Elderly drivers 'safer than youths on local roads'

Older drivers may be no more likely to risk a car insurance claim than their younger counterparts, as a survey has shown over 70s to be considerably safer drivers.

A report put together by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) highlights that the common misperception of elderly motorists being more dangerous is unfounded.

According to the findings of the study, eight per cent of drivers are elderly and are responsible for around four per cent of crashes causing injury.

This compares with 15 per cent of motorists in their teens and 20s who are involved in 34 per cent of such incidents.

Older people were also found to rely more heavily on their vehicles than their younger counterparts, with men in their 70s making more trips in their cars than males aged in their teens or 20s.

Neil Greig, IAM director of policy and research, commented that elderly motorists can be given assessments to help them brush up on their motoring skills, potentially also making them less likely to make car or van insurance claims.

"The IAM recommends that, rather than seeking to prevent older people from driving, we need to make them aware of the risks they face, and offer them driving assessments to help them cope with these risks," he stated.

However, Mr Greig also recently told the Telegraph that older people could be restricted from using fast roads to protect their own safety after being shown to be more at risk on motorways.

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The views expressed within the article are entirely those of Adfero Ltd and are not those of the BGL Group