Skip to main content

We’ve all heard the complaints about teenage and young drivers. And some of the gripes are more than warranted. However, young, risk-prone drivers aren’t the only demographic with unique challenges. The NHTSA states that elderly drivers are also more likely to make safety and etiquette mistakes on the road, many of which are entirely avoidable. 

Elderly drivers are more likely than other age groups to commit faux pas like driving too slowly and failing to yield

Bad driving isn’t exclusive to one demographic of motorists. No, each demographic category of driver, including motorists of all ages, has poor drivers. However, elderly drivers may make some mistakes behind the wheel that other age ranges perform less frequently. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), elderly drivers are much more likely than other age ranges to make these mistakes. 

  • Driving slower than the flow of traffic
  • Failing to yield 
  • Misjudging gaps in traffic
  • Using medications and then driving
  • Driving at inopportune times

It’s almost a cliche to hear a younger motorist complaining about an elderly driver and their speed. Well, there’s an element of truth to the jokes and jests. Senior motorists are more likely to drive under the speed limit than their younger counterparts. Teenagers, on the other hand, are much more likely to speed and drive recklessly than the rest of the population. 

Some of the most common driving errors among senior drivers are potentially dangerous issues like failing to yield and misjudging gaps. Unfortunately, mistakes like failing to yield go well beyond the annoyances of slow driving. These oversights can easily result in crashes, injuries, or worse.

Moreover, older drivers are more likely to take prescription medications and get behind the wheel. In fact, 90% of elderly drivers use prescription medications, per the NHTSA. While many medications don’t impact a motorist’s ability to drive, some types of prescription meds can cause drowsiness or slowed reaction time.

Finally, many older drivers, including retired people, still choose to drive in the dark. This can be dangerous due to issues like age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Best in Tips, Tricks & Trends
Avatar photo
Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and M-ATVs. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with experience covering everything from sports cars to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations (IRG) from the University of Texas at Austin and has studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC).