As advocates of safe driving here at CarMats.co.uk, the Driving Years study explores how age impacts driving experiences across the UK. For older drivers, we’ll look at how ageing affects driving safety and what consequences this may have.

For younger drivers, we’ll examine their driving abilities in relation to their cognitive development and explore whether technological advancements have made it easier for them to get on the road sooner.

The results revealed:

• In nationwide collision data, the UK’s youngest drivers were more likely to speed, be distracted & drive under the influence of alcohol

• Collision data revealed the UK’s oldest drivers were less likely to look properly, judge speed correctly & more likely to have their driving impacted by an illness or disability

• Younger drivers are passing at higher rates than ever before 

• Fewer older drivers are surrendering their licences 

• Over the past 20 years, collision rates among younger drivers have steadily declined, while rates for older drivers have remained largely unchanged

Part 1: Young Drivers 

The UK’s youngest drivers were more likely to speed, be distracted & drive under the influence of alcohol

For years, the age in which drivers should be on the road or leave the road has been a continued argument - on both sides of the coin. While some argue that older drivers should hand in their licence after 70, others argue that it’s the youngest drivers causing mishaps on the road. 

Driving Age Collision Rates 

This section analyses nationwide data to see how young drivers (aged 17 - 24 years old) compare to those aged 25 and above. Looking at factors such as distraction rates, speeding rate and inexperience while driving. 

Latest government data relating to casualties caused by collisions for the year 2023 revealed that, compared to those aged 25 and older, the youngest group of drivers were rated higher for a number of driving misdemeanours. Some of the worst factors for Gen Z, where the percentage differed the most between the other age groups (listed in the table below), included driver carelessness, loss of control, showing inexperience and speeding. 

Casualty collision rates: How do young drivers compare to the rest of the UK? 

Data revealed that in 2023 there were, 29,711 KSI (killed or severely injured) casualties caused by vehicle collisions. Of this number, 17 - 24-year-olds were responsible for 4,959 casualties (17%). 

In the full results, the only contributory factor where Gen Z scored lower than the rest of the driving population was for the ‘driver or rider failed to look properly’ where the results found this was 19% of Gen Z compared to 21% of the rest of other age groups. 

1 in 8 Gen Z who admit texting while driving

In the table above, the government data revealed that over 1 in 6 of 17 - 24 year olds caught in a collision had been driving recklessly. This could potentially be linked to phone usage while driving, which falls under the CU80 offence which is also known as a breach of requirements as to control a vehicle. 

CarMats.co.uk revealed in a previous study that 1 in 8 young Brits admitted to texting as well as using social media whilst driving and 1 in 4 said they have the urge to use their phone after just 15 minutes on the road. 

Over a third of Brits say they are tempted by the lure of their phone on the road. But for the generation who has been raised on smartphones, this stat was higher, with over half (54%) of 17 - 25 year olds saying they have the urge to use their mobile when driving.

Not much time passes before the compulsion takes over either, as over 1 in 4 admit they have an urge to reach for their phones in just under 15 minutes of driving. 

Are teen brains equipped to drive? 

With support from neurological theories, we explore when our brains have the best cognitive abilities for driving, delving into brain development in young people to assess their cognitive ability for safe driving.

According to Healthline and neurologist and Doctor of Medicine, Igor Smelyansky,  ‘most brains don’t reach full maturation until 23–25 years of age’ and this is when the prefrontal cortex starts to fully develop. 

Until then, adolescents and young adults rely on the amygdala to make decisions,  which is where primitive emotions, urges, impulses and fears are located. Healthline adds: “In practice, this usually looks like acting before thinking things through or otherwise acting impulsively.”

This underdevelopment could therefore lead to poor decision-making and increased risk-taking behaviours in young drivers. 

Not only does this neurological development usually take place after the age of 25, but young people tend to have a heightened reward sensitivity. 

The Healthline article also discusses how a teenage brain processes impulsivity when it comes to pleasure.  

“Known medically as the mesolimbic system, during your teenage years, this pathway is lined with dopamine-releasing neurons, which fire at an increased rate when you anticipate a reward or source of pleasure.”

“As a result, teens are thought to be especially susceptible to substance misuse, alcohol misuse, and other thrill-seeking behaviours.”

This could potentially make young drivers more prone to engaging in risky behaviours like speeding or reckless driving for the thrill, even when they know the dangers. 

Are young drivers more irresponsible and impulsive?

1 in 6 have not worn a seatbelt when driving compared to 1 in 10 of over 55s

Gov data revealed that 12% of younger drivers caught in a collision had been speeding, compared to 4% of drivers aged 25 and over. Speeding is one area where impulsivity has been matched up with age, but in other areas, younger drivers have also shown recklessness when it comes to their safety. 

