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

  • French earthmoving market on firm ground, reports CISMA
    February 15, 2019
    The French earthmoving equipment market increased by more than 3% last year - the best year since the market crash of 2008. Heavy earthmoving equipment is up 8.6% to 5,100 machines, according to data compiled by CISMA, a member of France’s Federation of Mechanical Engineering Industries (FIM). However, the increase is much lower for compact equipment, just 2% over in 2018 over 2017. Sales reached 17,250 machines in France, Europe’s third largest market for such equipment. For crawler excavators, th
    Read More
  • Liebherr sets new record for financial results
    April 7, 2020
    Liebherr has set a new record for its financial results in 2019.
    Read More
  • ARTBA concerned over drop in US highway spending
    March 4, 2013
    Despite the 2012 passage of the US federal surface transportation law, known as MAP-21, the real value of highway and bridge contract awards over the last 12 months was down 3% compared the previous 12 month period. This is according to the latest analysis of McGraw-Hill Dodge data by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). Taking into account changes in wages, materials and inflation, state and local governments awarded US$54.3 billion in real highway and bridge contract awards bet
    Read More
  • Tailgating and speeding common safety issue on UK’s roads
    May 19, 2014
    Research carried out in the UK suggests that safety problems such as tailgating and speeding are common on UK motorways. According to the survey carried out jointly by road safety body Brake and insurance firm Direct Line, 57% of UK drivers admit to tailgating while 60% admit breaking the speed limit by 16km/h (10mph) or more. Male drivers are far the worst offenders however.
    Read More

Highlighted Content