THERE are more drivers aged 70 and over in the Llandrindod Wells postcode area than anywhere else in Britain, new figures show.

There are 41,398 drivers in total in the area, which also includes Brecon, Builth Wells, Rhayader and Knighton and 7,684 of them are at least 70-years-old which is 18.56% of local drivers.

That makes the Llandrindod postcode area the number one area for older motorists closely followed by Dorchester, where 18.42% are 70 or older.

The figures were obtained by car leasing company Hippo Leasing from the DVLA.

According to the DVLA, there are almost 5.4 million people over the age of 70 who hold a valid driving licence in Britain, 1.45 million over 80, 113,492 over 90 and 319 drivers are aged at least 100.

The firm analysed 121 postcode areas.

The BN Brighton postcode district, LL Llandudno and KT Kingston-upon-Thames have the most drivers aged 100 or older, each with over 10 while 25 postcode areas in Britain have none at all.

Hippo Leasing says public perceptions about older drivers are typically negative, not helped by the Duke of Edinburgh’s well-publicised car crash in January.

In fact, in a recent survey, 49% of UK drivers said they thought older drivers should be banned from the roads completely.

However, statistics show young drivers aged 17-24 are four times more likely to be involved in a road traffic accident than the over-70s.

While there’s currently no age limit, by law you must renew your driving licence when you turn 70 and every three years thereafter by filling out a free self-assessment from. You won’t be asked to take a practical driving test.

On this form you must also notify the DVLA if you have any medical conditions which could affect your driving and be able to read a number plate from 20m away. Otherwise you risk driving illegally, receiving a £1000 fine and invalidating your insurance.

Tom Preston, managing director, Hippo Leasing, said of the findings: “As the UK’s population ages, it’s inevitable that we’ll see more older motorists. While many people think this will impact road safety, it’s important to remember that age is just a number when it comes to a person’s ability to drive.

“So long as motorists are medically fit to drive and their vehicle is road-legal, it doesn’t matter if they’re 20 or 120.”