Older Drivers Ed.A look at the current and future status of older drivers in the US

Fall 2009

Why older drivers? 2007

37.9 million aged 65+ yrs old 13% of the total population

30 million (15%) of licensed U.S. drivers are 65+ Up 18% from 1996

2025 25% of the driving population will be age 65+

2050 88.5 million aged 65+ yrs old

20% of the total population Fastest growing segment is the 85+ yrs old

Average life expectancy In 2005, life expectancy for a 65 yr old was another

18.7 years (20 yrs if female, 17.2 if male)

Historically Loose Regulation Licensing

Often little more than ID 1903

Massachusetts (exam 1920) Missouri (exam 1952)

1954 South Dakota

Exams 1908

Rhode Island (license 1908) 1959

South Dakota

The Modern License Learner’s Permit

14 to 16 years Restricted License

14 years, 3 months to 17 years Full License

16 to 21 years

License Renewal 4 years

AL, AR, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MI, MN, MS, NV, NJ, ND, OH, OK, PA, VT, WY

5 years AK, CA, DE, DC, IA, MD,

MA, NE, NH, RI, SD, TN, UT, WA, WV

6 years KS, ME, MO, TX

8 years FL, HI, NY, NC, OR, VA,

WI 10 years

CO, SC Until age 65

AZ Options (4 or 6; 4 or

8; 5 or 10) CT, GA, MT, NM

Even More Varied for Older Drivers 32 states have no accelerated renewal for older

drivers Others range from every 1 to 5 years

NC starts at 54 (8 vs. 5 yr renewal) TX starts at 85 (6 vs. 2 yr renewal)

Types of Regulations Vision exams

Starting from age 40 to 80 In person renewal Road test

Only in Illinois, age 75+ Physician review of physical and mental health

Only in DC, age 70+

What Affects Driving Abilities Health

Vision Hearing Cognition Reaction Time Motor Skills Muscle Strength Joint Mobility Neuropathy Medications

Environment Weather Traffic Time of Day Distance Length (time) of Trip Rural vs. Urban Side Street vs.

Highway Vehicle Type

Effects of Driving Cessation on Health Older adults who cease driving have poorer

health than those who continue to drive. Unclear whether driving cessation itself results in

health declines or whether it subsequently exacerbates health declines over time. Transition is associated with health declines (physical and

social functioning, physical performance, physical role) General health declines more sharply following driving

cessation

Depression Decline in self-efficacy Decreased access to goods, resources and social

activities

Gender Differences Women

Self-regulate more often Stop sooner than necessary

Lower perceived control Lower perceived confidence Lower perceived driving skill

Live longer May have to resume role as primary driver due to

decline in husband’s health or his death In heterosexual pairs, women are not often the

primary driver