Driving patterns of older adults: results from the Second Injury Control and Risk Survey

To describe older adults' driving patterns, including self-imposed driving restrictions and motor vehicle crashes (MVCs).

The Second Injury Control and Risk Survey (ICARIS-2) was a national, random-digit-dial telephone survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2001 to 2003. ICARIS-2 sampled 113,476 English- and Spanish-speaking households, using weighting variables to generate national estimates.

The response rate was 48% (N=9,684). Six percent (n=728) of respondents were aged 75 and older. Of these, 85.6% (n=613) were aged 75 to 84, and 14.4% (n=115) were aged 85 and older; 59.2% were female. Three-fourths (74.9%, 95% confidence interval (CI)=70.4-79.4%) of adults aged 75 to 84 and 69.9% (95% CI=48.2-71.6%) aged 85 and older were current drivers. Most (81.9%; 95% CI=77.6-86.2%) older drivers limited their driving, usually in bad weather (59.0%), at night (57.0%), on long trips (49.6%), in traffic (49.0%), or at high speeds (33.6%); only 15.4% limited driving for medical reasons. Women were more likely to self-limit driving (odds ratio (OR)=1.83, 95% CI=0.99-3.39). Few (4.2%, 95% CI=2.4-6.1%) older adults reported MVC involvement in the past year as a driver or passenger. In multivariate analysis, drivers living alone (OR=3.93, 95% CI=1.55-9.95) and men (OR=2.59, 95% CI=1.18-5.67) were more likely to report a recent crash; drivers who self-limited were less likely (OR=0.55, 95% CI=0.18-1.60).

Large majorities of older adults, including those aged 85 and older, are current drivers. Although many limit driving in hazardous conditions, fewer do for medical reasons. Men and older adults who live alone are more likely to report a recent MVC; those who self-limit their driving are less likely to report crash involvement.