which significantly hinders the ability to drive safely and comfortably. Individuals with rheumatoid arthritis require assistive devices to drive. According to the CDC, around 53 million US adults have arthritis. And  25.7 million of the people who have been diagnosed with Arthritis suffer from arthritis-attributable activity limitation.

Arthritis causes muscle and joint deterioration which impacts physical strength. Based on data from 2005-08, the elevated rate of fatal crashes involving senior drivers was primarily attributed to their increased physical fragility.

Progressing disease is also linked with an increased variability in braking on the road. Arthritis medication further increases reaction time and reflex actions as they induce drowsiness.

Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Alzheimer’s and dementia lead to memory loss and impact decision-making. Estimates show that 4.4% of male drivers aged 75 years and older have dementia, and 1 in 9 adults aged 65 or above has Alzheimer’s. 

People experiencing memory loss may struggle to recognize their driving limitations and often need assistance to ensure their safety on the road.

In some U.S. states, individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or memory loss may have their driver’s license revoked. However, other states require these individuals to take a driving test to assess their abilities.

FAQs

How old is too old to drive?

In the U.S., there isn’t a set age limit that defines when someone is “too old” to drive. No state has an official maximum driving age, meaning individuals can legally drive regardless of how old they are. However, many states have stricter renewal rules for senior drivers, such as requiring more frequent vision tests or additional assessments to ensure their driving abilities remain safe.

What is the average age seniors stop driving?

On average, older adults in the U.S. tend to stop driving around the age of 75. However, this varies based on an individual’s physical and cognitive health. While some may give up driving earlier due to medical conditions or safety concerns, others continue driving well into their 80s or even 90s, depending on their abilities and state regulations.

How does aging affect your driving abilities?

Aging can weaken physical abilities, reduce vision, and impair depth perception, making it harder to focus and navigate traffic. It can also slow decision-making, such as when to brake or react to road situations.

How to know when you should stop driving?

There’s no specific age to stop driving but watch for signs of aging or medical conditions that affect hearing, vision, mobility, memory, or decision-making.

If you decide to keep driving, how to keep driving safely?

The key to safe driving is knowing your limits. Avoid driving if you’re unsure or uncomfortable, especially long distances, in bad weather, or at night. Stick to familiar routes and stay focused by eliminating distractions, as they increase the risk of accidents.

Bottom Line 

There is no set age for stopping driving, but many people choose to stop in their 70s due to health-related declines. Despite this, around 48 million elderly drivers in the U.S. still hold active licenses. According to the 2017 National Household Travel Survey, 82% of adults aged 65 and older were still driving, compared to 92% of those aged 25–64.

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