Road safety becomes an increasing concern, which only becomes more worrying as we age.
A new study looks at the best countries for older drivers and Canada ranked in the Top 10.
TheOldest Driver Hotspots reportfrom insurance expertiSelectanalyzed 25 countries, focusing on a balance of road safety, mobility and independence for seniors.
Each country received a score out of 100 based on the the percentage of drivers aged 65 and older, the involvement of older drivers in fatal crashes, public transport investment per capita, and national driver’s licence renewal policies.
Canada, one of the few non-European countries on the list, came in seventh with a score of 55.94 out of 100.
The report notes that the number of older drivers is steadily increasing in Canada, as 19.8% of people are aged 65 and over.
The data found that 21.8% of fatal crashes involved senior drivers, while public transport spends an average of $310 per person.
It found that a mix of testing procedures, where licence renewals are required for senior drivers, and accessible public transport creates balance to facilitate the aging population.
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The No. 1 safest country for aging drivers is Greece with a total score of 72.96, with Norway a close second scoring 72.89.
Australia came in third with 64.42, Finland took the fourth spot with 62.22, and Italy came in at No. 5 with a score of 60.47.
Spain just beat out Canada, thanks to its score of 56.91, while Denmark, Czechia and Switzerland round out the Top 10.
Every country in the Top 10 mandates licence renewal for older drivers, which reflects a shared policy approach to managing the risks associated with aging motorists, the report found.
“This index makes one thing clear: as aging populations grow, the presence of senior drivers on the roads will only increase,” Adrian Bennett, general manager of general insurance at iSelect, said in a statement.
“The results highlight that countries investing in infrastructure, regular licence checks and public transport alternatives are better placed to support senior driver safety,” he continued.
“Ultimately, our research shows that supporting older drivers isn’t only about protecting individuals; it’s about building road systems and insurance frameworks that adapt to demographic change, keeping driving accessible, safe and sustainable for the future.”
