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Tactile Vibrating Toolkit and Driving Simulation Platform for Driving-Related Research
Published on: December 18, 2020
Changes in self-regulatory driving among older drivers over time
Keli A Braitman1, Allan F Williams
1Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Arlington, Virginia 22201, USA. research@iihs.org
Traffic Injury Prevention
|December 3, 2011
Summary
Older adults adjust driving habits due to life events like retirement or widowhood. Some compensate for impairments by avoiding certain driving situations, though changes were modest over three years.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Transportation Safety
- Human Factors
Background:
- Aging population necessitates understanding driving behaviors.
- Self-regulation in driving is crucial for older adults' independence and safety.
- Factors influencing driving modifications in seniors require investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine how older adults modify driving behaviors.
- To identify influences behind these driving modifications.
- To examine changes in self-regulatory driving over time in relation to impairments and lifestyle.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 2650 participants aged 65+ interviewed annually for four years.
- Data collected on driving patterns, functional abilities, medical conditions, and lifestyle events.
- Regression analyses used to correlate changes in impairments/life events with changes in driving mileage and avoided situations.
Main Results:
- Participants driving fewer miles were associated with retirement, job loss, or relocation to assisted living.
- Widowhood or divorce correlated with an increase in weekly driving miles.
- Worsening memory and mobility led to increased avoidance of specific driving situations.
Conclusions:
- Lifestyle changes significantly impact older adults' driving mileage.
- Older drivers demonstrate self-regulation by avoiding situations when experiencing cognitive or physical declines.
- Observed changes in driving behavior were not substantial, potentially due to participant attrition.
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