A new international report has put older motorists back in the spotlight, with fresh calls for stricter driving assessments following a series of serious crashes in Australia.
According to the UK-based Scrap Car Comparison’s latest Driving Age report, older drivers are facing what it calls a “global confidence crisis,” with nearly half of respondents worldwide believing people aged 70 or older should stop driving.
“Older drivers face a global confidence crisis, as nearly half of all respondents believe drivers should stop in their 70s,” the findings said.
Globally, 48 per cent of people say drivers should stop driving in their 70s, while 46 per cent say the same for those in their 80s.
The findings follow similar calls in Australia, after several road incidents involving senior drivers.
Earlier this year, a 91-year-old motorist lost control of their vehicle in Victoria, killing two pedestrians. The tragedy reignited debate over whether Victoria should introduce compulsory testing for older drivers.
If the state proceeds, it would join Queensland, New South Wales and the ACT, which already require annual medical assessments for drivers aged 75 or older.
In Western Australia, medical assessments are required for drivers over 80, while other states allow doctors or licensing authorities to direct older motorists to take tests based on health concerns or age thresholds.
Recent data suggests there is reason for concern, with the latest figures from the Department of Infrastructure and Transport showing drivers aged 75 and over recorded the biggest increase in road deaths between October 2021 and October 2025.
Fatalities in that age group rose 26.4 per cent, from 159 to 201 deaths.
Insurance data tells a similar story, as AAMI’s 2024 Crash Index shows drivers aged 65 and over were involved in 26 per cent of all insurance claims, the highest proportion of any age group.
However, public opinion does not always reflect the statistics.The Scrap Car Comparison poll, which surveyed 200 Australians, a showed 90 per cent of respondents consider Gen Z (25 and under) the riskiest group on the road.
But when comparing national fatality data between October 2024 and October 2025, drivers aged 65 and over were involved in 357 deaths, while those under 25 accounted for 219.
Transport for NSW notes that drivers under 26 make up about 14 per cent of all licence holders, and deaths among 17- to 25-year-olds have been slowly increasing since 2021. Over three years, fatalities in that group have risen from 214 to 246 – a 15 per cent increase.
A Monash University study found P-plate drivers are 33 times more likely to crash than learner drivers, though their risk decreases significantly over the first six to twelve months.
Experts say vehicle age and safety features also play a role, with younger drivers often using older, cheaper cars that lack modern technologies such as Autonomous Emergency Braking and advanced crash-avoidance systems.
These features, more commonly found in vehicles purchased by older generations, have been shown to reduce severe collisions.
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