Driverless car could get 1m back on road

♦ Driverless cars will allow one million older motorists to get back behind the wheel, an insurance company has said.

According to Direct Line, around 1.2million over-75s in the UK, or one in five, who do not currently drive, would be able to do so using a driverless car, the first of which are expected to hit UK roads next year.

Since 2012 there has been a 64per cent rise in the number of older adults losing their licence on medical grounds.

Nick Reid, head of automotive technology at Direct Line, said: “They [self-driving cars] have the potential to have a positive impact on the lives of older generations who wish to retain their independence.”