Older drivers in the US hit record numbers

The number of older drivers on the US road network continues to increase. According to the latest data from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the number of drivers on the US road network hit a record- high in 2016 at 221.7 million. Of these, 41.7 million are 65 years or older. This age group is growing faster than any other, and is far outpacing their teenage counterparts.
December 20, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
The number of older drivers on the US road network continues to increase. According to the latest data from the 2410 Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the number of drivers on the US road network hit a record- high in 2016 at 221.7 million. Of these, 41.7 million are 65 years or older. This age group is growing faster than any other, and is far outpacing their teenage counterparts.


The largest single-year percentage increase in licensed drivers that year was among those who are between 75-79 years old, increasing by 4.98% over the previous year. Except for five states – Michigan, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wyoming – the nation saw increases among licensed drivers in 2016 compared to the previous year.

The new data show 57 million drivers between the ages of 20-34, which accounted for nearly one in four US drivers last year, increasing slightly from the 56.1 million reported in 2015.

Teen drivers continued to increase slightly for the third year in a row, rising to 8.8 million – the highest level since 2013, but remaining at among the lowest levels since the federal government began compiling driver license data in 1963.

In 2016, America’s 112.1 million licensed women drivers outnumbered their male counterparts by 2.5 million.

The data collected from all 50 states and Washington, DC, show that licensed drivers aged 85 or older increased by 161,182 people, or 4.62%, since the previous year, making it the nation’s second-fastest growing demographic group in 2016.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Deutz announces strong results with interim management statement
    May 12, 2017
    German engine maker Deutz reports a strong performance with its interim management statement for the first quarter of 2017 today. New orders rose significantly to reach €403.2 million, a 23.2% increase over the same period in the first three months of last year when orders hit €327.3 million. The figures also showed a 23.6% growth over the figures for the previous quarter when new orders reached €326.1 million. The firm sold 37,153 engines, an increase in unit sales of 15.7% over the same period for 2016 wh
    Read More
  • UK construction machinery sales continue to rise, reports the CEA
    May 24, 2017
    UK exports of construction and earthmoving equipment showed further growth in the first quarter this year, the highest level since Q2 2015. Sales topped nearly €812 million, according to the latest report from the UK’s Construction Equipment Association. Continued healthy export sales “can be attributed to both improving demand in some of the major overseas markets, as well as the benefit of the weaker £ exchange rate since the middle of 2016, following the Brexit referendum”, report the noted. In terms of
    Read More
  • Massive funding packages for two crucial US bridge replacement works
    December 20, 2023
    Funding packages will help pay for two major bridge replacement works in the Eastern US and Western US.
    Read More
  • Heavy equipment demand strong in Asia-Pacific according to report
    April 12, 2013
    A report from market analysis specialist Timetric has highlighted increased demand for machines in the Asia-Pacific region. This report shows that the Asia-Pacific region has overtaken Europe and North America in demand for heavy construction machinery and earthmoving equipment. The 57.8% market share of the Asia-Pacific market for these machines makes it the largest in the world, followed by Europe with 22.0% and North America with 12.4%, according to the report. Economic uncertainty in Europe and slow gro
    Read More

Highlighted Content