"But older drivers are a greater presence on the road, and we need to prepare for it better."

The fastest growing group of older drivers are those over 85 years, according to Federal data.

In both years, older drivers were arrested less often than younger ones.

"Now I might be the oldest driver out here," he said.

It won't happen, of course, because politicians know that many older drivers are also voters.

In general, insurance companies do not increase rates for older drivers until they reach their middle or late 70's.

This is the first of two columns on older drivers.

In between, tests can be given to older drivers on request from family or doctors.

More often that not, the older driver is at fault.

"There are a lot of good older drivers on the road," he said.