A recent survey has determined the most retirement-friendly road in the UK. The answer given is a countryside route in Scotland – a 66-mile journey which takes in stretches of the A816 and the A828 and which has been described as the UK’s very own ‘Route 66’.
The finding comes from the insurance provider LV, which surveyed 1,085 motorists aged 65 and over. The survey was launched by LV after learning of confidence issues affecting older drivers.
It was found that around three quarters (74 per cent) of drivers aged 65 and over curtail the amount of driving they do once they hit retirement, with more than a fifth (22 per cent) going as far as calling themselves a ‘nervous’ driver.
The respondents cited issues such as overcrowded roads health-related concerns and the worsening of their eyesight as the main reasons they felt less confident about driving.
According to the survey, Scotland was comfortably the over-65s’ favourite driving location in the UK. Among those quizzed, 17 per cent of the retired drivers picked Scotland, with many among this group identifying the West Coast specifically. Wales was second receiving eight per cent of the vote and it was followed by Yorkshire (7 per cent) and the Lake District (4 per cent).
In response to its survey’s findings, LV highlighted the 66-mile road route in Scotland which starts in the town of Lochgilphead in Argyll and Bute and culminates in the Glen Coe Mountains. This route, which mixes dramatic scenery, historic castles and a host of other tourist-friendly attractions, has been nicknamed ‘Route 66’ by the insurer to give it a relaxed vibe.
The managing director of car insurance at LV, Selwyn Fernandes, commented: “Most drivers who have retired have decades of experience behind the wheel, but as our research shows they increasingly start to feel less confident on the road.
“By creating a ‘Route 66’ in the UK, we’re helping these drivers feel more confident by providing a special stretch of road just for them.”
