93-Year-Old Grandad & Nissan’s Self-Driving Car – NO HANDS!

Brad Ashton has been driving since 1947, back when cars needed a good crank to get going and seat belts were as optional as a sense of direction. But this week, the 93-year-old comedy scriptwriter (who once penned jokes for Groucho Marx, no less) found himself behind the wheel of the future—without actually having to steer.

Nissan invited Brad to test out its latest autonomous driving technology on winding country roads near its Technical Centre in Cranfield. LOOK MUM, NO HANDS! Instead of clutching the wheel with white-knuckled terror, Brad sat back, relaxed, and let the car do the work. “I thought I’d be frightened, but I wasn’t—I felt safe,” he said. “Though if these things can find a parking spot for you, now that would be impressive.”

Brad, who drives a Nissan Micra to run errands and care for his wife, Valerie, knows how vital independence is. Like many older drivers, he relies on his car to stay mobile—especially since public transport can be patchy at best. A Nissan survey found that nearly two-thirds (64%) of over-70s worry about losing their independence when they stop driving, and 63% don’t want to rely on others for everyday transport. In rural areas, 36% of respondents admitted that not being able to drive makes them feel socially isolated.

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ABOVE: Nissan_Self_Drive _Test-Brad-Ashton

That’s where self-driving tech could change the game. Nissan’s evolvAD research project has racked up over 16,000 miles of autonomous driving across UK roads, proving that these robo-cars can handle everything from motorways to the narrowest country lanes—without a single accident. These futuristic chauffeurs could one day mean freedom for those who’ve lost confidence behind the wheel or never had the chance to learn in the first place.

Sure, there’s some scepticism—67% of survey respondents admitted they’d be nervous about riding in a driverless car. But curiosity is growing, with 24% intrigued and 12% outright amazed by the concept. Meanwhile, 21% of older people said they prefer face-to-face communication with family and friends, reinforcing the importance of mobility in staying socially connected. And let’s face it—if it means no more arguing over dodgy directions or squeezing into a parallel park, what’s not to love?

With Nissan’s Cranfield team continuing to refine the tech, the dream of hassle-free, independent travel for all might be closer than we think. And as Brad so perfectly put it, “It’s important to embrace new technology. After all, we’ve come a long way from cranking engines to life—thank goodness for that.”

 

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Written by Alan Zurvas

Alan Zurvas is the founder and editor of Gay Car Boys, Australia's leading LGBTQI+ automotive publication. Before launching GCB in 2008, Alan's automotive writing was published in SameSame.com.au and the Star Observer. With over 16 years of hands-on car reviewing experience, Alan brings an honest, irreverent voice to every review — championing value and innovation over brand loyalty.

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