SAFE OLDER DRIVER: SENSORY AND MEDICAL CHARACTERISTICS

This paper attempts to identify characteristics related to safe driving in older individuals. The study sample included 822 community-dwelling adults aged 55-90 who were interviewed and tested on visual and physical performance at baseline (1989-1991) and follow-up (1993-1995). For defining safe and unsafe behavior, self-reported driving characteristics from the questionnaire and information on adverse driving events from Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) records were used. 54% of drivers reported that they limited their driving; vision-related reasons were the most commonly cited. Significant correlates of driving self-restriction in men were presence of a cataract, physical disability, hearing impairment, and increasing blood pressure; in women, stroke, poor depth perception, increasing numbers of medications, and low income were significant correlates of driving self-restriction. Significant correlates of accidents/moving violations in DMV records were poor vision and better hearing and balance test results in men; and high income, living alone, and better walking performance in women. It is concluded that self-restriction is an effective means of reducing risk of crashes in older adults, and older adults seem to recognize the conditions that impair their driving. Many individuals who are unaware that they have such conditions would restrict their driving if the condition was made known.

• Corporate Authors:

  American Association for Retired Persons

  Andrus Foundation, 601 E Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20049
• Publication Date: 1996-6

Language

• English

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aged; Aged drivers; Automobile driving; Crash risk forecasting; Diseases and medical conditions; Driver records; Persons with disabilities; Physical condition; Questionnaires; Self describing data; State motor vehicle departments; Traffic safety; Vision disorders; Visual perception
• Uncontrolled Terms: Medical characteristics
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Society; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00792535
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Final Report
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 4 2003 12:00AM