Auto Insurance
Rate of Drivers 70 and Older Has Risen 30% in Past Decade
Like a fine wine, many things in life get better with age — but hand-eye coordination isn’t one of them. This decline can make many tasks, including driving, more difficult.
According to the latest ValuePenguin study, the share of licensed drivers 70 and older has risen 30.1% in the last decade. At the same time, the portion of fatal crashes involving drivers 65 and older has also increased, from 22.8% in 2013 to 24.4% in 2022.
Below, we dive into the statistics by state — and their implications for road safety and auto insurance costs.
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Key findings
- The rate of licensed drivers 70 and older has risen significantly. In 2013, 11.1% of drivers in the U.S. were 70 and older. In 2022, that rose to 14.5% — an increase of 30.1%. This comes amid an increase in the rate of fatal crashes involving drivers 65 and older.
- West Virginia has the highest percentage of drivers 70 and older. About 1 in 5 (20.1%) Mountain State drivers fall into this category, ahead of New Hampshire (19.1%) and Vermont (18.9%). Conversely, the District of Columbia (9.6%), Utah (10.8%) and Alaska (11.5%) have the smallest share of drivers in this age group.
- Since 2013, New Hampshire has seen a 75.3% increase in the rate of licensed drivers 70 and older — the highest by state. Alaska (71.7%) and Hawaii (57.7%) follow, with New Mexico (51.1%) the only other state with an increase of at least 50.0%.
- Minnesota is the only state where the rate of drivers 70 and older has fallen. Between 2013 and 2022, the proportion of drivers 70 and older dropped by 1.4%. The states with the smallest increases were the District of Columbia (10.0%) and North Dakota (14.5%).
Rate of older drivers rises significantly
Over 10 years, the U.S. share of older drivers has increased significantly. In 2022, 34.0 million licensed drivers 70 and older were on America’s roadways, representing 14.5% of the driving population. That’s compared with 2013’s 23.6 million, or 11.1% of drivers. All told, that’s an increase of 30.1%.
These statistics may not come as a surprise. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the 65-plus demographic grew by 38.6% between 2010 and 2020 — the fastest for that population in over a hundred years. (The decade between 1880 and 1890 saw a growth rate of 40.3%.)
Change in rate of drivers 70 and older
Number of drivers 70 and older in 2013 | % of driving population in 2013 | Number of drivers 70 and older in 2022 | % of driving population in 2022 | Change in % of driving population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23.6 million | 11.1% | 34.0 million | 14.5% | 30.1% |
Source: ValuePenguin analysis of U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) data.
Be it thanks to medical advances, the aging baby boomer generation or both, more elders means more older drivers. Of course, plenty of those drivers are safe on the road. "Not all drivers 70 and older are unsafe," says ValuePenguin auto insurance expert Divya Sangameshwar, "and there’s no set age when someone should stop driving."
Rather than a specific age, drivers and their families should look for the onset of age-related declines in the physical abilities associated with driving — such as vision, reaction time, cognition and grip strength. "Older Americans suffering from chronic illnesses and taking medications may also find their strength and coordination weakened, making them vulnerable behind the wheel," she adds.
Rate of fatal crashes involving older drivers increases, too
As the share of older drivers has increased, so too has the percentage of fatal car crashes involving older drivers (here defined as those 65 and older). In 2013, 22.8% of fatal crashes involved an older driver, but that figure was up to 24.4% as of 2022.
Rate of fatal crashes involving drivers 65 and older
Year | Rate |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 22.8% |
| 2014 | 22.6% |
| 2015 | 22.9% |
| 2016 | 23.6% |
| 2017 | 23.8% |
| 2018 | 24.5% |
| 2019 | 25.6% |
| 2020 | 21.9% |
| 2021 | 23.2% |
| 2022 | 24.4% |
| 2013-2022 | 23.6% |
Source: ValuePenguin analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data.
While the increase isn’t completely linear, it follows an upward trend. (A notable exception is 2020, when fatal crashes with older drivers fell to 21.9% — likely owing to them being at higher risk of COVID-19-related complications, and thus perhaps more likely to shelter in place.)
In total, there were 123,072 fatal car crashes involving an older driver between 2013 and 2022 — with 14,647 in 2022 alone.