In a previous nationwide study commissioned by CarMats.co.uk, we found that 1 in 6 Gen Z have not worn a seatbelt when driving, compared to 1 in 10 of those aged over 55. Not wearing a seatbelt also breaches section 14 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, which lists that it is an offence for an adult not to wear a seat belt where one is provided.

Are technological advances increasing youngsters' chances of passing?

DVSA Pass Rates:

Source: Gov.uk

Younger drivers make up a significant portion of driving test statistics, with more Gen Z individuals choosing to drive. Auto Trader’s 2020 research showed a year-on-year increase in car searches by 18-24-year-olds.

Driving test pass rates have also risen steadily, from an average of 45% in 2007-2009 to 49% in 2021-2023. So, is this generation finding driving easier, or are they benefiting from better technology?

Technology Assistance:

Twenty years ago, taking a driving test in the UK was a very different experience. Learners relied on road signs for navigation, manual steering for control, and analogue speedometers to keep track of their speed. Fast forward to 2024, and modern car technology has made many of these tasks much simpler. Today, tests often include following sat-nav directions instead of road signs, and the AA predicts that by next year, over a quarter of all driving tests will be in automatic cars.

Car features like power steering have made it easier for drivers to turn the wheel, especially at low speeds. Cruise control helps maintain a steady speed on long journeys and antilock braking systems prevent skidding following hard brakes. 

Technology has also improved navigation and comfort. Onboard sat-navs, parking cameras, and lane sensors have all helped with our sense of direction and spatial awareness, while heated seats, heated steering wheels and entertainment systems have all created a more enjoyable and comfortable driving experience. 

These car innovations may be part of the reason why driving test pass rates for young learner drivers have, for the majority, been steadily rising over the past 20 years.

Collision casualties caused by young drivers are decreasing 

According to Gov.uk, the number of car casualties in collisions involving younger drivers has been gradually declining year-on-year from 2004 to 2023, with only a few exceptions. This steady decrease reflects improvements in road safety awareness, especially since younger drivers were once considered the most at-risk group on the road. 

The latest advancements in technology may also be the reason younger drivers are causing fewer accidents year-on-year. Features like automatic driving, lane assist, cruise control and anti-lock braking may have helped younger people adapt to life on the road.

These statistics suggest a positive shift towards younger people’s driving habits, whether technology is the reason or not. 

Part 2: Senior Drivers 

Recent pedestrian fatalities involving elderly drivers have sparked renewed debate in the UK about age limits for driving. Some argue for mandatory cognitive tests for older drivers, while others propose requiring a full retest at age 70.

Concerns also extend to the safety of older drivers themselves, with research from the European Commission showing they face a higher risk of fatal injuries in car accidents.

The senior segment of the study will look at how elderly drivers’ abilities compare with younger generations and the safety concerns associated with ageing.

Casualty collision rates: How do older drivers compare to the rest of the UK? 

Data revealed that in 2023 there were, 29,711 KSI (killed or severely injured) casualties caused by vehicle collisions. Of this number, 70+ year-olds were responsible for 3,255 casualties (11%). 

According to Gov.uk, the number of casualties caused by collisions involving older drivers has stayed at a similar level for nearly twenty years. Although in the early 2000s younger drivers were involved in nearly four times as many collisions, the number has continued to decline. 

The steady collision and casualty rate among older drivers, compared to the decline in accidents among younger drivers, could be due to differences in how each generation uses modern car technology. 

Younger drivers are familiar with features like parking sensors, lane assist, and automatic braking, which help prevent accidents. While older drivers may be less inclined to fully use these technologies, meaning they don’t benefit as much from these safety advancements. 

Combined with age-related changes like slower reaction times, this could explain why older drivers’ collision rates have remained relatively unchanged for the past twenty years. 

Our previous survey results from the Driving Habits study also found that 1 in 8 drivers aged 55 and above were involved in more accidents than Gen Z whereby only 3 in 50 had been involved in collisions.

Driving Age Collision Rates 

In this section, we’ll look at nationwide data to see how older drivers (aged 70 years and older) compared to those aged 25 and above. 

Government nationwide data relating to collisions for the year 2023 revealed that, of those aged 25 and older, the oldest group of drivers (70+ years) were rated higher for a number of driving misdemeanours. Some of the worst factors for the seventy-plus post-war generation, where the percentage differed the most between the other age groups, included failing to look properly, failing to judge another driver’s path or speed and collisions caused by a driver’s physical or mental illness or disability.

