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Health & Fitness

Drivers Age 85 and Older: By Percentage, Connecticut Leads USA

Connecticut has more than double the percentage of licensed drivers age 85 and older than any other state in the nation, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. 

In the Land of Steady Habits, 5.1 percent of all drivers – a total of 152,233 people – were age 85 or older, ranking Connecticut at the top of the state-by-state ranking.  The second place state, Maine, had 2.34 percent of its licensed drivers in that demographic.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that 29 states and the District of Columbia have additional license renewal procedures for older drivers, often age 65 or 70 and older.  In Connecticut, people 65 and older may choose a 2-year or 6-year renewal cycle. A personal appearance at renewal generally is required. Upon a showing of hardship, people 65 and older may renew by mail. There are no additional requirements for older drivers, according to the Insurance Institute.

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Bloomberg ranked the U.S. states and the District of Columbia on the percentage of licensed drivers ages 85 and older, using data from the Federal Highway Administration.  (The data was for 2011, the most recent year available.)

The Age 85+ Rankings (percent of licensed drivers)

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  1. Connecticut        5.10%
  2. Maine                   2.34%
  3. Alabama              2.23%
  4. Vermont              2.22%
  5. Minnesota          2.11%
  6. New York            2.09%
  7. Nebraska             2.02%
  8. South Dakota     1.99%
  9. Florida                  1.98%
  10.   Pennsylvania     1.98%

Rhode Island ranked #11, New Jersey was #15, Massachusetts was #17 and New Hampshire was #28 among states in our region. 

There's more to the story at http://ctbythenumbers.info/2013/12/18/drivers-age-85-older-connecticut-leads-usa/



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