Details:

Creators:
Molnar, L.J. ; Eby, D.W. ; Roberts, J.S. ; St. Louis, R. ; Langford, J.
Molnar, L.J. ; Eby, D.W. ; Roberts, J.S. ; St. Louis, R. ; Langford, J. Less -
Corporate Contributors:
University of Michigan. Transportation Research Institute
Subject/TRT Terms:
[+]
Aged Aged Drivers Older Automobile Drivers--United States--Psychology Older People--Transportation--United States Questionnaires. Surveys Traffic Safety
Publication/ Report Number:
M-CASTL-2009-04
Resource Type:
Tech Report
Geographical Coverage:
Michigan
Corporate Publisher:
Michigan Center for Advancing Safe Transportation Throughout the Lifespan
Abstract:
Appropriate self-regulation of driving; that is, adjusting one’s driving patterns by driving less or avoiding specific

situations in which one feels unsafe or uncomfortable, shows considerable promise as a strategy for compensating for

functional declines and enabling older drivers to extend the time period over which they can safely drive. However,

there is considerable variation across studies on self-regulation, making it difficult to determine the extent of selfregulatory

practices by older drivers. The purpose of this project was to improve our understanding of the process of

self-regulation by older drivers and how it relates to important driver characteristics including sex, confidence in

driving ability, and functional abilities by: 1) developing a computer-based questionnaire instrument for use by

jurisdictions in the United States and elsewhere to measure, in a comprehensive manner, the self-regulatory practices

employed by older drivers; and 2) pilot testing the instrument with a sample of older drivers comprised of individuals

with clinically-determined functional impairments in vision, cognition, or psychomotor ability, as well as normally

functioning older adults recruited from the general population. Feedback on the computer-based questionnaire

instrument was positive, with most participants considering the questions easy to read and understand (98.5% and

89.1%, respectively) and finding the length to be reasonable (93.4%). Most (91.2%) were satisfied with the

computer format, despite the fact that only 11% described their level of experience with computers as high. Older

participants were less satisfied with the computer format, although satisfaction was still high (81.6%). Overall,

almost three-quarters of participants reported that if given a choice, they would prefer to take the questionnaire on a

computer. Results indicate that overall, participants reported few life-goals changes with the exception of buying a

different vehicle in the past year. Sizable numbers of participants reported that they try to avoid a variety of specific

driving circumstances (e.g., driving at night, in rush hour traffic, in bad weather, and at night in bad weather). Many

planned out their trips ahead of time or reduced overall travel by combining trips. A majority tried to avoid in-vehicle

distractions with the exception of changing radio stations. Very few reported having made modifications to their

vehicles during the past year to make driving easier. Differences by sex, recruitment population (general versus

clinic), and age group are discussed.


Format:
PDF
Collection(s):
US Transportation Collection University Transportation Centers
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:f06c4f58ffb3eeacc56b13f4557563e596159ec9c7212464aae19cc75e370831
Download URL:
https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/18007/dot_18007_DS1.pdf
File Type:

Supporting Files

• No Additional Files

More +