There are two universal truths about driving.
Everyone thinks they’re good at it, and everyone thinks everybody else is terrible at it.
But there’s one age group that’s now under the spotlight.
According to the UK-based Scrap Car Comparison’s latest Driving Age report, older drivers are facing a “global confidence crisis,” with almost half of respondents worldwide believing that people aged 70 or older should stop driving.
Globally, 48 per cent of people say drivers should hang up their keys in their 70s, while 46 per cent say 80s.
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It’s a staggering statistic that follows similar calls in Australia.
The report follows a string of serious crashes that have reignited calls for stricter rules and mandatory testing for older drivers nationwide.
Earlier this year, a 91-year-old motorist lost control of their vehicle in Victoria, killing two pedestrians. The tragedy triggered renewed debate over whether Victoria should introduce compulsory assessments for senior drivers.
The state would follow Queensland, New South Wales, and the ACT, all of which require drivers aged 75 or older to undergo annual medical assessments to keep their licence.
In Western Australia, medical assessments are required for drivers over 80, and in other states, older motorists can be directed to take driving tests at a doctor’s request or upon reaching a certain age threshold.
And there’s a good reason for it.
The latest figures from the Department of Infrastructure and Transport show drivers aged 75 and over recorded the biggest increase in road deaths between October 2021 and October 2025, with a 26.4 per cent jump from 159 to 201 fatalities.
And AAMI’s 2024 Crash Index reveals drivers aged 65 and over were involved in 26 per cent of all insurance claims, marking the highest of any age group.
However, a previous news.com.au poll on whether drivers over 65 or those under 25 were more dangerous on our roads pointed to an overwhelming majority.
A massive 80 per cent of 2715 voters believe younger drivers are the most dangerous on our roads.
Additionally, Scrap Car Comparison’s poll, which surveyed 200 Aussies, showed 90 per cent say Gen Z (25 and under) is the riskiest group on our roads.
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But when looking at the data between October 2024 and October 2025, road deaths for ages 65+ represented 357 fatalities compared to 219 fatalities for those under 25.
According to Transport for NSW, drivers under 26 make up about 14 per cent of licence holders, and since 2021, road deaths for those aged 17 to 25 have slowly increased.
Between October 2021 and October 2024, the number of road deaths among the youths has risen from 214 to a peak of 246 – representing a 15 per cent increase in fatalities over the three years.
According to a study conducted by Monash University, P-plate drivers are 33 times more likely to crash than learner drivers; however, the risk of a P-plater crashing decreases over the first 6 to 12 months.
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But poor driving behaviour might not be the sole cause for this escalating trend.
Younger drivers typically drive older, cheaper vehicles that lack modern safety features such as Autonomous Emergency Braking and advanced crash-avoidance systems.
These systems, often found in vehicles typically affordable to the older generations, have proven effective at preventing life-threatening collisions.
