Older motorists could keep hold of their driving licence and stay on the roads for longer by fitting one tool in their vehicle, a study has found. Installing a satellite navigation GPS device could help “keep” older drivers on UK roads for longer, allowing individuals to “maintain their driving independence” for longer.

A new study from the University of East Anglia shows that people over 65 with GPS sat-nav systems installed “tend to drive more frequently.” This means those without the system won’t get behind the wheel as often, effectively forcing themselves off the road. Many modern vehicles already have built-in navigation tools on their infotainment systems.

Drivers stay behind the wheel for longer with a sat nav installed (Image: Getty)

However, those with the keys to a slightly older vehicle could pick up a decent sat nav device for just £100.

Professor Hornberger, spokesperson for UEA’s Norwich Medical School, stressed the GPS systems would help older road users with their sense of direction.

He said: “We found that a considerable majority of older drivers use navigation assistance at least for some journeys, and commonly for the entire journey to a new destination.

“Older people with a poorer sense of direction rely more on Sat Navs.

“But the really important thing we found is that those who use GPS tend to drive more frequently than those who do not, suggesting that these tools help mitigate against spatial orientation difficulties and help maintain driving mobility.

“This means that if we support older drivers with using GPS navigation, it could really help maintain their driving independence, keeping them on the roads safely for longer,”

As part of the study, experts studied 895 UK drivers aged over 65, with the average age of participants found to be 71.

The participants self-reported how often and far they tend to drive, how their sense of direction was and how they tend to use GPS tools while behind the wheel.

Not only do modern sat navs walk through directions, many are also on hand to provide speed alerts and traffic updates.

It means elderly individuals can focus on their driving without having to worry about anything else,

Professor Hornberger added: “Driving is usually the preferred mode of transport among older adults, and it can be vital for maintaining independence, quality of life, wellbeing, and cognitive health as we age.

“But age-related cognitive decline means that people might experience worsening spatial abilities, leading them to drive less and less.”