About 1 in 5 drivers in West Virginia are 70 and older
While the share of drivers 70 and older is up nationwide, some states boast more older drivers than others. West Virginia takes the lead, with 20.1% of its licensed drivers having already celebrated their 70th birthday. New Hampshire and its neighbor Vermont take second and third, with 19.1% and 18.9% of their drivers falling into this age category, respectively.
According to Census data, all three states have proportionally higher populations of adults 65 and older. Nationwide, that demographic makes up 17.3% of the population; in all three states, the share is north of 20%. (By this measure, Vermont is in the lead, with 21.6% of its population having reached 65.) All three states are also fairly sparsely populated, making driving more necessary.
It’s worth noting that these three states also suffered higher-than-average rates of fatal crashes involving drivers 65 and older. Over the decade studied, 23.6% of deadly crashes in the U.S. involved an older driver. In New Hampshire, that figure rose to 29.9%, followed by Vermont at 29.6% and West Virginia at 28.3%.
Still, Sangameshwar points out, teen drivers have the highest auto insurance premiums of any age group, so youthful reflexes aren’t everything.
States with the highest share of drivers 70 and older
Rank | State | Number of drivers 70 and older | Number of total drivers | % of drivers 70 and older |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia | 230,986 | 1,148,406 | 20.1% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 224,527 | 1,174,826 | 19.1% |
| 3 | Vermont | 90,334 | 478,421 | 18.9% |
Source: ValuePenguin analysis of DOT FHWA data.
Although the rate of older drivers is on the rise in every state except Minnesota, some states and geographic areas have a relatively low share of drivers 70 and older on the road. In this metric, the District of Columbia leads, with only 9.6% of its drivers having celebrated their 70th birthday. Utah follows at 10.8%, with Alaska third at 11.5%.
Again, these trends fall in line with Census data. Compared with the nationwide 17.3% population of people 65 and older, only 12.0% of Utah’s population has reached that milestone — along with 13.0% of D.C. residents and 13.9% of Alaskans.
States with the lowest share of drivers 70 and older
Rank | State | Number of drivers 70 and older | Number of total drivers | % of drivers 70 and older |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 49,230 | 510,985 | 9.6% |
| 2 | Utah | 242,792 | 2,252,656 | 10.8% |
| 3 | Alaska | 60,078 | 521,220 | 11.5% |
Source: ValuePenguin analysis of DOT FHWA data.
The District of Columbia’s lead may also be aided by its robust public transit system, eliminating the need to drive for many residents.
Full rankings: States with the highest/lowest share of drivers 70 and older
Rank | State | Number of drivers 70 and older | Number of total drivers | % of drivers 70 and older |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia | 230,986 | 1,148,406 | 20.1% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 224,527 | 1,174,826 | 19.1% |
| 3 | Vermont | 90,334 | 478,421 | 18.9% |
| 4 | Oregon | 546,702 | 3,104,916 | 17.6% |
| 5 | Delaware | 149,010 | 862,122 | 17.3% |
| 6 | Montana | 147,950 | 870,882 | 17.0% |
| 6 | Maine | 179,822 | 1,060,461 | 17.0% |
| 8 | Alabama | 692,192 | 4,087,885 | 16.9% |
| 8 | Arkansas | 389,635 | 2,306,921 | 16.9% |
| 8 | Florida | 2,780,876 | 16,495,556 | 16.9% |
| 11 | Mississippi | 342,698 | 2,047,069 | 16.7% |
| 12 | Louisiana | 566,177 | 3,401,947 | 16.6% |
Source: ValuePenguin analysis of DOT FHWA data.
Older driving population grows by 75% in New Hampshire
Along with boasting the second-largest share of drivers 70 and older, New Hampshire also saw the greatest rise in that driving population over a decade. Between 2013 and 2022, that demographic grew 75.3% from 10.9% to 19.1%.
While Alaska may have one of the smallest shares of older drivers, the proportion is growing rapidly, with the second-highest increase in the share of drivers 70-plus over a decade at 71.7%. The other noncontinental U.S. state, Hawaii, comes in third, though its rise is substantially lower than the front-runners’ at 57.7%. (Fortunately, both of these still have a lower-than-national-average rate of fatal crashes involving an older driver, at 21.5% and 23.0%, respectively.)
