Who Are the Medically at Risk?

Just because someone is old, does not necessarily make them an at-risk driver.  In fact, the research shows that older adults are generally safe drivers (1) and it is not until advanced aging crash rates significantly increase (2). 

However, with increasing age, there are increased medical conditions that impact driving capacities. Thus, it is not older drivers per se that are unsafe, it is the medically at-risk driver that needs to be identified and supported through appropriate evaluation and intervention.  A medically at-risk driver can be any age, although, certainly, older adults have increased conditions, such as dementia or other cognitive impairments.

What we do know about older drivers. 

  • Older drivers are generally safe drivers (1). 
  • As one ages, drivers tend to self restrict (3).
  • We all age differently.  

HOWEVER…. 

  • Clear evidence: with aging: increased processing speed.
  • We will outlive our ability to drive!
  • Men – 6 years 
  • Women – 10 years

Why is driving such an issue for older adults? 

  • Many older adults live in suburban & rural areas (8).
  • Driving will remain the primary choice and personal mode of transportation (1,9).
  • Decision to stop driving has adverse consequences (10-11).
  • Older adults want to age in their communities (12).
  • Want and need to continue driving to maintain health & quality of life (12).

 

Who Are the Medically at Risk?
Why Occupational Therapy?
Collaboration with ECU Health for Fitness to Drive
Research Studies

References 

  1. Dickerson, A. E., Molnar, L., Bédard, M., Eby, D. W., Classen, S., & Polgar, J. (2019). Transportation and Aging: An Updated Research Agenda for Advancing Safe Mobility. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 38(12), 1643-1660. /10.1177/0733464817739154
  2. Tefft, B.C. (2017). Rates of Motor Vehicle Crashes, Injuries and Deaths in Relation to Driver Age, United States, 2014-2015(Research Brief). Washington, D.C.: AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
  3. Dickerson, A.E., Molnar, L.J., Bédard, M., Eby, D.W., Berg-Weger, M., Choi, M., Greigg, J., Horowitz, A., Meuser, T., Myers, A. O’Connor, M., & Silverstein, N. (2019). Transportation and Aging: An Updated Research Agenda for Advancing Safe Mobility among Older Adults Transitioning from Driving to Non-Driving. The Gerontologist, 59(2),215-221, doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnx120.
  4. Wood, J. M., Horswill, M. S., Lacherez, P. F., & Anstey, K. J. (2013). Evaluation of screening tests for predicting older driver performance and safety assessed by an on-road test. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 50, 1161-1168. doi:10.1016/j.aap.2012.09.009.
  5. Anderson, S. W., Aksan, N., Dawson, J. D., Uc, E. Y., Johnson, A. M., & Rizzo, M. (2012). Neuropsychological assessment of driving safety risk in older adults with and without neurologic disease. Journal of clinical and experimental neuropsychology, 34(9), 895-905. doi:10.1080/13803395.2011.630654 [doi].
  6. Anstey, K. J., Horswill, M. S., Wood, J. M., & Hatherly, C. (2012). The role of cognitive and visual abilities as predictors in the Multifactorial Model of Driving Safety. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 45, 766-774. doi:10.1016/j.aap.2011.10.006
  7. Foley, D., Heimovitz, H. K., Guralnik, J. M., & Brock, D. B. (2002). Driving Life Expectancy of Persons Aged 70 Years and Older in the United States. American Journal of Public Health, 92(8), 1284-1289. doi:10.2105/ajph.92.8.1284.
  8. Rosenbloom, S. (2012). The travel and mobility needs of older persons now and in the future. In J. D. A. Coughlin, L. (Ed.), Aging America and Transportation (pp. 39–54). New York: Springer Publishing. 
  9. Coughlin, J. F., & D’Ambrosio, L. A. (2012). Purpose of this volume. In C. J.F. & D. A. L.A (Eds.), Aging in America and transportation: Personal choices and public policy. New York: Springer Publishing Company. 
  10. Unsworth, C., Dickerson, A.E., Gélinas, I., Harries, P., Margot-Cattin, I., Mazer, B. Stapleton, T., Swanepoel, L., Timmer, A., Van Niekerk, L., & Vrkljan, B. (2021). Linking people and activities through community mobility: an international comparison of the mobility patterns of older drivers and non-drivers. Ageing and Society, 1-26. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X20001968 
  11.  Chihuri et al., (2016). Driving cessation and health outcomes in older adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 64, 332-341. 10.1111/jgs.13931 
  12. Kerschner, H.K. & Silverstein, N.M. (2018). Introduction to Senior Transportation: Enhancing Community Mobility and Transportation Services. Routledge Press