The Potential Impact of Driving Cessation for Rural and Urban Older Adults: AAA LongROAD Study

The influence of driving on the well-being of older adults has been documented in multiple studies demonstrating the declines in social engagement, cognitive and physical function and survival following driving cessation (Choi, et al., 2013; Curl et al., 2014; Doebler, 2016; O’Connor et al., 2013; Tyrovolas et al., 2017). The motivation to continue driving may be especially pronounced for older adults in rural areas because of limited options for public and other alternative sources of transportation as well as the longer distances between regular destinations such as grocery stores, pharmacies, health care providers and locations for social activities (Byles & Gallienne, 2012; Donorfio et al., 2009; Johnson, 2002, Payyandadan et al., 2018). Thus, investigators speculate that older rural drivers may be more likely than urban drivers to continue driving despite various physical and cognitive limitations (e.g. Byles & Gallienne, 2012). This study examines whether there are urban-rural differences in how older adults rate the potential impact that driving cessation would have on their lives. Results confirm that older drivers from a rural area rate the prospect of driving cessation as more impactful on their lives and that these perceptions may influence their decision to continue driving despite health decline.

• Record URL:
  https://aaafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/19-0354_AAAFTS_Rural-Driving-Cessation-Brief_r2.pdf
• Supplemental Notes:
  • ©2019 AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
• Corporate Authors:

  AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

  Washington, DC  United States 
• Authors:
  • Strogatz, D
  • Mielenz, T J
  • Johnson, A K
  • Baker, I R
  • Robinson, M
  • Mebust, S P
  • Andrews, H F
  • Betz, M E
  • Eby, D W
  • Johnson, R M
  • Jones, V C
  • Leu, C S
  • Molnar, L J
  • Rebok, G W
  • Li, G
• Publication Date: 2019-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Research Brief
• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: 6p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aged drivers; Driving cessation; Impacts; Rural areas; Surveys; Urban areas
• Identifier Terms: Longitudinal Research on Aging Drivers (LongROAD)
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01713251
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 7 2019 9:19AM