States with the biggest increases in the share of drivers 70 and older
Rank | State | % of drivers 70 and older, 2013 | % of drivers 70 and older, 2022 | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 10.9% | 19.1% | 75.3% |
| 2 | Alaska | 6.7% | 11.5% | 71.7% |
| 3 | Hawaii | 9.8% | 15.4% | 57.7% |
Source: ValuePenguin analysis of DOT FHWA data.
As mentioned above, Minnesota was the only state that saw a decrease in the share of drivers 70 and older — dropping 1.4% between 2013 and 2022.
D.C. — perhaps unsurprisingly, given its status as the area with the lowest overall share of older drivers — had the lowest rate of increase at 10.0%. (The District of Columbia also enjoys the lowest rate of fatal crashes with an older driver involved at 6.6%.)
North Dakota had the next-lowest rate of increase at 14.5% — perhaps aided, somewhat surprisingly, by an influx of younger residents. Per a StorageCafe analysis, North Dakota ranked ninth among the states Gen Zers are migrating to. Utilizing Census data, the company reports that 9,200 Gen Zers moved to North Dakota in 2022.
Full rankings: States with the biggest increases/decreases in the share of drivers 70 and older
Rank | State | % of drivers 70 and older, 2013 | % of drivers 70 and older, 2022 | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 10.9% | 19.1% | 75.3% |
| 2 | Alaska | 6.7% | 11.5% | 71.7% |
| 3 | Hawaii | 9.8% | 15.4% | 57.7% |
| 4 | New Mexico | 10.1% | 15.3% | 51.1% |
| 5 | Vermont | 12.7% | 18.9% | 48.9% |
| 6 | Washington | 9.5% | 14.1% | 48.6% |
| 7 | Mississippi | 11.5% | 16.7% | 45.6% |
| 8 | Colorado | 9.5% | 13.8% | 45.5% |
| 9 | Oregon | 12.3% | 17.6% | 42.8% |
| 10 | Georgia | 9.5% | 13.6% | 42.7% |
| 11 | Arizona | 10.5% | 15.0% | 42.4% |
| 12 | Louisiana | 11.8% | 16.6% | 41.2% |
Source: ValuePenguin analysis of DOT FHWA data.
Insurance for older drivers: Top expert tips
"Many older adults can, and do, drive safely well into their 80s, or even beyond," Sangameshwar says. But it’s not just road safety that older adults have to worry about. With many on a fixed income, high auto insurance premiums can beleaguer a budget. Here are some expert tips for finding affordable coverage.
- Shop around. It’s true that calling another insurer and asking for a quote could save you significant money on your auto insurance policy. Fortunately, these days it’s easy to compare auto insurance quotes online quickly and easily.
- Take advantage of discounts. Many insurance companies offer auto insurance and other useful coverage like homeowners or renters insurance, and you may score a discount by bundling multiple policies. Some insurers allow you to pay for six months or a year of coverage at once — which is a hefty bill in the short term, but it may lend your monthly budget some wiggle room. In any case, don’t leave available discounts on the table.
- Stay vigilant on the road. As drivers age, "common-sense driving safety remains crucial," Sangameshwar says. "This includes wearing a seat belt, no speeding, tailgating or getting distracted by a cellphone, food, drinks or the radio." Additionally, if older drivers have weakened vision, they should consider driving only during daylight hours. The fewer accidents you get into, the lower your premiums will be — which, of course, is not the primary motivator for avoiding crashes.
- Take a refresher course. "Many states have mandated mature driver discounts for drivers who complete a state-approved driving course designed to refresh their driving skills," Sangameshwar says. "Organizations like the AARP, AAA and the National Safety Council also provide these courses, and completion can lead to a multiyear discount on auto insurance premiums."
- Keep your ride in tip-top shape. Older drivers can also benefit from updating their vehicles with the latest and greatest safety equipment, Sangameshwar suggests, like air bags, antilock brakes, anti-theft systems and anti-collision technology. "Not only will this make their driving experience safer, it will also lead to lower insurance premiums."
Methodology
ValuePenguin researchers analyzed U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) data on licensed drivers.
Researchers estimated the percentage of 70-and-older drivers in each state in 2013 and 2022. Analysts also calculated the 10-year change from 2013 to 2022.
Additionally, researchers analyzed National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data to find the proportion of fatal accidents involving drivers 65 and older from 2013 to 2022.