Older driver statistics 2024

Older driver statistics

U.S. Census Bureau data shows between 1920 and 2020, that the number of U.S. adults ages 65 and older grew almost five times faster than the overall population. By 2022, more than 19% of the total population was 65 or older. The overall growth in the number of older adults has also led to increasing numbers of older licensed drivers.

According to 2022 data from the U.S. Department of Transportation, more than 51 million licensed drivers were 65 or older that year. This represents 21.8% of all licensed drivers in the country. Both numbers have grown significantly over the past 25 years. In 1995, there were only 25 million licensed drivers ages 65 and older — these older adults made up 14.2% of all licensed drivers.

How many Americans are age 65-plus?

There are approximately 54.7 million Americans ages 65 and older. This population grew by 34.6% between 2012 and 2022. There are four states where these older adults make up more than 20% of the population: Maine, Florida, West Virginia and Vermont. States with the lowest percentage of older adults as a proportion of the overall population include Utah (11.4%), Alaska (12.8%) and Texas (12.9%).

The U.S. Census Bureau projects that by 2050 the U.S. population will include 99.8 million adults ages 65 and older. These older adults are expected to make up nearly 28% of the country’s total population.

At 29.4%, West Virginia is the state with the highest percentage of licensed drivers who are 65 or older. In contrast, Utah has the lowest percentage of older drivers — in the Beehive State, only 16.5% of licensed drivers are 65 or older.

States with the most older drivers

Thanks to its large population, California is the state with the most licensed drivers 65 and older, with more than 5 million. Given its status as a retirement destination, it is perhaps not surprising that Florida has the second largest number of drivers ages 65-plus, at just over 4 million. Assessing statistics, there are seven states in the U.S. where older drivers make up more than 25% of the driving population.

Automobile crashes among older drivers

According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drivers ages 65 and older are involved in fewer traffic crashes than younger drivers.

Data for fatal crashes paint a similar picture, although the involvement rates for drivers ages 74 and older increase slightly compared to drivers between the ages of 65 and 74.

Older data from the AAA Safety Foundation somewhat complicates numbers, indicating that when miles driven are considered, crash rates for older drivers are higher in comparison to other age groups. Data further indicates that fatal crash rates for the oldest drivers (ages 80+) even exceed the rates for the youngest drivers.

Which states have the most elderly driving fatalities?

Between 1999 and 2022, motor vehicle crash fatalities among those ages 65 and older increased by 23%, going from 7,780 to 9,547. States with the highest number of automobile fatalities involving an older driver tend to be those with the highest numbers of licensed drivers ages 65 and older.

However, the states with the highest proportion of driving-related fatalities involving at least one driver age 65 or older yielded completely different results.

How does age affect car insurance rates?

Insurance companies base their rates on statistical probabilities. Because younger drivers are statistically more likely to be involved in serious accidents, their car insurance rates are typically higher. As noted above, involvement rates in serious accidents are highest for younger drivers but also increase for drivers ages 74 and older (particularly when the number of miles driven is taken into account). As a result, car insurance rates can increase for older drivers, although they remain significantly lower than rates for the youngest drivers.

References

1. Office of Highway Policy Information. “Highway Statistics 2022 - Table DL-20.” U.S. Department of Transportation. Evaluated May 14, 2024.Link Here
2. Office of Highway Policy Information. “Highway Statistics 2022 - Table DL-22.” U.S. Department of Transportation. Evaluated May 14, 2024.Link Here
3. Caplan, Z. “U.S. Older Population Grew From 2010 to 2020 at Fastest Rate Since 1880 to 1890.” U.S. Census Bureau. Evaluated May 14, 2024.Link Here
4. “2023 National Population Projections Tables - Table 2.” U.S. Census Bureau. Evaluated May 14, 2024.Link Here
5. Office of Highway Policy Information. “Highway Statistics 1995 - Table DL-20.” U.S. Department of Transportation. Evaluated May 14, 2024.Link Here
6. Office of Highway Policy Information. “Highway Statistics 2000 - Table DL-20.” U.S. Department of Transportation. Evaluated May 14, 2024.Link Here
7. Office of Highway Policy Information. “Highway Statistics 2005 - Table DL-20.” U.S. Department of Transportation. Evaluated May 14, 2024.Link Here
8. Office of Highway Policy Information. “Highway Statistics 2010 - Table DL-20.” U.S. Department of Transportation. Evaluated May 14, 2024.Link Here
9. Office of Highway Policy Information. “Highway Statistics 2015 - Table DL-20.” U.S. Department of Transportation. Evaluated May 14, 2024.Link Here
10. Office of Highway Policy Information. “Highway Statistics 2020 - Table DL-20.” U.S. Department of Transportation. Evaluated May 14, 2024.Link Here
11. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Traffic Safety Facts 2021 - Table 62.” U.S. Department of Transportation. Evaluated May 14, 2024.Link Here
12. Tefft, B., et al. “Rates of Motor Vehicle Crashes, Injuries and Deaths in Relation to Driver Age, United States, 2014-2015.” AAA Safety Foundation. Evaluated May 14, 2024.Link Here
13. “Injury Facts: Older Drivers.” National Safety Council. Evaluated May 14, 2024.Link Here
14. “Preserving the Mobility and Safety of Older Americans.” TRIP. Evaluated May 14, 2024.Link Here
15. Frady, B. “Auto Insurance Rates by Age.” AutoInsurance.org. Evaluated May 14, 2024.Link Here