REDUCTION AND CESSATION OF DRIVING AMONG OLDER DRIVERS IN MICHIGAN: FINAL REPORT

This research explored older drivers' characteristics and behaviors associated with the driving reduction/cessation process, with the intent of identifying transitions in the process that could be used as intervention opportunities for helping older drivers make informed decisions about driving. A telephone survey of people over age 65 with current and recently expired Michigan drivers' licenses was conducted with questions on demographics, health, functional status, activities outside the home, driving levels and comfort, perceptions of risk, plans for stopping driving, and behaviors and emotions related to stopping driving. There were 1,053 respondents with an average age of 74.2 (s.d.=5.9) years and an age range of 65 to 96 years. Because facing driving cessation is difficult, unpleasant, and for some people, impossible, a gently worded question about the drivers' anticipation of problems with driving ability in the next five years was tested as a concept by which to categorize drivers who might be in the reduction/cessation process. Behaviors associated with driving reduction, such as amount of and decreases in driving, and avoidance of and discomfort of driving under adverse conditions, were observed to be related to the answers to this question, as were other factors such as self-reported overall health, vision, and functional status. The findings should be useful to those interested in assisting older drivers in adjusting to their changing abilities and in making plans for sustaining their mobility to meet their transportation and other needs that enhance the quality of life.