As many as 44 per cent of motorists aged 70-plus say they would feel like they had lost part of their identity if they were not able to drive, a survey revealed.
And 57 per cent worry about losing touch with friends and family, according to a poll by older people’s charity Independent Age.
The effects of not being able to drive become clearer when comparing older people in rural areas with those living in the towns.
Those living in the countryside say they would feel lonelier or more isolated if they were no longer able to drive – 54 per cent compared with 40 per cent living in towns and cities. Overall nine in 10 think it would mean a loss of independence, according to the survey of 2,003 drivers aged 70 and over.
The top three things that older drivers use their cars for are shopping (96 per cent), visiting family and friends (90 per cent) and keeping health appointments (72 per cent).
And 27 per cent of older drivers use their cars for driving friends or family to hospitals or helping with shopping, and 22 per cent drive grandchildren to and from school or after-class activities.
Almost three quarters of pensioners would be reluctant to ask friends or family for lifts if they were no longer able to drive themselves and one in 20 has no friends or family to ask for a lift.
Nine out of 10 enjoy the freedom having a car brings. There are five million people over 70 who hold driving licences and more than 100,000 are over 90.
When a driver reaches 70 he or she is required to renew their licence every three years.
Kevin Clinton, of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), said: “There are lots of things we can do to continue driving safely for as long as possible, such as taking regular driving assessments, planning when and where we drive to avoid situations we find difficult, taking advice from GPs, family and friends, or adapting the car.”
Independent Age has published a free guide, Behind the Wheel, to help older drivers.