OLDER DRIVERS' PERCEPTIONS OF PROBLEMS IN FREEWAY USE

Using a focus group technique of meeting with older drivers to discuss their concerns about driving on freeways, it was found that older drivers use freeways just about as frequently as younger drivers. It was also found that as they grow older, drivers tend to be more selective as to when they use the freeway in order to avoid peak congeston periods and night driving. Concerning what problems older drivers experience with regard to freeways, it was determined that the following head the list: fear of big trucks, speeding drivers, short merge lanes, weaving merge lanes, and discourteous drivers. Another major concern of older drivers was found to be personal security--the fear of breaking down on a freeway, missing an exit and not being able to get back, and the lack of roadside security items such as paved shoulders on which to pull off the road and emergency call-boxes. Older drivers stressed that with freeway driving they face a "use it or lose it" situation, meaning that they had to continue to use freeways on a regular basis in order to retain their driving ability and confidence.

• Corporate Authors:

  Comsis Corporation

  8737 Colesville Road
  Silver Spring, MD  United States  20910

  AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

  607 14th Street, NW, Suite 201
  Washington, DC    20005
• Authors:
  • Lerner, N D
  • MORRISON, M L
  • Ratte, D J
• Publication Date: 1990-3

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 59 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aged drivers; Freeways; Problem identification; Safety and security; Transportation safety; Travel
• Uncontrolled Terms: Complaints
• Old TRIS Terms: Freeway usage
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00494515
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 31 1990 12:00AM