Older Drivers Seek Driverless Tech to Stay on the Road

Burney Simpson

Want to sell your driverless tech? Make it attractive to the ol … er, mature guys. And to do that you’ve got to appeal to safety concerns and the older driver’s desire to stay on the road as they age.

Keep in mind the average age of a new car buyer was 52 in 2014, USA Today reported.

A new survey from insurer The Hartford and the MIT AgeLab found that 76 percent of drivers age 50+ who plan to buy a new car in the next two years will look for advanced safety features.

Nearly 90 percent want a blind spot warning system, and 85 percent want a crash mitigation system.

About 80 percent sought lane departure warning systems, while 78 percent want smart headlights designed to improve night driving.

Older consumers are aware of the safety features of driverless technology, and many would consider investing in it in their next car purchase.

For example, 56 percent would buy the driverless tech if it was proven to be as safe as their own driving. And nearly 50 percent would like to use the technology if their health prevented them from driving.

In other results, 35 percent of drivers age 50+ would use a driverless car if they could no longer drive safely.

On the downside, 42 percent are unsure of the technology, and 24 percent would not be willing to use a driverless car.

KEEPING THEM ON THE ROAD

Many older drivers avoid driving at times or on certain roads if they don’t feel safe. Technology that addresses these concerns would keep many on the road longer.

For instance, 50 percent of those who currently limit their driving said they would be more willing to drive on the highway if they had crash mitigation systems.

And 41 percent would be more willing to drive long distances if they had adaptive cruise control.

The Hartford teamed with AARP Driver Safety to jointly develop a vehicle technology education program designed for older drivers.

Program goals including helping older drivers understand evolving vehicle safety technologies and how to use them; recognize how the new tech could enhance driver safety and extend driving years; and find those safety oriented technologies that fit their driving style.

Photo: Baby you can drive my car, 2011, by laurs.