Health Factors, Driving Confidence, and Perceived Driving-Related Ability Among Older Drivers

Introduction

Previous research indicates that driving confidence for older drivers may be associated with self-regulatory driving behaviors and avoidance of more difficult driving situations. Both driving confidence and perceived driving-related ability could influence older drivers’ likelihood to drive, which could limit their mobility. This research brief examines the relationship between different indicators of older drivers’ health and social support and their perceived driving-related ability and driving confidence using data from the AAA Longitudinal Research on Aging Drivers (LongROAD) study.

Methodology

Data from 2,989 participants from the AAA LongROAD study were analyzed. The LongROAD study was a multisite prospective cohort study that collected data from older drivers. Two linear mixed-effects regression models were conducted, one predicting perceived driving-related ability and the other predicting driving confidence. Each model included four health-related independent variables (mental, physical, social, and cognitive health), while controlling for age group, gender, time point, and data collection site.

Key Findings

Results indicated significant positive associations between physical, mental, social, and cognitive health factors and self-reported perceived driving-related ability. Although higher physical and mental scores were associated with higher perceived driving-related ability for both males and females, these associations were weaker among females. These findings suggest that physical and mental health may play a more prominent role in shaping perceived driving-related ability among males than females.

Compared with participants aged 65–69 years, physical and cognitive factors were more strongly associated with perceived driving-related ability among participants aged 80 years and older. In contrast, the association between social factors and perceived driving-related ability was weaker in the 80 years and older age group. The results suggest that perceived driving-related ability among participants aged 80 years and older appeared to be more closely linked to physical and cognitive health than to social health.

The results showed that higher social and cognitive scores were associated with greater driving confidence. A significant effect was found for age group; relative to participants aged 65–69 years, participants aged 75–79 years and 80 years and older reported lower driving confidence. The relationships between the four health factors and driving confidence did not differ by gender. However, the relationships of physical and cognitive health with driving confidence differed by age group. Compared with participants aged 65–69 years, physical and cognitive factors were more strongly associated with driving confidence among participants aged 80 years and older. The results suggest that physical and cognitive health may be especially relevant to driving confidence among the oldest participants.

These findings suggest that physical, cognitive, mental, and social health may be useful considerations when supporting older adults’ driving confidence and mobility. Interventions or educational materials that help older drivers recognize how health changes relate to driving-related confidence may support safer self-regulation and continued driving independence.