Seniors and the Aging Driver Safety and the Aging Driver One-quarter of Canada's population is now over 50. Half of Canadians 65 and older living in a private household drive a motor vehicle. Drivers over 80 are the fastest-growing segment of the driving population. Being able to drive means independence. People who have driven for most of their life want to keep driving as long as possible.
Mature drivers tend to be safety conscious.
Many compensate for their limitations by driving shorter distances and avoiding night driving, busy highways and downtown areas. Most drivers over 65 use their car only a few times a week, mostly short trips for shopping, appointments or social get-togethers. However, at the onset of winter, some drive long distances to warmer climes. Over the years, road fatalities have dropped significantly in all age groups except 65 and over. Based on kilometres driven, older drivers have more collisions than any other age group.