Gender Differences in Attitudes to and Mobility Impacts of Driving Cessation

Safe travel is essential; however, recognition of the benefits of continued mobility and, conversely, the consequences of loss of mobility must also be considered. Driving affords the greatest mobility for many older adults. Unfortunately, at some point, most individuals need to consider retiring from driving. Although there are reported gender differences in the timing of and reasons for driving reduction and cessation, with potential impacts on mobility, health, and quality of life for some, much remains unknown about how older drivers perceive the difficulties in transitioning to being a nondriver and whether there are any gender differences in this process. Even less is known about how people decide to stop driving and the strategies that may improve the outcomes of this transition. This study examined gender differences in the mobility impacts of driving cessation and in life satisfaction. A total of 1,718 drivers (40% female) and 108 former drivers (58% female) completed a self-administered survey designed to examine issues surrounding the adoption of self-regulatory driving practices and the mobility impacts of driving reduction and cessation. The study highlights gender differences in the processes of driving reduction and cessation, particularly driving frequency and experiences and plans for driving cessation. While few gender differences were noted among former drivers, particularly in the number of trips and satisfaction with current mobility, older females were more likely than males to have planned ahead, made the decision themselves, and stopped at appropriate times, and to use alternative transport options, suggesting a good adjustment to nondriving with a more favorable mobility outcome. These findings have implications for the development of education and training programs to assist male and female drivers to achieve a smooth transition from driving to nondriving.

• Record URL:
  http://www.trb.org/Publications/Blurbs/165294.aspx
• 
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/Womens_Issues_in_Transportation_Summary_of_the_4th_165294.aspx
• Authors:
  • Oxley, Jennifer
  • Charlton, Judith
• Conference:
  • 4th International Conference on Women's Issues in Transportation
  • Location: Irvine California, United States
  • Date: 2009-10-27 to 2009-10-30
• Publication Date: 2011

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 64-73
• Monograph Title: Women's Issues in Transportation: Summary of the 4th International Conference. Volume 2: Technical Papers
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Board Conference Proceedings
  • Volume: 2
  • Issue Number: 46
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 1073-1652

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aged drivers; Attitudes; Driving cessation; Females; Gender; Males; Mobility; Surveys
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01339649
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9780309160834
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: May 11 2011 2:21PM