Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Motorists aged 50 and over are safer risk, survey shows

Sunday 14 August 1994 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

MOTORISTS aged 50 or over have far fewer accidents and commit fewer offences than younger drivers even though they use their cars more often, according to a survey published today.

Under-50s are twice as likely to get parking tickets or go through red lights than the older drivers, the survey, for the Direct Line insurance company, said .

Older drivers also spent less on new cars, bought smaller vehicles than their younger counterparts and kept them longer. They made more use of unleaded petrol and were more careful about drinking and driving, said the survey, conducted by MORI. It showed that:

Eighty per cent of motorists aged over 50 drive every day or on most days, compared with 76 per cent of 17 to 49-year-olds.

Under-50s drive an average of 11,300 miles a year, while over-50s do 9,100 miles a year.

In all age groups, male drivers average 12,100 miles a year and women 8,500.

Forty-seven per cent of the 17-49s have two or more cars per household, compared with 29 per cent of over-50s.

Eighteen per cent of under-50s and 11 per cent of over-50s had a collision in the past two years, while 16 per cent of under-50s and 12 per cent of over-50s reported their parked car having been hit by another vehicle.

In the past year, 18 per cent of under-50s and 7 per cent of over-50s got parking tickets, while 6 per cent of under-50s and 2 per cent of over-50s were caught speeding.

Twice as many cars owned by under-50s were broken into as those owned by over-50s in the past two years - 16 per cent and 8 per cent respectively.

Car thefts affected 7 per cent of under-50s and 5 per cent of over-50s in the past two year.

Almost twice as many over-50s as under-50s bought a new car in the past two years - 38 per cent compared to 20 per cent.

Younger drivers spent more on average on new cars than older motorists - pounds 10,400 as opposed to pounds 8,900.

Direct Line said that the over-50s would account for one third of the population by 2001, which would have a major impact on driving behaviour and trends.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in