Predictors of Driving Cessation in Older Adults: A 12-year Population-based Study

Changes in physical health and cognition during aging can result in some older adults to stop driving. In this population-based longitudinal study, we describe potential predictors of driving cessation in older adults.

Age-stratified random population cohort of 1982 adults aged 65 years and older drawn from voter registration lists. Participant characteristics were measured using demographics, physical and self-rated health, sleeping habits, driving status, cognitive screening, modified Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale, clinical dementia rating, and mini-mental state examination.

Over 12 years of follow-up, 390 participants stopped driving. These individuals were older, more likely to be women and to have a clinical dementia rating score ≥1, had worse self-reported health, and more symptoms of depression, compared with those who were still driving. In addition, individuals with lower test performance in all cognitive domains, loss of visual acuity and fields, and bilateral hearing loss were more likely to stop driving.

Age, sex, cognitive impairments, physical health, and depressive symptoms were associated with driving cessation in this cohort. By identifying potential driving cessation predictors, health care providers and families may better recognize these risk factors and begin the driving cessation discussion early.