Gender differences among older drivers in a comprehensive driving evaluation

Research studies typically consider older drivers as a homogenous group and do not report on the influence of gender on driving performance. Prior studies report that females are over-represented in crashes compared to males, caused by errors of yielding, gap acceptance, and speed regulation, all of which are assessed in a comprehensive driving evaluation (CDE). In a sample of 294 community dwelling older drivers, we examined and compared specific and total driving errors of both genders, and determined predictors of gender-specific driving errors and pass/fail outcomes who completed a CDE assessed by a certified driving rehabilitation specialist. No differences in specific or total number of driving errors on the CDE were found between older males (Mean age 73.4 ± 6.0) and older females (Mean age 73.8 ± 5.7). Education, days of driving, Useful Field of View™ (UFOV), Rapid Paced Walk Test (RPW) and the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) were all independent predictors of failing a road test for both genders (p < 0.05). However, older females were 22% less likely than older males to fail an on-road test. Within group comparisons showed that older males and females >75 years were 3.2 and 3.5 times more likely to fail the on-road test compared to younger males and females (aged between 63 and 75), respectively. The findings suggest that focusing on older old (75+) and old–old (85+) age groups may be more efficient for future investigations of driving performance.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2012.10.010
• Record URL:
  • http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001457512003661
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00014575
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract used with permission of Elsevier.
• Authors:
  • Classen, Sherrilene
  • Wang, Yanning
  • Crizzle, Alexander M
  • 0000-0002-5289-7527
  • Winter, Sandra M
  • Lanford, Desiree N
• Publication Date: 2013-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 146-152
• Serial:
  • Accident Analysis & Prevention
  • Volume: 61
  • Issue Number: 0
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0001-4575
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00014575

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aged drivers; Driver errors; Driver performance; Evaluation; Gender; Highway safety; Traffic crashes
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01502626
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 30 2013 11:05AM