New Study Reveals Elderly Drivers Are Actually The Safest

Author Wendy Rush

July 1st 1:56 PM

Some people say elderly drivers can be a hazard. But maybe it's the rest of us who are actually bringing that to our roads.

Alright, it looks like we all have to officially stop complaining about the old lady driving too slow on the freeway. Because a new study just landed her age group at the top of the list of safest drivers on the road. And as much as we’d love to say the youngest drivers are the worst, there’s a new study that disagrees.

Personal injury law specialists John Foy & Associates recently analyzed some data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). They specifically looked at 2022 and the number of drivers involved in crashes by different age groups. Then they ranked drivers (per 1 million population) from each generation that were involved in crashes.

The Safest Drivers Broken Down By Age Group

What the study revealed with this information is which age groups were, collectively, the worst and best drivers on the road. Some of these results actually surprised us.

First off is what we already mentioned. The study revealed that the safest drivers come from what is called the “Silent Generation”. This is anyone born between 1928 and 1945. Or anyone who, as of 2024, is between the ages of approximately 79 and 96. This age group accounted for 13,450 drivers in crashes per 1 million population in 2022. And only 2,681 of those crashes proved to be fatal.

The next-safest age group in the study of safest drivers was the Baby Boomers. Or anyone born between 1946 and 1965 (approximately 59 to 78 years old, as of 2024). This age group accounted for 22,509 drivers in crashes per 1 million population in 2022. With 11,207 if those crashes being fatal.

There’s an obvious pattern so far in the study of safest drivers by age group. And the pattern isn’t broken yet with the third-safest. Which, according to the study by John Foy & Associates, is Generation X. That is anyone born between 1966 and 1980. Or anyone who is, as of 2024, approximately 44 to 58 years of age. This age group tallied up 36,799 drivers in crashes per 1 million population. With 13,953 of those proving to be fatal.

Here’s where the pattern breaks. The fourth safest drivers on the road by age group is Generation Z, according to the study. A Gen Z’er is anyone born between 1997 and 2012, who would be approximately 12 to 27 years old as of 2024. Though, let’s hope those under 16 aren’t actually driving out there. This age group came right behind Gen X. They accounted for 38,221 drivers in crashes per 1 million population. With 11,490 of those crashes being fatal.

The Least Safest Drivers On The Road In 2024

According to this study, the prize for the least safest drivers on the road goes to Millennials. These are our 28 to 43 year-olds (depending on month of birth) who were born between 1981 and 1996. And this wasn’t a close race. According to this study, these guys had a shocking 50,291 drivers in crashes per 1 million population. With 18,816 fatalities in those crashes.

The moral of the story? Maybe a little more patience is due to our older drivers who might be driving a little too slowly for our taste. They’re actually helping keep us safer on those roads.

Want more from this author? Check out her home page.

Wendy Rush is the midday host on one of Vegas's top stations, 96.3 KKLZ. She has been with the station for ten years and comes with a diverse career background. In addition to being a radio host, Wendy has lived the Vegas life as an entertainer. She has been a celebrity impersonator, rock band singer, and improv comedian. As a content creator for 96.3 KKLZ, Wendy writes about music, celebrities, mental health and wellness, and life as a Las Vegas local.

Naming Your Car Means You Love It: 10 Popular And Fun Car Names

The “Electric Blue Bomb.” That was what I named my first car.

Naming Your Car Is Very Personal And Also Very Fun

The Electric Blue Bomb. It was a used 1972 electric blue Mustang 2 Hatchback, with manual transmission. No AC, but it did have an 8-track player. I had to keep a matchbook in it for it to work, of course, but it was great. Very high tech!

I taught dozens of people how to drive a “stick” in my Electric Blue Bomb. To this day those old high school pals remind of this whenever we get together. It’s a fun memory that I will truly cherish forever. And yes – I can still drive a manual transmission, and still teach anyone.

I would also pile people in the hatchback to go to lunch, the drive-in – a party at Julie’s house – wherever we needed to be.

What To Consider When Picking Out A Name For Your Car

Does your car not have a name? Why? It’s apparently a sign of love. A poll literally found that people who love their car are more likely to name it

49% of people who have a car they love have given it a name. That’s compared to 20% of people who just kind of “like” their car, and 14% who really don’t like their car.

The poll found the #1 thing we consider when naming our car is its “personality.” Make and model is next, followed by how it performs.

1. Personality: What is the feel of your car, and the essence of that ride.

2. Make and model: Someone named their Kia Forte “Will”- after Will Forte.

3. How it performs. Is it fast? Perhaps Zippy,” or “Bolt,” or “Jet.”

Need some ideas on what to name your car? Men and women have different favorites, but there’s definitely a name for every car- just like kids.

Here are some of the most popular, and fun car names for 2024. Although, all of them could probably also work for baby names.

1. Shadow
If you have a black, or charcoal car, this seems to be a popular name.
2. Snowball
Yes, the complete opposite of “Shadow.” I have a white car. I love “Snowball,” but I went with “Betty White.”
3. Ruby
Do you have a red car? “Ruby” is a perfect name. I had a friend back in college who named her red car “rhubarb.” Cute and catchy for a little red VW bug.
4. Betsy
Still driving that old, reliable station wagon from back in the day? Or maybe that Land Cruiser is still getting you around town. “Betsy” is a great name for that old, reliable vehicle. Rusty and Trusty also work.
5. Gizmo
Is your car filled with high tech? Self-driving? Self-parking? Then “Gizmo” might be the name for your car. Although I think I would go with “Jetson” or “Rosie.” Cartoon kids get it.
6. Tank
“TANK!” The name pretty much says it all. Durable, indestructible, and can withstand a whole lot.
7. Sir Honksalot
Just a fun name. And if your car is a fun car, you have to go with a fun name.
8. Speedy McSpeedface
This one might be taken wrong. however, it’s another fun name for a fun car.
9. Gassy Gus
Do you have a gas guzzler – or an SUV? Then this might be the car name for you! If so, I’m sorry…
10, Aurora
The Roman goddess of dawn. A beautiful name for a car that’s a joy to get into, and drive, each and everyday! Or – just “Joy.”