Millions of elderly drivers could be at risk as some car parks turn their backs on cash in favour of new digital services.
Older drivers may struggle with cashless parking (Image: Getty)
Older drivers could be forced away from using public car parks, with millions of road users unsure how to embrace major new updates. The Government is urging councils in England to adopt the National Parking Platform (NPP) app, a new digital service that uses a single smartphone app to pay for parking in multiple locations.
It’s part of an inevitable move towards digital services and cashless parking across UK sites, but older drivers could be impacted by the major change, with millions still not having access. Experts at Start Rescue warn that digital parking risks alienating many older drivers who will not use the app and instead will be compelled to park further away in more dangerous locations.
Campaigners have suggested alternative payment options were crucial (Image: Getty)
Lee Puffett, managing director of Start Rescue, stressed that many elderly road users still prefer to pay with cash.
He said: “This is a fundamentally sound idea. But it has to recognise that many drivers, and particularly older drivers, prefer to pay with cash, bank card or their phone using the likes of Apple Pay. Weak phone signal, bad lighting, and poor parking signage all contribute to making parking payments trickier for older drivers.”
Data from Ofcom reveals that only 68% of those aged 65 or over use a smartphone to access the internet. DVLA data suggests there were more than 9.2 million drivers on our roads in the same age group.
Start Rescue has concluded it could mean there are as many as 2.9 million older drivers without access to parking apps. A previous survey conducted by the AA discovered that two in five elderly drivers prefer to use cash to pay for parking.
The poll of more than 13,500 drivers found that 46% of road users above the age of 65 would rather use cash over digital payments. However, more and more car parks are only offering contractless payments, with the option for cash slowly diminishing.
Rob Heard, chair of the Older Drivers Forum, stressed that it was crucial local authorities continued to allow road users to pay with cash when stopping their vehicles.
He said: “While we recognise the convenience and growing popularity of parking apps, it’s vital that councils and operators continue to provide alternative payment options.
“Not all drivers—particularly older motorists—use smartphones or feel comfortable relying solely on digital services. A fully inclusive approach ensures that everyone can park safely and conveniently, without being disadvantaged or forced to seek less suitable alternatives.”