Contributory factor attributed to vehicles in collisions where the % was higher for 70+-year-olds than other ages on the road

Many of these contributory factors where older drivers were worse than the rest of the general driving public could be linked to natural age-related changes. The higher percentage of older drivers failing to look properly could be tied to worsening eyesight, with conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, or reduced peripheral vision making it harder to spot hazards or judge their surroundings accurately.

As well, the increased likelihood of failing to judge another person’s path or speed may stem from slower reaction times and reduced depth perception, both of which become more common with age. This makes it harder for older drivers to anticipate other road users’ actions, such as cars merging or allowing pedestrians to cross.

The Gov.uk data also shows that older drivers are more likely to have collisions that have been directly caused by physical or mental illness. Age-related conditions like arthritis, which can limit mobility, or cognitive issues like dementia, which affect decision-making could impact an elderly driver’s physical and mental driving stamina. Other potential factors could include the side effects of medications prescribed for age-related conditions which can often cause drowsiness or slower reactions, adding to the risks.

Fewer people are surrendering their licences 

Although there is no legal age at which you must stop driving, older drivers are the age group most likely to surrender their licences, due to the medical conditions that arise with getting older. 

Over the past five years, 23% fewer drivers have voluntarily surrendered their licences, dropping from 35,481 in 2019 to 28,732 in 2023, and the rate for 2024 continues to look relatively low as 23,598 had surrendered their licences up until September in 2024.

The information recorded by the DVLA can be found in the table below.  

This shows the number of GB licence holders that voluntarily surrendered their entitlement to drive for medical reasons, broken down by calendar year.

*Please note the data for 2024 is for between 1 January, up to and including 3  September 2024.  

There could be a few reasons for this decline. Advances in medical treatments might be helping older drivers manage health issues better, allowing them to stay on the road longer. 

Recent stats have shown a decrease in bus usage, with a 19% drop in passenger journeys from 2011/2012 to 2023. This change could indicate that many older people are relying on driving to maintain their independence, especially in areas where public transport isn’t always reliable. While this decline suggests positive changes, it also raises questions about whether some may be continuing to drive despite potential safety concerns.

Reports to the DVLA about individuals’ fitness to drive have increased 

Like surrendering your licence, drivers who are reported to the DVLA tend to be older people or people who have a medical condition that reduces their fitness to drive. A Freedom of Information request submitted by the CarMats.co.uk team found that, in 2024, 26,435 notifications were submitted to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency from across Great Britain with concerns over a person's fitness to drive.

That is up 12% from 23,682 in 2023, despite not being the full amount for the whole of 2024.  These notifications include those from the police, members of the public and medical professionals.

*The figures for 2024 are up to and including 21 November 2024.

Of the 190 medical conditions you must report to the DVLA, 36% are associated with old age.

Having compiled a seedlist of the 190 medical conditions that need to be reported to the DVLA, the CarMats.co.uk team found that over a third (36%) are linked to old age, showing how much age-related health issues can affect driving. The list is as follows:

Eye conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration reduce clarity and peripheral vision, making it harder to react to hazards, especially in low light. While age-related hearing loss and a decline in reaction times can delay responses to sudden events or important sounds like horns or sirens. 

As we age, much of the population will see a decline in their cognitive skills and may even be diagnosed with dementia, which can impair judgment and decision-making, leading to mistakes on the road. 

Other chronic conditions that can be brought on with age include illnesses like arthritis, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease which can limit mobility or cause episodes of dizziness or fainting.

Medications often used by older drivers, like blood pressure tablets, sedatives, and painkillers, can also impact their ability to drive safely. Side effects such as drowsiness, slower reaction times, and reduced coordination can make driving more dangerous. 

Conclusion

The Driving Years Study shows how age impacts driving in different ways for younger and older drivers. Younger drivers, while improving their collision rates over the past 20 years, were more likely to engage in risky behaviours. This could be linked to their brains still developing, making them more impulsive and daring on the road. The study did reveal a positive shift when it comes to car casualties and collisions, however, which could be linked to better road safety awareness or advanced car technology. 

The study also revealed that older drivers face challenges from age-related health issues such as declining eyesight, slower reaction times, and medical conditions, often worsened by medication side effects. Despite this, fewer are surrendering their licences.

To maintain safety on the road, younger drivers could benefit from putting down their phones, building safer habits, and gaining more experience on the road. While older drivers should keep up with regular health and vision checks, understand how their medications might affect them, and consider retaking a driving test or surrendering their licence if they feel their driving ability has declined.