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Published on: September 18, 2012
Do older drivers with visual and cognitive impairments drive less?
1Highway Safety Research Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599-3430, USA.
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
|July 22, 1998
Summary
Older drivers with declining cognitive and visual function tend to drive less and avoid risky situations. This study suggests a link between functional impairments and reduced driving exposure in seniors.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Public Health
- Transportation Safety
Background:
- Cognitive and visual impairments are common in older adults.
- These impairments can affect driving ability and increase crash risk.
- Understanding how these deficits impact driving behavior is crucial for safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between cognitive/visual function and driving exposure in older adults.
- To determine if drivers with poorer function drive fewer miles or avoid high-risk situations.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 3,238 drivers aged 65+.
- Cognitive and visual function assessed using standardized tests.
- Driving habits (miles driven, avoidance of risky conditions) surveyed.
Main Results:
- Poorer cognitive and visual function were associated with reduced driving exposure (fewer miles, more avoidance).
- Cognitive function had a stronger association with reduced driving than visual function.
- Men with the lowest cognitive scores were 6-7 times more likely to drive <3000 miles/year.
Conclusions:
- Older drivers with cognitive and visual impairments often reduce their driving exposure.
- Healthcare professionals should assess driving fitness and counsel patients.
- Findings are reassuring but do not guarantee appropriate self-limitation of driving.
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