The poll was done in February 2025 by NORC at the University of Chicago for the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation. It included 2,883 people aged 50 to 97. A Michigan analysis used 1,353 people aged 50 to 95.
The results show that 84% of people 65 and older drive at least once a week and 62% drive most days. Only 10% had not driven in the past six months. Many drivers are confident now: 81% said they are very confident they can drive safely today.
Despite this, 54% of drivers 65 and over do not have a plan for when health changes make driving unsafe. Women and people over 75 were more likely to have a plan than men and those 65 to 74.
Difficult words
- poll — a study that asks people questions
- analysis — a study of data or information
- confident — sure that you can do somethingvery confident
- despite — used to say something happens anyway
- plan — a decision about future actions
- unsafe — not safe causing possible harm
- likely — probably true or expected to happen
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you know anyone aged 65 or older who drives most days? Why or why not?
- Why do you think many older people feel confident about driving?
- What could be a simple plan for someone who cannot drive because of health changes?
Related articles
Yale reveals molecular structure of cholera flagella
Yale researchers imaged the molecular structure of Vibrio cholerae flagella in living bacteria. The study shows how flagella proteins sit inside a hydrophilic sheath and suggests the sheath helps the bacterium move and infect cells.
Highly processed foods are almost always in binge eating
A review of research finds that highly processed foods appear in most binge-eating episodes, while minimally processed foods are rare. The authors say this pattern could change prevention and treatment and appears in a specialist journal.