What Drivers Need to Know
- Local roads carry the most risk: Over 81% of Virginia traffic crashes happen on non-interstate roads close to home.
- Experience is a major asset: Older adults are more likely to wear seat belts and avoid impaired driving than younger drivers.
- Fragility increases injury risk: Higher fatality rates for drivers 70 and older stem from physical vulnerability in a crash, not reckless driving.
- Space and yielding are critical: Following too closely and failing to yield are the top two driver actions contributing to Virginia crashes.
- Seat belts save lives: Hundreds of Virginia traffic fatalities each year involve unbuckled occupants.
Introduction
Staying confident behind the wheel means understanding what is actually happening on the road. Every year, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) publishes the Virginia Traffic Crash Facts report, analyzing collisions across the commonwealth to see where, when, and why crashes happen.
According to the 2024 Virginia Traffic Crash Facts report, there were 129,244 total traffic crashes across the state, resulting in 64,086 injuries and 918 fatalities among Virginia’s nearly 6 million licensed drivers. Looking closely at how mature drivers fit into this picture reveals both encouraging news about the value of decades of driving experience and clear, practical ways to lower your everyday risk.
Why Experience Behind the Wheel Still Matters
Headlines about older drivers often focus solely on age-related changes, leaving out a major statistical reality: decades of driving experience lead to safer habits. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), older adults are more likely to practice safe driving behaviors than other age groups.
- Self-regulating in tough conditions: Research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the CDC shows that many older drivers proactively limit their exposure to risk by driving fewer miles, avoiding peak rush-hour congestion, and choosing to drive primarily during daylight and in clear weather.
- Lower rates of high-risk behavior: Older drivers consistently wear seat belts at higher rates and are far less likely to drink and drive or speed than younger cohorts. In Virginia’s 2024 crash data, for example, only 100 drivers over age 70 who were involved in crashes had been drinking, compared to thousands of younger drivers statewide.
- Long-term safety gains: Nationally, while the population of adults ages 70 and older has grown substantially, the per-capita crash fatality rate for this age group has dropped 47% since 1975.
Where the Real Risks Lie in Virginia
Understanding what causes collisions in Virginia can help you focus your attention where it matters most.
- Following too closely (11.3%): Tailgating was the number one driver action in 2024 Virginia crashes (26,548 drivers).
- Failure to yield (7.7%): Failing to yield the right-of-way was the second leading driver error (18,032 drivers).
- Local roads (81.1%): In 2024, 104,783 crashes happened on non-interstate streets versus 24,461 on interstates.
- Unbuckled occupants: Of Virginia’s 918 traffic deaths in 2024, 322 involved unrestrained occupants.
The Vulnerability Factor
Virginia offers several programs designed to help older drivers stay safe, comfortable, and independent on the road:
- Keeping the Drive at 75: Under Virginia law, drivers age 75 and older must renew their driver’s license in person at a DMV customer service center every five years and complete a vision screening (requiring 20/40 vision or better, with or without corrective lenses) or submit a vision report from an eye doctor issued within 90 days.
- Mature Operator Safety Courses: The Virginia DMV approves classroom and online mature driver safety courses—including programs from AAA and AARP—that help refresh defensive driving skills and cover new traffic laws. Policyholders age 55 and older who voluntarily complete an approved course may also qualify for an auto insurance premium discount.
- Virginia GrandDriver & CarFit: Through Virginia GrandDriver, drivers and families can access free driving wellness resources, self-assessments, and local CarFit events, where trained technicians help you adjust your seat, mirrors, and steering wheel for maximum visibility and airbag safety.
FAQ
Are older drivers the main cause of traffic crashes in the United States? No. According to the CDC, older drivers generally exhibit safer driving habits than younger age groups, including higher seat belt use and lower rates of speeding and alcohol impairment. When older drivers are seriously hurt in crashes, it is primarily due to increased physical vulnerability to injury rather than reckless driving.
What is the number one driver error that causes crashes in Virginia? According to the 2024 Virginia Traffic Crash Facts report, following too closely is the top contributing driver action (11.3%), followed by failing to yield the right-of-way (7.7%) and improper lane changes (4.5%).
Do more crashes in Virginia happen on interstates or local roads? Local and secondary roads see far more collisions. In 2024, 81.1% of all Virginia traffic crashes (104,783 collisions) and 84.9% of all traffic fatalities occurred on non-interstate roadways.
What are Virginia’s license renewal requirements once I turn 75? Virginia drivers age 75 and older must appear in person at a DMV customer service center every five years to renew their license and pass a vision screening (20/40 or better, with or without glasses), or present a vision examination report from an optometrist or ophthalmologist signed within 90 days of renewal.
Can taking a mature driver safety course lower my car insurance in Virginia? Yes, potentially. Virginia insurance companies may offer premium discounts to policyholders age 55 and older who voluntarily complete a DMV-approved mature driver accident prevention course, though you cannot earn safe driving points at the same time. Check with your insurance agent to confirm your eligibility.
Where can I find tools to check my driving comfort and habits? Virginia GrandDriver offers free online self-assessment quizzes, driving wellness guides, and information on CarFit events to help older Virginians stay safe and independent behind the wheel.